THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 63 



secured eight females. I endeavored to ascertain if the insects were 

 ovipositing in the twigs, but they are so small and inconspicuous that it 

 was impossible to find them without beating them from the trees. Sub- 

 sequent beatings in the same locality, and careful search again last May 

 failed to turn up any more. It seems probable, however, that the insect 

 breeds in the young shoots of the spruce (as none could be found on 

 adjoining trees or shrubs of other species), and some of our collectors, 

 knowing when and where to search, may succeed in discovering if such 

 be the case. It may also live in other conifers, as Provancher records 

 taking the female on the buds of white pine, on which I have also taken 

 one specimen. 



Xiphydria canadensis, Prov. ? In an article on X. albicomis (" A 

 new foe to the maple." Rep. Eut. Soc, Ont., 1883, p. 40), I stated that 

 some of the males had the antennae black, as in X. Provancheri, Cress., 

 and that this species and X. canadensis were probably only varieties of 

 X. albicomis, with which may be also included probably X. maculata, 

 Say. In re-studying my specimens I find a female which seems to be 

 distinct, but which, however, does not agree with descriptions of any of 

 the species quoted above as regards markings, although it agrees with 

 X. canadensis in having the " head rugose except upon the vertex," and 

 not wishing to create an unnecessary new name I have placed it under 

 that. It has the following characteristics which are not given in the 

 other descriptions : — Antennas black, 16-jointed only, the second joint 

 much shorter than in albicomis, not more than half as long as the 

 third ; no white markings above the antennae on the front, but an almost 

 square patch below and a small spot on each side of clypeus, adjoining a 

 larger spot under the eye. There is also a small spot on the posterior 

 margin of the head behind each eye, and two short lines above ocelli 

 which are differently situated from those of albicomis. In that species 

 the lines start about on a level with ocelli and stop before attaining the 

 occipital margin, while in the specimen under consideration they start 

 from the occipital margin and stop at some distance above ocelli. The 

 coxae are also uniformly rufous instead of black, or blackish, and the 

 markings of thorax are different. The usual white spots occur on seg- 

 ments one to seven of abdomen, with the exception of the sixth. 



Xiphydria rufiventris, Cress. This addition to the Canadian fauna 

 has been made by Mr. Fletcher, who has a fine female example taken last 

 year. 



