220 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Dear Sir, — 



The cutting sound heard by Dr. Packard, and discovered to be two 

 black points used by the insect to cut its way out of prison, is not confined 

 to Luna. I have heard the same sound when Polyphemm was about to 

 leave its wintry mansion, but supposed it was done by the moth working 

 its feet against the softened part of the cocoon. The feet and legs seem 

 as strong when, the insect first emerges as they do any time afterwards ; 

 indeed it is surprising, after the exhaustive effort the insect must have 

 made to get through the tough cocoon, to see how readily it crawls up to 

 a convenient place for its ample wings to spread into shape and beauty. 

 As all breeders of moths are aware, the wings, when the moth first comes 

 out, are soft and weak, and are the last parts we should suppose would 

 assist in the arduous task. 



On two occasions I have heard a sharp report when Cecropin was 

 about to make its exit from the cocoon. The sound was similar to that 

 produced by toy torpedoes such as boys amuse themselves with. I have 

 thought perhaps the corrosive liquid used by the moth to soften the silk 

 might be of an explosive nature, and on coming in contact with the oxygen 

 of the air, might produce the sound. I should like to know if any of the 

 readers of the Can. Ent. have heard this remarkable sound, and what 

 their opinions are. Robert Bunker. Rochester, N. Y. 



Dear Sir,— 



SaperJa Candida Fab. made their appearance this year about twenty 

 days earlier than usual. Trees leafed out in this vicinity about thirty days 

 earlier than in ordinary seasons. Took June 2nd, 3 $ and 1 °. . 



June 6th, I took one pair of Saperda puncticollis Say on poison ivy 

 (Rhus toxicodendron L.) — the first of these handsome Sapcrdas taken in 

 this locality. 



June 1 2th, took the first Saperda Fayi Bland. This borer attacks the 

 limbs and stem (j4 to 1 % inches in diameter) of our wild thorn (Crataegus 

 crus-galli L. and C. iomeniosa L.), creating a gall-like, gnarly swelling, 

 weakening the branch so that it sometimes breaks off by the wind, and 

 often killing it. The beetle cuts its way out from one to three inches 

 above or below the swelling. In 1876 I took a % S. Fayi Aug. 15th. 



Chas. D. Zimmerman, Buffalo, N. Y. 



