THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 177 



Indian corn, the peculiar larvae of the last boring the roots in all direc- 

 tions in sandy soil. M. criMilosus pupates in July and forms imago in 

 September. The Corn-root Worm, Diabrotica lo?igicorms, is reported as 

 seriously affecting crops in Southern Illinois. The common pale Flea 

 Beetle, Systema blanda, was bred from larvae feeding on kernels of sprout- 

 ing corn in the earth. Epiccerus imbricator taken feeding on leaves of 

 pear ; eggs laid in single layer on leaves, concealed by the insect fastening 

 together the opposed surfaces of the leaves. Larva of Sphenophorus 

 parvulus found to infest the roots of meadow grass (timothy). The 

 midge sucks the sap from stems of wheat and corn. The Corn-plant 

 Louse, Aphis maidis, was very injurious ; observation shows that they are 

 strictly dependent on the ant, Lasiiis alienus, which mines along the 

 principal roots, collects the plant lice and conveys them into these burrows 

 and there watches over and protects them. The ants have nothing to do 

 with the hibernation of the lice, their winter nests never containing them 

 in any form, either in corn-fields or other situations ; the facts indicate 

 that the Hce hibernate as wingless females on the earth of fields previously 

 infested. The Currant Worm, Nematus ventricosus, was mentioned as a 

 case of retarded development. Mr. Bethune had noticed a similar case 

 in Attacus promethea. The Root Web-worm, Crambus zeellus, was very 

 destructive to corn. in IlHnois. A detailed description was given of its 

 earth nest and the method and character of injury done to corn by this 

 species. It hibernates as a larva, pupates in a tubular nest in June, 

 emerging June and July. 



A paper was read from H. Garman : Contribution to Life History of, 

 Aphis maidis. 



Paper read from W. L. Deveraux : A Dangerless Insecticide for Col- 

 lecting Bottles. The best vegetable container of prussic acid is the bark 

 of the wild cherry, Primus serotina, to be used for the Serotina bottle for 

 young collectors, like the Laurel bottle of European entomologists. 



In the discussions that took place. 



Prof. Forbes stated that the attacks of myrmis had considerably les- 

 sened the number of grasshoppers in Illinois. 



The President called attention to the unusual number of Aphides in 

 New York State. They had been found on apple, black currant, tomato, 

 and on potato in the Eastern States. The hop crop was almost destroyed 

 by them in New York. 



