Jan., '03] 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 



Two specimens, bred June 2, from larvae obtained in a de- 

 cayed log at Overbrook, near Philadelphia, Pa., April 17. 



Larva yellowish-white and similar in general appearance to 

 that of X}'lophagi(s abdominalis, but much smaller (8 mm.). 

 Pupa reddish brown, the antennal processes proportionately 

 larger and curving backwards with a small anterior projection 

 at the base of each, extending toward the center, but hardly 

 meeting. 



Xylophagus abdominalis Loew. 



On March 20, 1897, I obtained at Riverton, N. J., from be- 

 neath the bark of a dead pine, in the early stages of decay, 

 half a dozen larvae, which proved, on reaching maturity (April 

 5) to be A", abdominalis described from Texas. Being placed 

 in a small glass jar two of the larvae pupated in a few days ; 

 while two showed their carnivorous habits by thrusting their 

 sharp mouth parts into the other two. This act of cannibalism 

 was probably forced upon them by being confined in such close 

 quarters with no other food, as they usually feed on various 

 wood-eating larvae. The larvae were represented by two sizes, 

 the larger, which proved to be the 9 , was about 21 mm. in 

 length, while the smaller, which developed into a male, was 



only 1 6 mm. Larva white, cylindrical, 

 composed of twelve segments (including 

 the head) and covered with a thin parch- 

 ment-like skin ; the three segments back 

 of the pointed black head are chitinized 

 above ; entire in one, in others divided 

 into two or three squares ; the last seg- 

 ment has a chitinized plate above, termi- 

 nating in two hook-like processes ; at 

 the bases of the fourth to the ninth seg- 

 ments are rows of transverse bristly 

 pseudopods ; similar rows of bristles are 

 also present above ; on the sides in the 



Kir i Pic 2 



middle of each segment are tufts of three 

 or four white hairs. (Fig. i.) 



Pupa horn-color, the anterior end bearing prominent, annulated, an- 

 tennal processes, while below the developing mouth-parts are also visi. 

 ble ; on the thoracic section the developing wings and legs are folded on 



