256 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



species of Biorhiza, I'hilonlx, aiul allied genera are taken up. Numerous illus- 

 trations of the .ualls formed accomimny the accounts. 



Ants of Formosa and the Philippines, W. ]M. Wmkeler {liul. Amci: Mas. 

 Nat. Jlist., .Hi (1 !)()!>), pp. 3S3-8.'i.j). — Twenty species are listed from Formosa 

 of whicli 2 si)ecies and 2 subspecies are described as new to science. In a 

 coniitU'te list here iiiven, of the species known to occur in the I'hilippine Archi- 

 pela,i,'<). 70 are recorded of which 2 are decribed as new to science. 



Papers on cereal and forage insects. The lesser clover-leaf weevil, F. M. 

 Wehstkr {U. S. Dcpt. Agr., Bur. Ent. Bui. 85, i)t. 1, pp. 12, figs. S).— This dis- 

 cusses the history of Phytonomus nigrirostrls, first in Europe showing that it 

 occurs from Scandinavia southward into Egypt and Asia Minor, then in America, 

 bringing out the fact that it is injurious only throughout the northern and 

 central Atlantic coast region, never having been abundant inland. It seems 

 jtrobable that the species was introduced into either Canada or New England 

 early in the last half of the last century. The diffusion of the weevil south- 

 ward is said to be more or less obscure, but it is suggested that it may have 

 been carried by streams or winds to the ocean, thence southward and deposited 

 by the tides on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. While known for some time 

 both to the north and south of the District of Columbia, only within the last 

 two years has it become at all abundant within the District. Notes are given 

 on interrupted investigations carried on there during 190!). 



In the vicinity of Washington, D. C, the adults come forth from their 

 hibernation in the fields as soon as warm weather starts the young growth of 

 the clover, probably during the last of March in ordinary seasons. Females 

 collected on April 1, during the somewhat cold and backward spring of 1909, 

 deposited eggs indoors on April 6. The egg period was found to vary from 

 7 days 20 hours to 8 days 12 hours. The larval period varies from 17 to 20 

 days, during which time 2 molts are passed. The pupal stage occupies normally 

 about days, and the entire period from egg to adult about 32 days. While 

 there is clearly but a single annual generation, the breeding season is greatly 

 prolonged, egg deposition probably covering upward of weeks and late in the 

 season all stages may be observed at the same time. While the larvae can 

 feed on all parts of the clover plants above ground, they prefer the tenderest 

 unfolding leaves and in the fields select these parts and feed among the folds; 

 later they attack the heads, both young and in full bloom. After emerging the 

 adults probably scatter abroad over the fields and hibernate among the leaves, 

 matted grass, and other rubbish. The red, mammoth, crimson, white, and 

 alsike clover, and alfalfa serve as food plants. Technical descriptions are given 

 of the stages. 



A tachinid {Anisia sp.) and a species of Bracon have been reared from the 

 larvae. The pupae are destroyed by a fungus (Empusa [Eiitoinophthora] 

 sphwrospcrma). 



A bibliography of 12 titles is appended. 



Papers on cereal and forage insects. — The slender seed-corn ground-beetle, 

 W. J. Phillips (U. S. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent. Bui. 85, pt. 2, pp. 13-28, figs. 6).— 

 This paper is based upon observations carried on for several years in the 

 vicinity of New Paris, Ohio. 



The pest (Clivina impressifrons) works below ground in the kernels of corn 

 and confines itself to swampy, peaty soils, sometimes as many as 15 or 20 indi- 

 viduals being found in or about a single hill. It has been reported from New 

 York and New Jersey and as far west as Kansas and Iowa. Descriptions are 

 given of its several stages, with life history notes. The larvae are said to devour 

 larvae and pupie of other insects and will, in confinement, destroy each other; 

 they are very difficult to rear and in no case can be carried further than 1 or 



