ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 57 



A new dipterous parasite of bats, T. D. A. Cockebexl (Canad. Ent., 42 

 (If)lO), No. 2, pp. 5'J, 60). — The Iiippoboscid here described as Trichobius cory- 

 norhini n. sp. was taken from a bat {(Joryiwrhinus macrotis pallescens), col- 

 lected in Boulder County, Colo. 



Rat fleas in German East Africa, A. Schubekg and P. Manteufel (Ar?>. K. 

 Gsndhtsamt., 33 {1910), No. 3, pp. 559-561; abs. in Bui. Inst. Pasteur, 8 

 (1910), No. 10, p. 476).— Of 258 fleas taken from Mus rattus, M. decumanus, 

 and M. alexandrinus at Daressalam, 172 or 66.6 per cent were Loemopsylla 

 cheopis, 2S or 10.9 per cent were L. scopulifcr, and 58 or 22.5 per cent were 

 Sarcopsylla gallinacca. 



The plague in North China, J, J. Mullownkv (Jour. Amer. Med. Assoc, 56 

 (1911), No. 10, p. 737). — It is stated that the rat and the rat flea apparently 

 do not have as much to do with the spread of pneumonic plague as is the case 

 in epidemics of the bubonic type. " It has been conclusively shown that the 

 disease, in the pneumonic form, is transmitted by the sputum and by contact 

 with persons sick of the disease, and that the wearing of respirators is good 

 prophylaxis." 



Papers on cereal and forage insects. — The timothy stem-borer (Mordel- 

 listena ustulata), a new timothy insect, W. .J. I'hillips (U. /S'. Dcpl. Arjr., 

 Bur. Ent. Bui. 95. pt. 1. pp. 9, pi. 1, figs. J/). — This new timothy insect has been 

 found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, boring in 

 the stems of timothy and in many cases traversing the entire length from the 

 top joint to the bulb. Thus far, however, it has not proved a serious pest, 

 having been found only in small numbers at any given point. It occurs in the 

 Middle and Southern States, the adults having been captured as far east as 

 Pennsylvania and been bred from material colleotod in Virginia. 



As a rule the eggs are deposited at or slightly below the center of the first 

 or second joint in timothy- but much farther down the stem in other grasses. 

 From here the larva bores into the center of the stem and then begins its 

 downward journey to the bulb or root. "This species has been reared from 

 timothy, orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) , quack grass (Agropyron sp.) and 

 Agrostis alba, while larvre that were supposedly this species have been found 

 in bluegrass (Boa spp.) and cheat (Bromus secalinus) ." 



Detailed technical descriptions are given of the egg, larva, and pupa. "The 

 larval stage covers a period of about 11 months. Nothing could be learned 

 about the number of molts, as the larvES will not develop if their galleries are 

 disturbed. The pupal stage varies from 11 to 16 days, depending, apparently, 

 upon the temperature. The adult beetles will live from 5 to 6 days in confine- 

 ment, but they will probably survive a much longer period in the open. The 

 insect hibernates in the larval stage. About the time freezing begins in the fall 

 the larvfe are down to the bulb or crown of the root, where they are well pro- 

 tected from cold." 



Three species of parasites have been bred from the larvge, namely, Het- 

 erospilus mordeUistenw in Ohio and Indiana, ScMzoprymnus phillipsi in In- 

 diana, and Merisus niordellistence in Ohio and Indiana. It is thought probable 

 that the parasitic enemies keep the beetles in check. In case of a serious out- 

 break it is recommended that a short crop rotation be adopted, allowing a field 

 to remain in timothy sod not more than 2 or 3 years, and thus preventing the 

 stem-borer from becoming well established. Borders of the fields and waste 

 places should be mowed frequently during the months of June and July. 



An insect pest in belladonna, P. E. F. PerredI;s (Brit, and Colon. Drug- 

 gist, 58 (1910), No. 5. pp. 107-109. figs. 3; Pharm. Jour. [Londo)i], 4. ser., 31 

 (1910), No. 2U1, PP. 135-137, figs. 3).— A flea beetle (Epitrix atropce) is reported 



