ENTOMOLOGY, 667 



Proceedings of the Entomolog'ical Society of Washington ( Prnc. Ent. Soc. 

 Washington, 4 {1901), No. 4, PP- 347-527, figs. 31). — This number of the proceedings 

 of the society contains many papers on entomological subjects of a technical nature, 

 short notes, biographical notes, and reports of tri))S in various localities for the pur- 

 pose of collecting and observing the habits of insects. Special mention may be made 

 of a few articles of more or less economic value. 



On the insect fauna of the mistletoe, E. A. Schimrz (pp. 392-394). — In Arizona the mis- 

 tletoe is much infested by Lecanium phoradendri. An undescribed species of snout 

 beetle was found ])oring into the twigs of mistletoe and finally causing the death of 

 the plant. Twigs thus infected may not be killed at once, but serve as favorable 

 places for the development of bark beetles. 



Remarks on. the spittle insect {Clastoptera xanthocephala) , O. Heidemann (pp. 399-402, 

 pi. 1 ) . — This insect is reported as causing some injury to chrysanthemums. Ragweed 

 is considered as l)eing the original food plant of the species. The habits of the 

 immature forms of the insect are briefly described. 



. TJie ant decapitating fly, T. Pergande (pp. 497-501). — Apocephalus pergandei is 

 described by D. W. Coquillett as a new species. The insect was found parasitic in 

 the head of the carpenter ant ( Camponotus pennsylvanicus) . The fly is described and 

 brief notes are given on its habits. 



A season\^ e.rperience vith figs and fig insects in California, E. A. Schimrz (pp. 

 502-507) .—A historical account is given of attempts to raise Smyrna figs in California 

 and to introduce Blnstophaga grossorum for the purpose of fertilizing the figs. At 

 Fresno, Cal., in 1900, it was estimated that there were enough female fig insects 

 to inhabit 20,000 figs. At Niles, Cal., early in April, winter figs containing fig 

 insects were received from Fresno and established in a fig arboretum containing a 

 number of Italian caprifig trees. This experiment in establishing a second colony of 

 the fig insects was successful. The insect underwent only 2 generations at Niles 

 during the year. 



Insect record for 1900, C. M. Weed {New Hampshire Sta. Bui. 81, pp. 9-22, 

 figs. 11 ) .— A striking reduction in the number of the forest tent caterpillars is reported 

 and is considered due to unfavorable weather conditions, especially to a frost which 

 occurred on May 11, and during which the minimum temperature of 16° F. was. 

 recorded. The caterpillars of the Antiopa butterfly were also much less abundant 

 than usual, and the cause of this partial disajspearance is believed to be the attack 

 of parasites, for instance, Telenomus graplse. The American tent caterpillar occurred 

 in large numbers during 1900. Tarnished plant bug was recorded as injurious to 

 sweet peas. Imported currant borer was abundant on currant bushes in Durham. 

 In some parts of the State considerable damage was done by locusts, especially by 

 Melanoplus atlanis and Dissosteira Carolina. Many of the grasshoppers were destroyed 

 by a fungus disease. Brief notes are given on Cacceda cercmvorana. The eggs are 

 said to be laid on the bark of choke cherries near the ground. Brief popular notes 

 are also given on the occturrence and habits of Bucculatrix canadensisella. Hunter's 

 butterfly, monarch butterfly, and walking stick. 



Entomological work and notes for 1900, W. W. Froggatt {Agr. Gaz. New 

 South Wales, 12 {1901), No. 7, pp. 794-805, ph. 2). — During the season locust plagues 

 of considerable severity occurred in some parts of the country. Formulas are given 

 for the preparation of mixtures of bran and arsenic, and bran and Paris green. A 

 number of parasites of the locust are described, among which mention may be made 

 of Masicera pacltytyli and several species of Ichneumon flies. 



The weed weevil {Lixus mastersi) is usually found feeding upon a species of Ama- 

 ranthus. During the season, however, the author observed it as an orchard pest. 

 The insect was especially injurious to young grapevines on which it devoured the 

 young buds. 



Carrot seeds were found infested with Sitodrepa panicea. The insect is reported 



