426 W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



venient observation. This has proved very desirable in the case of 

 thistles bearing Entylia hactriana and sweet clover infested with nymphs 

 of Stidocephala inermis and various species of the genus Ceresa. In such 

 instances only one plant of the host was brought into the garden, and it 

 was not found necessary to cover the plants since with no other food 

 plant in the vicinity the insects showed no inclination to migrate. The 

 same method was used in rearing Puhlilia concava, which is rare in the basin 

 but commonly found in other parts of the State on goldenrod. Small 

 plants of goldenrod were transplanted from fields and roadsides, and on 

 them were placed nymphs sent from Batavia, New York, by H. H. Knight. 

 In this manner all the life history data were obtained with the exception 

 of the oviposition and the first two instars. 



In connection with the work on this species experunents were made 

 to determine the validity of the theory that Puhlilia concava and Entylia 

 hactriana were sjmonyms or varieties of the same species. Specimens of 

 Publilia were placed on the thistle alone and with individuals of Entylia; 

 specimens of Entylia were placed on the goldenrod alone and with indi- 

 viduals of Publilia; certain colonies in each case were inclosed, while 

 others were allowed to change hosts at will. Careful observations were 

 made on habits and behavior, especially with reference to mating and to 

 the mingling of the forms. The results of these experiments will be the 

 subject of a special report, but it may be mentioned here that no evidence 

 has been found to show from a biological standpoint that the species 

 are not distinct. 



In the majority of cases, colonies inclosed in the field were visited at 

 least every third day and sometimes oftener. In this manner fairly 

 accurate data were obtained as to the progress of development. Note- 

 book records were kept containing the observations of each visit and 

 these records have been used as the basis for this study. Such field 

 work was made possible by the fact that colonies of most of the species 

 could be located in stations close to Ithaca, and regular routes worked out 

 by means of which all could be visited. 



Indoor breeding experiments fell into three groups: the hatching of 

 eggs from buds and twigs brought into the laboratory in early spring; 

 the rearing of nymphs on host plants that could be grown in the insectary; 

 and the observation of adults on food that could be maintained in a fresh 

 condition in the insectary. 



