106 Journal New York Entomological Society, [Voi. ix. 



Meeting of October i, 1901. 



Held at the American Museum of Natural History. Vice-President Kearfott in 

 the chair. Eight members and two visitors present. 



Mr. Frank W. Holms was elected an active member of the Society. 



The matter relating to the advisability of holding one meeting a month wa^ dis- 

 cussed, but no definite action was taken. 



Mr. Joutel recorded the capture of the caterpillars of Isochates heutenmuUeri on 

 Staten Island, N. Y. (see ante, p. 190). 



Mr. Schaeffer exhibited specimens of Xylophilus mels/ieitneri, piceus, taken by 

 him in the Highlands, N. J. He said that these species are generally rare in collec- 

 tions, which is due to the peculiar habits of the same. When beaten from branches 

 into the umbrella they are difficult to detect amongst the rubbish. They remain mo- 

 tionless for a few seconds, and suddenly take flight. X. subfasciatus and fasciatus, 

 which were also taken, are comparatiuely slow and can be readily seen and bottled. 

 A', mehheimeri was taken only on hickory, X. piceus on oak, X. fasciatus and sub- 

 fasciatus on dogwood. The last two species are common and always found in com- 

 pany with the Staphylinid, Palaminiis tcstaceus. He also showed a specimen of 

 Cafius sericeus taken at Highlands, N. J., this being the first record of its occurrence 

 in New Jersey. The very rare PsammcBcus desjardinsi, known from the Madeira 

 Islands and in North America from Oregon to California, was taken by him in his 

 home, resting on a piece of white cloth. A collection of local Cioidse was also exhib- 

 ited by Mr. Schaeffer. After discussion, adjournment. 



Meeting of October 15, 1901. 



Held at the American Museum of Natural History. President Beuteniriiiller in 

 the chair. Eight members and four visitors present. 



A letter from Mr. Joseph Kittel was read, inviting the members of the Society to 

 visit his property, the "Herbert Domain," in Tennessee, which he thought would 

 prove to be a good collecting ground. On motion, a vote of thanks was extended to 

 Mr. Kittel. 



The advisability of holding one meeting a month was again discussed, but all 

 the members present were in favor of holding two meetings. 



Mr. Beutenmiiller spoke on some Catocala larvas which he raised during the past 

 summer. He stated that it was rather impossible to separate the larvae of C. mulier- 

 cula and C. hadia, though the imagos are very distinct. He further stated that the 

 larvae of C. badia, muliercula, antinympha and censors were day feeders, which is 

 contrary to the habits of many of the other species of the genus, which feed at night. 

 Colored drawings of a number of species, as well as a collection of Catocalas, from 

 Dr. William Barnes, were exhibited. 



Mr. Joutel spoke on a Geometrid caterpillar, which has the peculiar habit of cov- 

 ering itself with grains of sand or the like, and suggest that this habit may be a means 

 of protection for the larva (see ante, p. 191). 



Mr. Schaeffer recorded the capture of the larva of Ceratomia catalpa at Lakehurst, 

 N. J. Mr. Beutenmiiller called attention to the social habits of the larvae of this 

 species, and stated that it would undoubtedly before long extend its range northward. 

 Dr. Van Dyke said that the larvae of Philampelius vitis in California had similar 

 habits to catalpa. 



