1904 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 81 



NOTE ON THE COLUMBINE BOEEE 



(Papaipema purpurifascia, G. & E-.)- 

 By Arthur Gibson, Ottawa. 



An interesting occurrence of the larvae of Papaiperr^a purpurifascia, 

 G. & E. was observed by the writer in the latter part of July, and begin- 

 ning of August last. "This borer cannot be considered a common species 

 in Canada, but ^t seems to have the habit of occurring occasionally 

 in sufficient numbers to do serious harm to cultivated plants of the genus 

 Aquilegia. In 1893, Dr. Fletcher tells me, the larvae of this species did 

 considerable damage at Ottawa to columbine plants in gardens, but since 

 that date it has not been seen until the present year, when it was noticed 

 in several laeds at the Central Experimental Farm. Specimens of the 

 larvae were also received from Mr. D. Francis, of Perth, Ont., on the 27th 

 July, with the statement that they had destroyed nearly all of the Aquile- 

 gias in one of his gardens. He also stated that he had a similar visita- 

 tion when living at Hamilton, Ont., some ten years ago. The most serious 

 infestation this year at Ottawa occurred in a large bed of hybrids of the 

 beautiful Eussian variety, Aquilegia oxysepala. In this bed of 135 plants 

 fully 70 per cent, were injured, many being killed outright. 



Larvae were found boring in the roots on the 28th July, all in their 

 mature stage. Many had left the plants, doubtless to pupate, as three 

 pupae were found in the earth near the plants, and one pupa at the very 

 base of the leaves, on the surface of the ground. On the 4th August more 

 full grown larvae were collected from the roots, also one pupa, and three 

 other larvae which had begun to pupate. These three latter and the pupa 

 were found near the plants about an inch below the surface. At this date 

 many of the infested plants showed noticeable sign of injury. 



The larvae bore inside the stems of the plants and gradually work their 

 way down into the roots, which are large and tuberous. Here they con- 

 sume the inner part and reach maturity. In many instances the whole 

 of the inside of the secondary roots had been eaten, nothing being left but 

 the outside covering. The following description was taken of the larvae; 

 Length, 37 mm.; one specimen measured 40 mm. at rest, and 46 mm. when 

 extended, width at centre, 5.5 mm. ; head well rounded, rather quadrate, 

 slightly depressed at vertex, almost tawny, paler towards mouth parts which* 

 are dark ; ocelli black in a black field ; from ocelli to outer edge of the thor- 

 acic shield there is a dark band, more conspicuous in some specimens than 

 in others. Thoracic shield, noticeably wider than head, almost the same 

 colour but paler and margined distinctly on each side with black. Dorsum 

 of body salmon colour, below spiracles paler with none of the salmon colour ; 

 some specimens much brighter dorsally than others. Dorsal stripe dis- 

 tinct, but pale, same colour as venter. Tubercles black each in a black 

 spot, the size of which varies in different specimens; setae inconspicuous. 

 Laterally there are also a number of black spots, some almost in a line 

 with the spiracles, others above and below. Spiracles black, elongate. 

 Anal shield in most specimens wholly black, but in some reddish centrally. 

 Thoracic feet fulvous darkened at tips; prolegs pale. 



From the above description it will be seen that the larvae had a dis- 

 tinct dorsal stripe, but no subdorsal marking as is mentioned in the des- 

 cription of the mature larva by M. V. Slingerland (Can. Ent. XXIX, 

 161). In H. Bird's description of the full grown larva no stripes of any kind 

 are mentioned. 



6 EN. 



