I 



1915 EXTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 17 



the star-nosed mole, that feeds on the larvee, is dug out and killed whenever 

 possible. This can probably be defended, as the undermining of the moles often 

 causes breaks in the rows of vegetables due to the wilting of the plants. 



Last fall the larvge of Metzneria lappella Linn., were exceedingly abundant in 

 the heads of the Small Burdock (Arciiuiu minus Bernh. ), In some infected plants 

 almost every head contained from one to three occupants. A collection was made 

 and kept in a cool place during the winter and a large number of moths emerged in 

 June. Eev. Dr. Fyles first reported this insect in 1898, having found it at Levis^ 

 Quebec, where he thinks it was probably first introduced into Canada. It haa 

 'been in Toronto at least since 1904. In looking over the published life histories 

 of this insect I have not seen mentioned the following feature that appears to be a 

 distinct adaptation to its mode of life. After the moths emerge from the seed 

 heads, small silken tubes are to be seen projecting beyond the scales of the 

 involucre. Through each tube a moth has been able to pass safely the hooked 

 points of the scales and reach the outside. These tubes are either formed by the 

 larvae in the spring before pupation or are a part of their silken, winter envelope 

 which has been torn away and carried out by the moth during its emergence. I 

 have not yet definitely decided by observation between the two explanations. 

 Owing to the large number of seeds that are prevented from germinating by the 

 larvge of this species, it is usually considered to be beneficial, but the fact that 

 fewer seedlings will thus appear at one place may operate favorably to the burdock 

 owing to the natural thinning out that has resulted. 



While in the vicinity of Toronto the good collecting grounds are gradually 

 being reduced in number, some still remain. Among the best of these is the Mt. 

 Dennis locality mentioned above. In that district a level depressed stretch, several 

 acres in extent, of rich peaty soil produces a rank growth of asters, golden rods 

 and other plants adapted to such a habitat. Skirting this low-lying area are 

 sloping ridges still covered with the oaks and maples of the original forest, while 

 willows, dogwood and viburnum form a transition zone between the highland and 

 the typical meadow flora. On the IT'th of July, while Mr. Nash and I were col- 

 lecting over the low land, we found the butterfly Melifaea phaeton Drury, quite 

 plentiful. Numbers of them were flitting about in company with the more common 

 Fritillaries and Meadowbrowns. We captured a dozen specimens, and could have 

 taken many more. The food plant of the species, Turtle Head (Chelone glahrah.,) 

 is not plentiful in the locality, but Mr. Nash found colonies of the larvae estab- 

 lished on this plant later in the reason. 



A very casual examination of gall literature reveals a large number of species, 

 the producers of which are undescribed. To this group belongs the iCynipid gall 

 on the petiole of Wild Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana Duch.). The deformity 

 consists of an elongated cylindrical enlargement that when mature shows shallow 

 annular constrictions at the junction of the larval cells giving the gall a somewhat 

 segmented appearance. As the leaves, on which the galls are produced, wither 

 before these are mature it is very difiicult to find specimens at that stage. The 

 plan that suggested itself was to transplant the host where it could be kept under 

 observation. From material thus treated, producers emerged from May 12th to 

 15th. Specimens were sent to Wm. Beutenmiiller, New York, and he reports them 

 to be an undescribed species of Diastrophus. 



■ The sawfly gall on the base of the petiole of Salix hmnilis Marsh, is common 

 in High Park of this citv. and last fall it was pnrticularly plentiful. Induced by 

 this fact to forget several unsuccessful attempts to rear the producer, I collected 



