1905.] 185 



elytra, although this point is not nearly so distinct in cabinet spa imens. M. mar- 

 ghiaiis has the elytra bright I'ed, M. nidicola, distinctly, but not bright red, M. pulla, 

 dark brown. One of my specimens of M. marginalis has the margins of the 

 thorax only quite narrowly red. Tlie difference in the punctuation of the three 

 species is to my mind very distinct. — Norman H. Jot, Bradfield : Jult/ 3rd, 1905. 



[I have taken Microglosxa gentilin, Maerk., as well as M. pulla in debris of 

 hollow elm trees occupied by owls, in the Isle of Sheppey. The former species is 

 as a rule associated with Formica fuliginofia. — J. J. W.] 



Xanthandrun comtua, IJarri.t, occurring in May. — As Dr. Chapman suggests 

 (ante, p. 150) the probability of Xanthandrus comtux, Harris, being double brooded 

 in Britain it may be as well to record the fact that I took a specimen of this 

 Syrphid in the garden here on May 30th, 1903. It is a male, and v^as in such 

 perfect condition that it could only recently have emerged from the pupa. In my 

 experience the fly is rare here, only two other specimens having fallen to my net, 

 one ? on September I'nd, and one S on September 19th, 1902 — dates which are 

 much more in accordance ■with those given by Verrall. — C. R. Billups, Tower 

 House, East Grinstead : Julg 8tA, 1905. 



Exotic Dennaptera wanted. — I am preparing a revision and monograph of the 

 Dermaptera {senm striclo, i.e., Forjicularia) of the world, and would very gratefully 

 receive any material ; earwigs from Central and South Africa and from Australia 

 and China are especially wanted. — Malcolm Btjee, 23, Blomfield Court, Maida 

 Vale, W. : June 24:th, lyOo. 



Report of Woek of the Experiment Station of the Hawaiian Sugae 

 Planters' Association, Division of Entomology. Bulletin I, Pt. I, Leaf 

 Hoppers and theik Natural Enemies (Pt. i, Dryinidx). By R. C. L. Perkins. 

 Honolulu : May 21th, 19o5. 



The above Association may be congratulated on the interesting Bulletin with 

 which they have commenced this series of Entomological publications. The Life 

 History of the Dryinidse and their habits in relation to the Leaf Hoppers, of which 

 they are the Natural Enemies, is given by Mr. Perkins in a very interesting way. 

 Their parasitism has been utilized as a means of ridding the sugar canes of the 

 hopper. The Dryinids lay their eggs in the hoppers, and the larvae when hatched 

 feed upon the bodies of their hosts. These parasite larvae in their earlier stages are 

 enclosed in cases which project visibly from the body of the hopper. Those who 

 collect Homoptera in this country must know well the black seed-like objects often 

 to be seen projecting from the under-side of the thorax in many species, especially 

 in the genus Athysanus ; these are the larva cases of Oonatopus, a, genus of the 

 same family. The Association have found that by breeding Dryinids in large 

 numbers and turning them out on the sugar canes the ravages of the hopper can be 



