82 



From the Saperda galls were reared two specimens of parasites. One of these is 

 Pimpla pedalis and the other belongs to the genus liracon, which we have yet been unable 

 to get named. 



Galls on the willow also yielded us a few specimens of the handsome Sesiid, Sciap- 

 teron trioincta, as named by Professor Fernald. The galls did not differ in appearance 

 exteinsilly from the others. Inside the gall a tunnel was made downward along the 

 centre for an inch. The whole cavity was lined with a soft, delicate, though very strong, 

 buff cocoon, and undisturbed in this silken bed the larva passed through its transforma- 

 tions to the moth. 



From Ilylesinus acuelatus, the Ash Scolytid, was reared a species of Bracon, pro- 

 nounced by Mr. Aphmead as probably a new species. 



From a species of trefoil, Plelea trifoliata, was reared a species of the Tineid genus 

 Ilyponomeuta. Wherever the shrub was found the thin white web was quite common 

 early in the spring before the leaves were out. The.se webs were always at the terminal 

 portions of the green shoots. Tlie caterpillars, entering the stalk usually at tlie terminal 

 bud, would bore down through the pith some three to six inches in the shoots connected 

 by the web. The larvae seem to remain in the stalk only part of the time, but spend the 

 remainder of the time above in the web. The twigs, of course, are killed down as far as the 

 iarva^ go, which greatly mars the symmetry and beauty of the bush. This habit of boring 

 is probably a generic characteristic, as several European species are mentioned as having 

 similar habits. 



THE POPLAR GONIOCTENA. 



BY A. .J. COOK, AGRICULTURAL COLLKGE, MICHIGAN. 



The past spring the poplars about the Michigan Agricultural College were seriously 

 and extensively defoliated hj a Ohrysomelid beetle, Gonioctena pallida Linn. The larvse 

 were first found in early June, so that we did not have the eggs. The larva is much 

 like the Elm-leaf Beetle in form and colour. The beetles appeared June 21. They are 

 yellowish brown, except the eyes, epicranium, two horn-like spots, and a central oval spot 

 on the posterior portion of the prothorax, the scutellum, two large spots, one on each 

 elytron near the scutellum, two nearly as large rounded .spots near the suture, and just 

 posterior to the centre, three small spots along the lateral margins, and the entire under- 

 side of the body except a narrow margin, which are black. 



The beetles came forth late in June, but we found no larvae or eggs. 



NOTES OF THE SEASON FROM SOUTH DAKOTA. 



BY J. M. ALDRICII, BROOKINGS, S. DAKOTA. 



Cutworms have been more injurious than ever before. From limited data, I judge 

 that the loss in the State reaches several millions of dollars. Corn, flax, gardens, and 

 other crops suffered about in the order mentioned. 



At our station the large Willow Sawfly {Cinibex americana) is much less injurious 

 than for several years. I have reared six or seven species of parasites from it, four of 

 them being numerous. 



The Cottonwood Leaf Beetle is with us in large nuiibers, as usual. Our experiments 

 in spraying with arsenites for this insect are more successful than heretofore, and I now 

 feel confident that it can be controlled (though not exterminated) by this method. Our 

 new Russian poplars, so desirable in other respects, are chosen by the beetle in preference 

 to Cottonwood. 



