182 [August, 



The Porcupine Louse. — Mr. Emerson Atkins has brought me specimens of 

 Trichodectes setosus, Griebel, found on a porcupine (Erethizon epixanthus, Brandt.) 

 shot at Las Vegas, New Mexico. I believe this is the first Mallophagan to be re- 

 corded from New Mexico (though of course they are actually numerous), and it 

 seems that T. seloms has not been recorded from this species of porcupine. — T. D. 

 A. Cockerell, East Las Vegas, New Mexico, U. S. A. : June, 1902. 



Alomoscelis pilosnlits, Uhler,in Arizona. — This Capsid bug (kindly determined 

 by Mr. O. Heidemann) was observed by me at the end of March on leaves of 

 Atrip/ex at Tempe, Arizona. The Atriplex leaves are greyish-green, with a peculiar 

 lustre, all of which is imitated by the bug to perfection. — Id. 



Strachia oleracea, Linn., in East Kent. — I swept a single specimen of this fine 

 bug on the afternoon of June 29th, after a shower of rain. It was in a bed of mixed 

 nettles and thistles, growing in what was the garden of a now disused cottage 

 about a quarter of a mile from here. — A. J. Chittt, Huntingfield, Faversham : 

 July 2nd, 1902. 



Newspaper Entomology. — When we read the ludicrous remarks on insects 

 occasionally appearing in English newspapers we need not be surprised at similar 

 remarks appearing in those of the Colonies, where entomology is not much studied, 

 and entomological literature is not easily accessible. The attached clipping is from 

 the "Southland Times," N.Z., and seems to me worth reprinting in an entomological 

 journal. 



" A moth of unusual size for this part of New Zealand has been sent to us by a 

 Thornbury resident, who captured it there last Saturday. The wings, extended, 

 measure nearly five inches from tip to tip, and the body is about an inch and a half 

 long. J. C. Westwood, F.L.S., in his introduction to the " Modern Classification of 

 Insects," plainly indicates the species as belonging to the family of the Cicadidce in 

 the order Homopetra. This is the largest insect of the order, one species measuring 

 between six and seven inches in the expanse of its wings. The head is shortly 

 described as short, broad, and transverse, with large prominent eyes ; posterior 

 slightly spined without terminal spur; wings completely membranous and 

 delicately transparent ; body convex ; four wings." 



The insect referred to is a magnificent specimen of Sphinx convolvuli, 

 fortunately secured by, and now in the collection of, Mr. Gk W. Howes, F.E.S., of 

 Invercargill, N.Z. Coming nearer home, the " Ashburton Guardian " lately 

 announced that a settler at Omihi informed the correspondent of the " Oamaru 

 Mail " the other day that his turnip crops had suffered badly this season from the 

 grubs of humble bees. The " grubs " committing the ravages in his turnip crops 

 were those of Melanchra (Mamestra) niutans and M. composita, both of whose 

 almost omnivorous larvae attacks the roots of almost every farm crop. Both these 

 species have been extremely abundant this season. — W. W. Smith, Ashburton, 

 N.Z. : May 19th, 1902. 



Andrenaferox, Smith, other Aculeata Hymenoptera, and Stylops melitta>, Kirby, 

 in East Kent. — This Whitsuntide I had the good fortune to take close by here a 



