gg [September, 



corium, and triangularly widened at the base ; also the carina at the 



back of the vertex is distinctly curved as in flavomaculafus. Is it 



possible that Jlavomacul at us also lives on the sallow, or is saUcicola a 



northern form, perhaps, oijlnvomaculatus ? I will send examples to 



Dr. Renter, and obtain his views ou them. 



Nabis Jlavomurffinatus, 1 developed $ , by sweeping. 



Holraesdale, Upper Tooting : 



lUh August, 1882. 



Cocci and earwigs. — I have on my red currant bushes some colonies of Lecanium 

 ribis, A. Fitch, which year after year increase and multiply, that is, in some years 

 there are more absolutely than in others, and in one year they abound on one bush, 

 and in one year all but leave it and appear on another. I speak only of the females, 

 for the male I have never been able to find in any stage of life. The species seems 

 distinct enough, the shell being separable by its characteristic structure from that of 

 others of the genus resembling it, and it seems to be confined to the red currant, 

 except that I have found occasionally, on an adjacent Acacia, one or two which I 

 believe to be of the same species, but they do not occur on any other ti*ee. Their 

 manner of life is in this wise : in the early spring (February or March) the eggs are 

 hatched under the hibernated maternal shell, which was in the year previous fixed 

 on the older branches, generally under the protection of loose bark, and although 

 the young ones soon come out from the cover, they remain close by, and for many 

 ■weeks grow very slowly, remaining soft, shell-less, and of a dingy light brown colour. 

 About the middle of May the shell becomes well defined on the growing or full- 

 gi'own form, assuming a light brown colour, and having several dark brown streaks J 

 or shades, the shape being broad-oval, slightly convex. Then they gradually become 

 more convex, the diseoidal wrinkles appear, the smooth central ridge more distinct, 

 and the colour changes to deep, shining, sealing-wax red, which is maintained 

 throughout the following winter. 



Up to the 15tli of June this year the shells, growing and even full-grown to the 

 limit of the penultimate condition above mentioned, were numerous, but then almost 

 all disappeared, and I was puzzled to account for their absence. But, looking closely 

 one day at the end of June, I saw, at the place where a Lecanium had been a few 

 days before, two young earwigs engaged in demolishing the last remains of the 

 departed. It is perhaps hazardous to say in this case " ex nno disce omnes," but I 

 think it not at all improbable that among their capabilities the Forficulm are cocci- 

 Toroiis. If this theory be correct, then earwigs may be added to the list of benefi- 

 cial insects recommended by Mr. Comstock as desirable to encourage in districts 

 infested with injurious CoccidcB. 



In his description of L. ribis, Asa Fitch has stated that, in the State of New 

 York, it is common on the red currant, and that he supposes it was imported with 

 plants of this fruit from Europe, which may possibly be true, although it is added, 

 no European author has indicated any Lecaninm livmg on currant bushes. (Signo- 

 noret. Ess. Coch.. p. 462). As far as he was able to judge from some ? examples 

 which I sent to him, and without knowing the $ , Dr. Signoret believed this species 

 to be distinct from any other described one. — J. W. Douglas, 8, Beaufort Gardens, 

 Lewisham : August 10th, 1882. 



