502 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 10 



Scientific Notes 



Apple and Thorn Skeletonizer (Hemerophila Pariana Clerck). This insect, 

 kindly determined by Karl Heinrich through the courtesy of Doctor Howard, haa 

 become well established in Irvington, N. Y., ranging east to White Plains, south to 

 Scarsdale, and is reported as being present for a mile or two on the west bank of the 

 Hudson. The caterpillars skeletonize the upper surface of the leaf, usually drawing 

 in a variable strip on each side about half an inch wide and spinning a light web near 

 the center of the leaf. Portions on each side of the base of the leaves are frequently 

 untouched, though in serious infestations every leaf may be entirely skeletonized and 

 this is true of whole orchards as well as of infested trees. The work of this insect 

 may be distinguished from that of the fall web worm by the absence of the envelop- 

 ing web inclosing one or more leaves. Furthermore, the full grown caterpillars are 

 only about half an inch long, yellowish, black-spotted, sparsely haired and with the 

 active movements of the Tortricid. 



The pest was first brought to our attention by Mr. B. D. Van Buren of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture and the first American notice was in the Digest for the week 

 ending August 16, 1917, issued by the Insect Pest Survey and Information Service of 

 the New York State Food Supply Commission. Subsequent observations show that 

 various sized caterpillars may be found upon the leaves the last of September. It is 

 recorded by Meyrick as local on apple and hawthorn, the moths hibernating and the 

 larvae being found in May, June and August. 



The caterpillars are easily destroyed with poison and, since they feed upon the 

 upper surface of the leaf, it should be impossible for this insect to become abundant 

 in well sprayed orchards. 



E. P. Felt. 



The Collection of Hemiptera in the United States National Museum. It should be 

 of interest to all American workers in Hemiptera as weU as to workers in other orders 

 to know something in regard to what is without doubt the largest collection of 

 Hemiptera in North America. Since the death of the late Otto Heidemann, who was 

 for ten years Custodian of Hemiptera in the United States National Museum, the 

 entire collection has been rearranged. 



All specimens are now kept in cork-lined drawers with glass covers, and these in 

 steel cabinets. 



The collection of Hemiptera in the Museum includes all of Heteroptera and 

 Homoptera exclusive of Aphididae, Aleurodidae and Coccidae. It has been built 

 up of material sent in from numerous economic workers of the Bureau of Entomology 

 and state departments, by generous donations of specimens from individual workers 

 and students, and also by trades and purchases. The Fitch, Ashmead, Coquillett, 

 and Uhler collections have been notable acquisitions, and it is hoped that in the future 

 the generous spirit which has been the means of building up the best collection of 

 Hemiptera in North America will continue to prompt entomologists to donate speci- 

 mens freely so that in a short time we may be proud to be able to claim the best in 

 the world. 



At the present time there are approximately 150,000 specimens in the collection. 

 Of this 60,000 have been determined. The Nearctic region is represented by 107,000 

 specimens; the Neotropical by 20,000; the Palaearctic by 10,000; the Ethiopian by 

 7,000; the Oriental by 3,000; and the AustraUan by 3,000. The average number of 

 duphcates in a species is 10. There are 600 series of types, cotypes, or paratypes, 

 exclusive of many in the Uhler collection which have never been designated. 



