April, '10] COOLEY : POTATO BEETLE IN MONTANA 179 



up to September 1, when no further attention was given to the cage. 

 This female was alive and laying eggs nineteen days after adults 

 reared from her eggs had gone into the earth for the winter. This 

 female would eat her own eggs when food became scarce, and the 

 larva would eat eggs at any time. Observations out of doors carried 

 on during three years show that the beetles had practically all gone in- 

 to the earth for the winter by August 27. The non-appearance of a 

 second brood of larvae in Bozeman has thus been noted three years in 

 succession. The elevation of Bozeman in the Gallatin Valley is 

 4,800 feet; the latitude is about 46°. 



We have not made definite observations on the number of genera- 

 tions per year in other parts of Montana, but it seems probable that 

 in the lower valleys of the state where the growing season is longer, 

 the usual two broods will occur. 



This beetle is still spreading into new territory in Montana. It 

 has been introduced into Flathead County only during the last few- 

 years. Its first appearance in other valleys in the state is still fresh 

 in the memory of residents. On the testimony of early residents it is 

 clearly an introduced species in the Gallatin Valley which is east 

 of the main divide of the Rocky Mountains. 



In the Gallatin Valley the species thrives in a wild state on Sola- 

 mim triflorum, which is an abundant weed in unplowed fields. The 

 adults migrate into potato fields from the surrounding native vege- 

 tation in great numbers, and in one brood constitute a serious pest. 



President Britton : I wish to state at this time that it was im- 

 possible for Doctor Howard to be present at the meeting, in order to 

 tell us about the parasite work which is being carried on in Massa- 

 chusetts. The introduction of the parasites and natural enemies of 

 the Gipsy and Brown-Tail Moths is one of the largest experiments of 

 the kind ever attempted. Doctor Howard, however, has authorized 

 Mr. Fiske to make a statement in relation to the progress of the work, 

 and we will now be glad to hear from him. 



WORK WITH PARASITES OF THE GIPSY AND BROWN- 

 TAIL MOTHS 



By W. F. Fiske, Bureau of Ent07nolo[/y 

 [Withdrawn for publication elsewhere] 



