166 [December, 
caused her to appropriate their intended feast ? Cockroaches have more than once 
gained access to my setting-board, and done great mischief. Most EngHsh Lepi- 
dopterists can speak painfully from experience of the attacks of wasps on Noctuce 
that have been captured at " sugar"; in fact, the corpulent body of a newly killed 
Noctua filled with saccharine fluid is quite a bonne bouche to a wasp ; the latter 
makes a big hole and extracts the contents, and usually departs without damaging 
the wings. — E. M'Lachlan.] 
Noxious insects naturalized in America. — No. 12, (September 1866), of the 
" Practical Entomologist," (Philadelphia), contains an interesting article by Mr. 
B. D. Walsh on this subject. From it we learn that fully one half of the worst 
Amei-ican insect-foes have been imported from Europe. Thus the Hessian fly 
(Cecidomyia destructor), was introduced nearly ninety years since ; the wheat midge 
(Diplosis tritici), about forty-five; the bee-moth (Galleria cereana), at the com- 
mencement of the nineteenth century ; the apple moth {Carpocapsa pomonella) , the 
currant clear wing (Trochilium tipioliforme), the meal worm {Tenebrio molitor), the 
cockroach (Blatta orientalis), &c., &c., at indefinite periods ; and within the last few 
years the asparagus beetle (Crioceris asparagi), has made its appearance in the 
state of New York ; finally the gooseberry saw-fly (Nematus ventricosus), has since 
1862 shewed itself in several places, and has already proved very destructive. Mr, 
Walsh doubts if even the so-called American cockroach {Blatta Americana) be 
really indigenous, and suspects its importation from Asia. Probably with justice, 
he states that the injury inflicted on America by European insects is only recipro- 
cated to a very slight extent ; the chief insect pests for which we have to thank 
America, being the pea-weevil {BrucTius pisi), and the now too-well known house 
ant (Myrmica molesta) . He argues, therefore, that (though popularly known as the 
" New World,") the American continent being the older, its plants and animals 
mostly belong to an old-fashioned creation, and can no more stand their ground 
against their more vigorous imported European competitors, than the E.ed Indian 
can hold his own against the Caucasian race. Mr. Walsh's theoretical speculations 
always deserve earnest consideration, and in this case the facts appear to bear him 
out. One of our common white butterflies has already obtained a footing in Canada, 
and perhaps eventually may prove more destructive there than the indigenous 
Pieris oleracea. Nor is America the only land so situated, inasmuch as it seems 
ordained that the European race, wherever it may locate itself, shall take with it 
some of its natural pests. Thus it is well known that many of our common weeds 
flourish in Australia and New Zealand, with far greater luxuriance than in Europe- 
— R. M'Lachian. 
Entomolouical Society of London, 5th November, 1866. — Sik John Lubbock, 
Bart., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 
Colonel Scott, R.E., of Ealing, was elected a Member. 
It was proposed by the President, seconded by Mr. Wallace, and carried 
unanimously, that the cordial thanks of the Society be given to to the Linnean 
Society, for the permission to hold the meetings in their rooms. 
The President requested that Members wishing to promote discussion on 
special subjects, would give notice to the Secretary, so that it might be published 
in the weekly scientific journals ; such notice must, in any case, be received on or 
before the Wednesday previous to the meeting. 
