Insect Life on the Western Arctic Coast of America 13k 
On the tundra plants are various hemiptera (Euscelis hyperhoreus, Cala- 
canihia trybomi, etc.) and spiders {Xysticus bimaculatus , Lycosa sp.); the Lycosa 
makes a funnel-shaped web in fissures of the ground, in which it takes refuge, often 
first dropping its prey consisting of tipuUds, flies, beetles, or other spiders; the 
Xysticus are found among leaves. Now and then a decomposed dead animal 
harbouring muscid-eggs or larvfR attracts the beetle Silpha lapponica. On 
driftwood sticks or dead leaves are cakes of red mite eggs {Bryobia praetiosa) 
from which the equally red larvsR will emerge in a few days. Conspicuous also 
are the larvae and cocoons of Gynaephora rossi. The first moths of this species 
now emerge, unless parasitized by the tachinid fly (Eurphorocera gelida) or by 
an ichneumonid wasp {Amblyteles sp.). Of the former (fly) as many as six pupa 
cases may be found together with the larval skin of the lepidopterous host; 
some of the cases contain the dead fly-pupa (pale, with grey hairs and legs, eyes 
red-brown) and attached to it six or more parasitic ehalcid larvae, which later 
emerge in August through small holes in the pupa case of the fly. Or the 
Gynaephora cocoon may contain the dead lepidopterous larva or pupa, which 
on opening will be found to contain a fat, white ichneumonid larva filling out 
most of the host, the internal parts of which it has devoured, while the skin of 
the caterpillar host protects it from drying up. Sometimes the parasite kills the 
Gynaephora larva before the latter succeeds in making its cocoon and pupating; 
it is then found that the ichneumonid pupa (another species?) has spun itself 
to the ground, the caterpillar skin above protecting it from discovery by birds 
and other enemies. 
By digging, or in plants, various larvae or pupae of insects (weevils, tipuhds, 
etc.) may be observed. 
The freshwater ponds and lakes now contain a rich life. Craneflies, emerging 
from their pupa cases, float on the surface, or fly over the water, when not 
resting on grass leaves, etc. Swarms of small flies swarm or spring on the water 
surface; often they are seen in copulation. The first perlid adults crawl up 
on grass leaves above the water and leave behind the nymphal skins on the 
surface. Swimming in the water are thousands of mosquito larvae now grown 
considerably (Aedes sp. etc.), copepods and the nauplii of the common phyllo- 
pod {Branchinecta paludosa), besides mites (Curvipes reighardi), etc. Crawling 
or resting on submerged logs, etc., are the large red Chironomus larvae in their 
mud tubes. They are now pupating, the pupa emerging from its tube to the 
surface where it floats on one side, until it has shed its larva skin and can assume 
a vertical position. 
July 1-10 
The following insects are now seen: — 
Plies Rhamphomyia erinacioidea 
Syrphua sodalis 
Aricia borealis 
j^horMa brevitarsis 
Piophila borealis 
Botanobia frit 
Tipula subwctica '\ Craneflies with 
Tipula arctica I iiymplis of mites 
Stygeropis parrii | (Hydrachnids?) 
I'richyphona brevifurcata j on some of tiiem. 
Sawflies { Amauronematus sp.) 
Iclineumon fly (on willow plants) 
Midges Tanypus ala^censis 
Chironomus sp. 
Mosquitoes Aedes nearcticus 
Bumblebees Hombus sp. 
Butterflies Brenthis frigga aJaskensia 
B. frigga improba 
B. polaris 
Colias hecla glacialia 
Moths Diasemia alaskalia 
Eucosma sp. 
Gynaephora rossi 
Hyphoraia alpina 
