Report of the State Entomologist. 179 



enees to authority and pviblication. Where bibliography is so extensive and of such 

 importance as to justify it, an entire page, of small typo, is devoted to a single species. 

 It is to bo hoped that this is but the first of a series of similar publications by the author. 



A published abstract of a paper read by Mr. Amos W. Butler, before the American 

 Association for the Advancement of Science at its last meeting, on The Pefiodical 

 Cicada in Southeasterti Iiultana, gives the time and duration of its visitation, the mode of 

 oviposition, abundance of the var. ra.s.si/u Fisher in a distinct territory, the sounds pro- 

 duced, prevalence of a fungus attack, their destruction by mammals, birds, and fishes, 

 and the comparatively slight damage resulting from the visitation. The paper affords 

 evidence of well-trained habits of observation in the author.* 



Dr. Hagen has communicated an interesting observation made by him of the destruc- 

 tion of living trees, of the red mai)le, Acer rubrum, by white ants, in Cambridge, Mass. 

 (Canad. £nt., xvii, p. V.n). 



Mr. Frederick Clarkson has found, that under some circumstances at least, the 

 development of the oak-pruuer, Elaplddion viliosum, is different from that ascribed to it 

 by Drs. Harris and Fitch, in that the insect may mature within its burrow as early as in 

 the month of November (id., ib., p. 188). 



Mr. John J. Jack reports serious injury to a crop of beans, through the attack of an 

 Anthomyian fly, Antltomuia a)igustifronH, the larva of which attacked and destroyed the 

 plants before they reached the surface of the ground (Canad. Entom., xviii, 188G, p. ■22).t 



This form of Anthomyian attack, akin to that of the seed-corn maggot, Anthotuyia 

 zea; may afford a solution of the freauont eating out of the interior of melon and some 

 other of the larger seeds beneath the ground, by hitherto unknown enemies, which has 

 been brought to my notice. 



Professor Riley has made an interesting communication to Science (vol. vii, p. 39-t), to 

 the effect that Feniseca Tarqaiidus, one of our rarer butterflies, has been found to be car- 

 nivorous in its larval stage — the only known instance of a carnivorous butterfly, and 

 that its food consists of plant-lice, especially of the gall-making and leaf-curling species 

 of Pemphigiruv. 



This publication solved what had been a mystery to me. A piece of a branch of some 

 tree, apparently an alder, was sent to me in October last, thickly covered with the floc- 

 culent bodies of some woolly aphis, probably a Scldzoneura. It was left in the box in 

 which received, awaiting further notice. Upon casually opening the box early in April, 

 to my great surprise, a newly emerged and perfect Feniseca Tarquinius was found therein ; 

 also, the short, stout chrysalis case from which it had escaped, and an undeveloped 

 chrysalis, each suspended by its cremaster from the sides of the box. How and where 

 the larva conceals itself during its growth is an interesting inquiry. 



A communication made to Science (May 28, 1886, vii, pp. 481-483), by R. I. Jackson, 

 records a New Museum Pest, in Lepisma domestica. It had been discovei-ed as very 

 injui-ious to labels; and it is further believed to be the author of the injury often 

 reported, to muslin curtains, silks, etc., commonly charged upon the carpet-beetle, 

 Anthrenas sa-oplmlariie, &S, ^\mi\&v iniwviQS are known to have resulted from species of 

 Lepisma in other counti'ies, as well as to books, maps, papers, etc. 



Entomology in Agricultural Journals. 



Our leading Agricultural Journals are the media of no inconsiderable amount of 

 information of the means for controlling insect depredations. They furnish convenient 

 channels through which inquiry may be made from any portion of the Union of any 

 unrecognized form of attack, and an intelligent reply elicited. 



Professors Riley and Cook are frequent contributors to the columns of the Rural New 

 Yorker. 



* The paper has been published in fuU, during the present month, in Bull. No. 12, of the U. S. Dept. of 

 Agriculture, — Division of Entomology, pp. 24 to 31. 



+ This occurrence is subsequently noticed at greater length in Bull. No. 12, of the Division of Entomology, 

 p. 38-39. 



