Report of the State Entomologist. 181 



The structure of the halteres of Diptera has been studied by Mr. A. B. Lee, who finds 

 them to embrace two distinct organs, one an auditory organ, and the other of problem- 

 atical function, which may be olfactory (Entomologische Nachrichten, for August. 1885). 



Sir John Lubbock records as an instance of remarkable longevity in ants, that two 

 Queens of Formica fusca had been kept alive by him within their nests for twelve years 

 (Contemporary Review, for November, 1885). 



The Insect Fauna of the United States. 



Returning to our country, unmistakable evidence of rapid progress in our science is 



to be found in the explorations by private individuals, institutions, and government 



surveys, of almost every portion of our country for unknown species and the prompt 



study of the material obtained, by competent specialists. 



Our lists of species are rapidly augmenting. 



In a paper recently road by me, not yet published, on the Present State of Entomological 

 Science in the United States,[*\ I had occasion to state the number (as near as could be con- 

 veniently ascertained) of the described species of North American insects. North of 

 Mexico. As the paper contained some estimates specially made for it, it may be of 

 interest to present the table at the present time. 

 Hymenoptera (Cresson's estimate): 



Phytophaga 573 



Entomophaga 2,160 



Pnedores 1,078 



Anthophila 633 



4,450 



Lepidoptora: Butterflies (Edwards List, 1884) 614 



Moths (Grote Check-List. 1882) 3 ,184 



Tineidaj, not included by Grote, 



( Chambers List, 1878) 779 



Diptera (OstenSacken estimate, in 1878) 2,500 



Coleoptera (Henshaw List, 1885) 9,507 



Hemiptera-Homoptera (Uhler estimate. 1886) 1 ,200 



Heteroptera (Uhler Cheek-List, 1886) 1 ,448 



Orthoptera (Scudder estimate, 1886) 450 



Neuroptera, not estimated — perhaps 1,000 



Giving a total of 25,132 



Limited Knowledge of the Early Stages of Insects. 



Upon former occasions when it has been my privilege to address this Club officially, 

 I have urged the importance of the study of the earlier stages of our insects upon its 

 members and upon all students in entomology. I beg leave to repeat the recommenda- 

 tion, in view of the value of such study in a scientific classification, and the necessity of 

 it in economic investigation, for of but comparatively a small number of our insects are 

 the earlier stages known, and of only a few do we possess full life-histories. 



Although the Coleoptera have been the most thoroughly worked of any of the orders, 

 yet it will surprise some of you to learn, as it did me, when I recently received the 

 information from an eminent Coleopterist, of how small a proportion are the earlier 

 stages known. 



By permission of the writer, Mr. E. A. Schwarz, I give the communication addressed 

 to me in reply to an inauiry made, in which the information above referred to is 

 embodied. It is of so much interest and value, that it deserves publication: 



"I have endeavored to keep track of the descriptions of Coleopterous larva from all 

 countries. I herewith select at random a few of the larger families, and do not believe 

 that the proportion of the known larvas to the total number of species would be materially 

 changed if I would go through all families. For the Ghrysomelidce, unfca-tunately, I can 

 not get at the figures withoiit much trouble. 



[* Since published; see pages 283-292 of this Report.] 



