Beport of the State Entomologist. 195 



Life-history of Hemileuca Maia Drury. (The S^^•iss Cross, for April, 

 1887, i, pp. 135-139, figs. 1-3.) 



Presents the life-history of tliis Bombycid motli under the following 

 heads : The Egg-belt ; Egg cement ; Oviposition ; Hibernation of the 

 eggs; Hatching; Egg-shell; The young larva; First moult; Second 

 moulting; Third moulting; Stinging power of the larva; Fourth 

 moulting ; Fifth moulting ; Mature larva ; Food-plants ; Parasites ; 

 Pupation ; The pupa ; The Imago ; Metamorj^hic periods ; Prolonged 

 pupation ; Habits of the moth ; Rarity ; Geographical range. 



The Apple-tree Bark-louse. (Country Gentleman, for April 21, 1887, 

 Hi, p. 321, c. 1-3 — 60 cm.) 



Scales on apple bark from Batavia, N. Y., are those of Mtjtilaspis 

 pomicoj'ticis Riley. They often entirely cover the bark, giving it a 

 characteristic blistered appearance. Description of them. Interest 

 pertaining to the life-history of the insect. Is not fitted for rapid 

 spreading, as the female is wingless, but may be conveyed by other 

 insects, birds [and spiders]. The brief period of their free existence. 

 Reference to scale-insects of the orange in Florida and California. For 

 I'emedies, cut down and burn the trees infested throughout, or spray 

 thoroughly with a kerosene emulsion. Small trees may be scraped. 

 The most vulnerable time of the insect, is just after hatching, or at the 

 time of the blossoming of the tree. Prof. Cook's method of scouring by 

 hand with a soft-soap and carbolic acid solution. Soft-soap and wash- 

 ing soda also recommended ; also, linseed oil. 



Remarks, in answer to inquiry, on the two-spotted lady-bird, Adalia 

 bipimctata, found frequently hibernating in houses, and mistaken for 

 the carpet-beetle, Anthreaus scroxjliularice. 



Borers in Timber. (Country Gentleman, for April 28, 1887, lii, p. 341, 

 c. 3 — 17 cm.) 



A correspondent asks for a method for protecting timber from borers. 

 The inquiry is of too general a nature to admit of satisfactory reply. 

 Means for protecting certain timber from specified insects could be 

 given. The ship-timber in the royal dock-yards of Sweden, was, by the 

 direction of Liunajus, preserved from Lijmexylon navale, by submerg- 

 ing it at a specified time. Some felled timber may be protected by peeling 

 the bark. Creosote has been used for protection of timber, with satis- 

 factory result. 



Honey-dew Eaten by Bees. (Country Gentleman, for April 28, 1887, 

 lii, p. 341, c. 3-4—44 cm.) 



The extent to which honey-dew is eaten by bees, is of entomological, 

 botanical, and economical importance. A correspondent states that 

 the aphis secretions on fruit trees and the elm is not eaten by bees. 

 Prof, Cook is quoted on some honey-dews that are eaten. "Honey- 

 dew," too general a name, as it includes both aphis and plant secre- 

 tions. Sometimes diflicult to determine the source of a secretion 

 observed. An extract from "Science " is given, on the rich nectar and 

 excellent bee-food secreted by the larch plant-louse, Lachnns laricifex 

 Fitch, which is corroborated by Prof. Cook. 



