36 



Mr. Kotinsky reported having discovered aphis on the mango 

 trees brought by Mr. Mclntyre from Manila, ahhough they 

 were grown in a supposedly insect proof house and transported 

 in screened wardian cases. Mr. Van Dine stated that the aphis 

 was probably brought in by ants. 



Mr. Giffard reported having read of the presence of the 

 Argentine ant {Iridoniyrmex humilis) in California, warning 

 the inspector against it, also inquiring whether anything akin 

 to it has been observed here. 



Dr. Wilcox discussed the apparent possibility for usefulness 

 of sulphur trioxide, which, while an excellent insecticide and 

 fungus disinfectant, is innocuous to colored materials. Mr. Gif- 

 fard inquired whether other entomologists observed the differ- 

 ence of behavior of the same species of insect in different 

 cyanide bottles. Mr. Van Dine said that he finds chloroform a 

 useful substance owing to the rapidity in killing specimens. Dr. 

 Wilcox said that the rapid killing bottle must be an advantage 

 since the insects are killed so quickly, that no time is left to 

 contract muscles and thus get organs out of shape and normal 

 position. 



Mr. Ko'tinsky reported having bred Lycaena sp. (one of the 

 two Lantana Lycaenids) from pepper pods on the surface of 

 which larvae were found feeding. It seems however that this 

 was an- accidental deposit of several eggs probably by one female, 

 as outside of the first six or seven no other peppers were 

 observed damaged by this insect. 



SEPTEMBER 7th, 1908. 

 The forty-fourth regular meeting was held in the usual place. 



NOTES AND EXHIBITION OF SPECIMENS. 



The time of the meeting was chiefly occupied in discussion 

 of the Argentine ant {Iridomyrmex humilis Mayr). Mr. Kotin- 

 sky read a letter he had received from Mr. E. M. Ehrhorn, San 

 Francisco, Cal., in which the situation as regards this ant in 

 California, was given. Mr. Kotinsky had also received speci- 

 mens of the ant from Mr. Ehrhorn. From the fact that this 

 ant has become established in California, and that it is known 

 to be so serious a household and agricultural pest in Louisiana 

 where it has been established for quite a number of years, our 

 port inspectors should be particularly watchful lest it become 



