72 



Leonard (M. D.) & Crosby (C. R.)- A New Species of Gonatocerus 

 (Mymaridae) parasitic on the eggs of a New Species of Idiocerus 

 (Bythoscopidae) feeding on Poplar.— J?. Econ. Entom., Concord, 

 viii, no. 6, December 1915, pp. 541-546, 2 plates. 



Idiocerus gemmisimulans, sp. n., was reared from eggs found on 

 poplar at Ithaca, N.Y. The eggs began to hatch on 19th April and 

 adults were obtained on 14th May. A description of this Jassid is given. 

 Until the fourth stage, the nymphs remain feeding on the leaves. 

 Later they are found on the smaller twigs, resting with the head 

 directed towards the base of the branch. In this position they closely 

 resemble, in form and colour, the buds of the poplar. On 20th May, 

 parasites were observed emerging from the eggs of /. gemmisimulans 

 through a hole in the bark overlying the egg-clusters. These also 

 proved to be a new species and are described as Gonatocerus ovicenatus. 



Scientific Notes.— JL Econ. Entom., Concord, viii, no. 6, December 

 1915, pp. 549-554. 



Cyllene robiniae, Forst., and Crioceris asparagi, L., were observed 

 for the first time at Boulder, Cal., in September and October 1915. 

 Eriococcus sp. was found on twigs of Gaylussacia at Hammond, N.Y. 

 Rhabdophaga aceris, Shim, (soft maple leaf midge) was abundant near 

 Albany and caused material injury in the case of small trees. The 

 insect becomes established in the unfolding leaves, preventing their 

 normal expansion, and in a serious infestation one or more lobes of the 

 affected leaves may curl and die. The larvae occur mostly on the tip 

 of the leaf, along the veins. Pupation takes place on the leaf. 

 Infestation is favoured by conditions producing a rapid, succulent 

 growth. Spraying with a contact insecticide is the best method of 

 controlling this midge. A weevil, Eudiagogus rosenschoeldi, Fhs., 

 was found in August 1913 injuring the nodules on the roots of Sesbania 

 macrocarpa. The larvae probably also feed on the roots as well. 

 Adults of this weevil were taken during the winter from hibernating 

 places in clumps of Andropogon virginicus. There is probably one 

 generation annually. It has also been recorded on Cassia occidentalis, 

 C. obtusifolia, Sesbania vesicaria, and Xanthoxylum clavaher cutis. 

 With the draining of swamps and the decrease in its native hosts, the 

 insect may become a pest, especially upon introduced forage plants. 

 Certain unusual nursery insects are recorded. Pseudococcus kraunhiae, 

 Kuwana, was found at Rutherford, N. J., on Taxus cuspidata brevifolia, 

 where it had evidently been established several years. Some of the 

 infested plants were originally imported from Japan. Antonina crawi, 

 Ckll. (cottony bamboo scale) occurred at Riverton, N.J., on Bambusa 

 henonis and B. aurea, to which considerable damage was caused by the 

 presence of large colonies in the leaf -axils. Trioza magnoliae, Ashm., 

 was abundant on bay trees at Rutherford, resulting in the deformation 

 of the leaves. Tobacco extract and whale-oil soap were effective in 

 ^^i^ controlling this Pspllid. Tlie sawfly, Pteronus hudsoni, Marl., was 

 observed for the first time in New Jersey feeding on Populus canadensis 

 during August 1915. Otiorrhynchus sulcatus, F., has recently become a 

 pest on rhododendrons and Taxus in several nurseries. This weevil has 

 been introduced from Europe, where the food-plants include peaches, 



