742 FIFTH REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



The reasons why I regard this species as i)ertaiuiiig to the genus 

 Ajyhropliora, to which Say had assigned it, instead of the genera in 

 svhich it has recently been placed, will be found stated under a kindred 

 species in lay Third Report, No. 98. (Fitch.) 



What I suppose to be this insect is also very common on the pitch 

 pine at Brunswick, Me. The pupai are common late in July, but early 

 in August tlie insects acquire their wings. 



72. The Saratoga spittle- insect. 



Aphrophora saratogensis Fitch. 



A similar insect with the same habits with the preceding, but differing from it in 

 having the punctures uncolored, aud the head above with its anterior and posterior 

 margins parallel. It is of a lighter color than the foregoing, being pale tawny-yellow 

 varied with w hite. It is much more attached to the pitch-pine than to the white 

 pine, and is very common upon the small trees of that kind growing upon the sandy 

 plains of Saratoga County. (Fitch.) 



73. The pitch i-ine twig tortrix. 



Retinia comstockiana Fernald. 



Boring into the twigs and small branches of the pitch-pine (Pinits rigida), causing 

 an exudation of resin; yellow-brown larvje, about 10'"'" (.39 inch) long, transforming 

 within the burrow, and giving forth small brown and gray moths. (Comstock.) 



An examination of the pitch-pines in the vicinity of Ithaca, N. Y., in 

 the early part of the past summer,* revealed the fact that they were 

 infested to a considerable extent by a heretofore undescribed pest. 

 Upon the smallest twigs and limbs and upon the terminal shoots of the 

 trees were observed exuding at intervals masses of pitch, mixed with 

 the excremental pellets of some larva. In most cases there were two 

 distinct layers of the resin to be seen, the lower dry, hard, whitish, 

 weather-beaten, having evidently been exposed during the winter, while 

 the upper mass was fresh, softer, and of a hoary, bluish color on the 

 surface, yellowish beneath, having the appearance of a comparatively 

 recent exudation. Tnese resinous lumps, when occurring upon twigs 

 or limbs, were, in the great majority of cases, upon the upper side, and 

 were seldom found upon a larger limb than the one represented in the 

 cut. 



A longitudinal section through one of these lumps showed a channel 

 of greater or less size leading directly to the heart of the twig, and 

 extending along toward its base for a distance of from 25 to SO'""^ (1 to 

 2 inches). In this burrow was found a rather stout, yellowish-brown 

 larva, apparently nearly full grown, and measuring about 10""" (.29 

 inch) in length. In other burrows the short, stout, brown i^upa? were 

 found. They were quite active, and retreated to the bottom of the 



•The account is copied textually from Professor Comstock's Report. 1879. 



