230 SECOND REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



are larvae (ist stage) of the Reduvima, which cannot be positively iden- 

 tified, but may be the "wheel-bug," Prionotus cristattts (Linn.). The 

 eggs received with them are described and also the larvae. The species 

 deserves protection from its habit of preying on other destructive in- 

 sects. Their habits are briefly given, together with an account of a 

 two hours' contest observed between one of the larvae and a pupa of 

 Penthma nzmbatana. The result of a wound inflicted b}^ one of these 

 insects is stated. 



Book Notice. (Psyche, for May and June, 1883, iv, p. 53 — 11 cm.) 

 Notices the volume on the Insects of our Fruit-Trees, by Mr. Wil- 

 liam Saunders, as soon to be published. 



The Maple-Tree Scale-Insect — Lecanium innumerabilis Rathcon. 

 (Country Gentleman, for July 5, 1883, xlviii, p. 541, c 3-4 — 66 cm.) 

 The scales received from Parkersburg, W. Va., June i8th, with in- 

 quiries. They belong to the CoccidcB ; history of this species given; 

 the different trees attacked by it ; reference to papers treating of it. 

 Among the remedies for the insect, are mentioned, scraping and scrub- 

 bing the bark, cutting down and burning badly infested trees, spraying 

 with a whale-oil soap solution or with a kerosene emulsion. Directions 

 for preparing the latter are given. The literature of the species is pre- 

 sented. 



The Black Long-Sting — Rhyssa atrata {Fabr.). (Country Gentleman, 

 for July 12, 1883, xlviii, p. 561, c. 2-3 — 28 cm.) 



Insect from Athens, N. Y., identified as Rhyssa atrata. Its principal 

 features are given. The habits of the Rhyssa of ovipositing in the 

 larvae of Tremex Colwnba as usually given, has recently been questioned 

 by Mr. Clarkson, in the Canadian Entomologist ~ very properly so, it is 

 thought. Another use for the long ovipositor is suggested, based upon 

 an occurrence noticed by the writer. 



Hairworm — Vanessa — Alaus — Gordius and Mermis. (Country Gen- 

 tleman, for July 19, 1883, xlviii, p. 581, c. t-2 — 52 cm.) 



A Gordius from Bainbridge, N. Y., identified. The popular supersti- 

 tion of the transformation of a horse-hair into the hairworm is referred 

 to. The general character and modes of occurrence of Gordius and 

 Mermis are given, and the life-history, in brief, of the former. Vanessa 

 antiopa, sent as injurious to elms is characterized in its larval and but- 

 terfly stage. Alaus oculattts is briefly described and some of its habits 

 given. 



An Oak Moth — Anisota senatoria {Sm.-Abb.). (Country Gentleman, 

 for July 26, 1883, xlviii, p. 601, c. 3 — 16 cm.) 



Received from Roslyn, N. Y. With its name, the principal features 

 of the moth and the caterpillar are given. Its abundance at Karner, 

 N. Y., is stated, together with its several changes, and mention of con- 

 generic species, less injurious. 



