38 B. C. ENTOMOLOGICAL PROCEEDINGS, 1912. 



Mr. Anderson — I have been interested in what has been said and 

 cannot add much. Today the Oak Tree Caterpillars are hard to find 

 and I have no doubt their natural enemies are checking them. Fungus 

 diseases play an important part in the natural control of insects. 



Mr. Wilson — In 1900 we had a severe infestation of the Cut- 

 worm, Peridromia saucia. Following this outbreak 90% were parasitized. 



Mr. Anderson — Yes. That was a severe outbreak. Daylight 

 habits were adopted by the larvae although a noctuid. 



Mr. Bush — ^They could be heard feeding. 



Dr. Hadwen — I hope to have some slides to show tonight of the 

 mite parasitism of Horn Flies. 



NOTES ON XANTHIA PULCHELLA, SMITH. 



This species appears to be increasing in numbers in the Quamichan 

 district of Vancouver Island. Five years ago odd specimens only were 

 taken, whereas in 1910, 11, and 12, it was not unusual to see five or 

 si.x in an evening at "sugar." A female thus taken on October 9th, 



1911, laid eggs about October 15th. The ova were deposited in batches 

 and clusters in a chip box. Color at first greenish yellow, changing 

 after a few days to a light grayish brown. Eggs round, with base 

 slightly broader and top somewhat flattened. Surface shining, well 

 sculptured by lines running from base to top where they finish in a 

 well pronounced micropyle. Hatched February 25th to March 5th, 



1912. Young larvae with jet black shining head ; body with series of 

 spines. Head the broadest ; body tapering posteriorly fairly evenly. 

 General colour a dirty white with faint indications of lemon colour. 

 For half the length from the head there is a distinct lavender shade 

 which fades away gradually towards the tail. Eggshell not eaten. The 

 young larva rests on the two anal pairs of legs and with head in the 

 air. As soon as the young larva begins to eat the lavender shade goes 

 and the colour becomes a uniform glaucous green. From a number 

 of plants presented to the larvee, rose was chosen, but chickweed and 

 another kind of weed were nibbled at. The appearance of the larva 

 changes considerably after the first moult. The black shining head 

 gives place to a green one, and three whitish stripes appear, running 

 the entire length of the body — one in the middle of the back — the 

 others a short distance away on each side — the three enclosing the dorsal 

 area. The spines not so conspicuous as in the first instance. They 

 are emitted from small warts — two above the legs, two between first 

 white line and the median line, and the same of course on the other 



