BRITISH COLUMBIA ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



MIDSUMMER MEETING, 191: 



|HE first miilsuramer, semi-amuial meeting of the British Coliimljia 

 Eutomological Society was held iu the Court-liouse, Veruon, B.C., ou 

 Jnl.v 18th and 10th, 1913. Between fifty and sixty individnals were 

 jircsmt at the meetings during the session, and these included repve- 

 ^'■ut.itives from Vancouver Island, Lower Mainland. Salmon Arm, 

 Koutcnay, and Okanagan Districts. The President, Mr. (i. O. Day, 

 of Duncan, was in the chair, and the meeting was called to order at 1.4.5 p.m. on 

 July 18th, 1913. 



The President : I am very pleased indeed to see the splendid number of 

 enthusiasts present here to-day at this opening meeting of the first special semi- 

 annual gathering of this Society. I will reserve my few words of welcome to a 

 later occasion on the programme and. without further delay, will ask Jlr. John 

 Davidson, Provincial Botanist, to present his )iaper on " Entomology from the 

 Standpoint of the Botanist." 



ENTOMOLOGY FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A BOTANIST. 



T.v J. D.wiDSON, F.L.S., i\B.S.E., Provinci.\l Botanist. 



In the course of one's botanical experience there are many occasions when some 

 knowledge of entomology is absolutely necessary, just as to the entomologist it is 

 necessary to know .something about plants. Iu the short time at my disposal I 

 propose to summarize the interrelationship of plants and insects, and if I can 

 stimulate some of those present to make observations and notes of the inter- 

 relationships which are to be seen in our own Province. I shall be glad to render 

 them further assistance and obtain their co-operation. 



Insects spnE.\D Pl.^nt-diseases. 



It is well known that insects pla.v a very important part in the distribution of 

 disease, and it must be remembered that most of our contagious and most dreaded 

 diseases belong to the ve.getable kingdom. In addition to bacteria, mould, and other 

 fungi carried by contact, we find that insects such as some of the Diptera suck the 

 putrid deliquescent mass of spore-tissue of such fungi as belong to the Phallineae 

 (the Stinkhoru Fungus family) and other groups. This fluid is charged wllfi; . 

 myriads of minute spores which pass uninjured tlirough the insect, and are dis- 

 Iributed in its excreta. 



Chificcpfi pinpiirca. the ergot fungus which attacks rye and other grasses, is 

 similarly distributed, the fungus forming a sweetisli fluid, attractive to flies. During 

 their visits the flies are liberally smeared witli spores, and these on being carried to 

 liealthy grasses spread the disease. 



We do not find, however, that insects are nuich interested iu the benefit done 

 to the fungus in spreading its spores, or iu the injury done to the host in spreading 

 tlie disease. The insect is more concerned about the maintenance of the individual 

 and the propagation of Its species. 



In connection with the egg-laying operations of insects, tliere is nuich that is 

 interesting regarding the indirei-t results. Fur exanijile. some of the T'oleojitera are 



