162 B. C. Entomological Societ'i' 



to be infested, and there is a strong possibility tliat Victoria maj' also 

 harbour the pest. This species is also European in origin and cosmopoli- 

 tan. From its habits it bids fair to become a pest of some importance in 

 places where it finds conditions suitable to its reproduction. It is des- 

 cribed by Blatchley as follows: "Dark reddish -brown ; basal joints of 

 antennae, sides of pronotum, hind margins of abdominal segments, for- 

 ceps and legs paler; tegmina and wings dull yellow. Tegmina one-half 

 longer than pronotum. Forceps of male about as long as abdomen, their 

 legs flattened and broadened at base, then usually curved almost into a 

 semi-circle, armed on the inner side at base with a large quadrate crenu- 

 late tooth, and another at beginning of curve ; legs of female forceps 

 slightly curved, crenulate on inner margin and crossing at tips. Length 

 of body 10-12 mm.; of tegmina, 2 mm.; of forceps, male 4-7 mm.; female 

 3 mm. ' ' 



The first specimens of F. auricularia actually reported for British 

 Columbia were taken alive by the author in September, 1916, at Van- 

 couver, in the hold of the SS. Talthybius, on arrival from Europe and 

 Asia. This was adventive material of a kind that undoubtedly had been 

 imported in the holds of trans-Pacific vessels for many years. Comstock, 

 in his 1901 Manual of Insects, refers to this insect on the Pacific Coast, 

 and Morgan Hebard records a note by Fieber in Lotos 3, 254, 1853, as 

 adventive American material. This insect, however, was not long to 

 remain in the holds of vessels alone. In 1912 a male and a, female were 

 captured at Newport, Rhode Island, in the New England States of 

 America. In August, 1919, reports of the presence of this insect were 

 received from the neighborhood of English Bay, in the city of Vancouver, 

 and in 1920 the reports increased in numbers. An examination revealed 

 the fact that tlie insects were widespread through the "west end" of 

 the city and in Stanley Park. In 1921, specimens were seen on the foliage 

 of trees in the boulevards of Vancouver and New Westminster. The 

 numbers found undoubtedly indicated an earlier introduction than 1919. 

 Curiously enough reports of the presence of this insect arrived almost 

 simultaneously at .many coast cities in America, following the Newport 

 introduction in 1912. In 1914, Kingston, R.I., announced its presence; 

 Seattle in 1915; East Aurora, New York State, in 1917. One observation 

 has led to others, and it is doubtless probable that search will reveal these 

 insects at many seaport towns not now recorded as infested. 



The avenues of introduction are numerous. In addition to the direct 

 importation through mercliandise at the jiorts. these insects have been 

 taken in nui'sery stock, bullis and plants imported from Europe. 



For instance, T. I. Beaulue captured some specimens in Holland nur- 

 sery stock at Montreal in the autumn of 1914, and T. D. Cockerell found 

 adults in Dutch tulips imported into Boulder, Colorado, in 1918. E. R. 

 Sasscer observed them in the soils around imported florist stock in the 

 eastern United States. 



