62 
also pretty in its powdery suit of pearl-gray and white. It attacks 
almost all kinds of vegetation; but was found last summer to be espe- 
cially destructive to the foliage and stalks of the Dahlia in one garden 
in Kirkwood, injuring the plants beyond recovery. As it inhabits the 
under side of the leaves, for the most part, and its punctures cause 
these to curl somewhat, it is difficult to reach it with insecticides, but 
applications of air-slacked lime and spraying with an infusion of Pyre- 
thrum will kill or dislodge it. 
Halticus pallicornis is becoming every year more of a pest in this lo- 
cality on Clover and many kinds of garden plants. Its punctures cause 
the leaves to turn yellow and present an appearance similar to those 
infested by Red Spider. 
The Flea-like Negro-bug (Corimelena pulicaria) also this year attacked 
Composite and Hollyhocks with great virulence. 
Acoloithus falsarius—a congener of the well-known Procris ameri- 
cana—appeared on all varieties of the Grape in July in such numbers 
as to merit some attention from the economic entomologist. The larvee 
are not found in companies feeding in regular ranks, as is the habit 
of P. americana, although several are often seen on the same leaf. 
This species feeds exclusively on the upper surface, gnawing off the 
parenchyma in irregular patches. The handsome little larva, when full 
grown, is about three-eighths of an inch in length by rather more than 
one-eighth inch in diameter. The form is depressed, almost rectan- 
gular. The surface is velvety and prettily checkered in dull orange or 
fulvous, yellow, and two or three shades of purple. Medio-dorsal line 
fine, interrupted, dark purple, on each side of which is a broad stripe 
of orange outlined in pale yellow, the dark color being most intense in 
the center of each square, where, under the lens, is situated a little 
tuft of silky hairs. The lateral stripe is similar, but contains a larger 
proportion of purple. A purple band extends transversely across the 
fourth and ninth segments. The depth of this coloring is quite variable, 
some larve being very much paler and less distinctly variegated than 
others. The under surface and legs are translucent, velvety, white, 
with a tinge of green. Head very small, brown and retracted under 
the projecting edge of first segment. It incloses itself when ready to 
change in a fold of a leaf or between two leaves in a flat flesh-tinted 
silken cocoon covered externally with lime-like granulations; The moth 
escapes in about two weeks and is dull black with orange collar like P. 
americana, but itis considerably smaller than the latter. A slight dust- 
ing with Pyrethrum powder caused the larve to drop from the leaves, 
and this will probably prove one of the best remedies where this insect 
has become unduly abundant. 
The Saddle-back Caterpillar (mpretia stimulea) is known to feed on a 
variety of trees and other plants, but I have seen no record of its oc- 
currence on Soft Maple. 
owe eect > rm eal 
leg tinatiemn 
