TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL MERTING. 53 
Extm-twic GrrpuEerR (Oncideres cingulatus, Say). 
Shade trees, prominent among them the elm, were liberally pruned this fall 
by this industrious wood-cutter. Its presence is made known by the numbers of 
small branches strewn beneath the trees. In these branches are to be found the 
eggs deposited singly at the base of the twigs beneath the bark. This insect was 
reported at work in Atchison, Dickinson, and Douglas counties. 
A number of the adults were kept in the laboratory during their working sea- 
son this fall, and careful study made there, as well as upon affected trees on the 
campus. Mr. P. E. Parrott, a student of this department, has given this subject 
special attention, and will report fully later on. 
Cuincu-Bucs (Blissus leucopterus, Say). 
The life-history and the destructive habits of this insect are too well known 
to require further description. The department has continued the dissemination 
of the infectious diseases. Repeated demands from some localities each year 
and highly satisfactory reports from a great majority of farmers using the remedy 
are gratifying to the department. While no further funds are at hand for the 
prosecution of the work, the department has decided to continue the work and 
render still effective service to the agriculturists, the only requirement being 
feat all demands for infection be accompanied by postage for delivery of diseased 
ugs. 
The above is a brief summary of the work of the most destructive insects 
during the past year. These lilliputians are enemies well worthy the attention of 
every agriculturist. While many points are familiar, there is much to learn in 
order to more successfully cope with them. The department will highly appre- 
ciate reports and codperation of the Academy and others interested in making 
the desired knowledge more complete. 
NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF MYDAIDZ. 
By 8. W. Wituiston, Lawrence, Kan. Read (by title) before the Academy January 2, 1897. 
Collections of Diptera, even large ones, rarely include many specimens or 
species of Mydaide. The extent of individual variation is, in consequence, not 
well known. I have had the opportunity of studying most of the known genera 
and nearly 30 species. Much of the literature is inaccessible to the general stu- 
dent. I trust, therefore, that the following tables of the North American species. 
will be useful, notwithstanding that they have been in large measure compiled 
from the often incomplete descriptions: 
LEPTOMYDAS. 
I would call attention to the fact that the sexes differ very markedly in color- 
ation in this genus, and I suspect that the species described by Osten Sacken 
from females may not in each case be distinct from those described by Loew 
from males. 
iP black lars form the most, pari Dlack<s a: sonal os set. See net seb ecen 2 
Liuteous or reddish, legs yellow or rufous.............0.. ccc cee acceccss 3 
2.—Proboscis short, the labella not incrassate; first posterior cell closed ; 
femora black, the knees reddish ; wings blackish. .tenwipes Loew (male). 
Base of hind femora and their tibie light yellow; wings cinereous hyaline ; 
frat posterior cell’ open... se ek ee ee venosus Loew (male). 
