North American Entomologist 



Kclitor: A. R. GUOTE. Publishers: Reinccke, Zesch <& Ballz, 



Buffalo Society of Natural iSciejices. 500 Malu Street, BufTalo, N.Y. 



Vol. 1. SEFTElMliEri, IS'TO. ]No. 3. 



The Natural History of AEGERIA PICTIPES, G. & R. 



By James S. Hajlev, A. M. 31. I). 



(Plate III.) 



AV'ithiu ti few feet of my office window stands u plum tree of 

 fifteen years growtli, whicli, nntil 187G, liad been thrifty and fruit- 

 ful, when it was attacked l)y a lepidopterous borer. Tlie first 

 evidence noticed was tlic fading and dropping of its foliage. The 

 pupa cases were not discovered nntil 1877, and, owing to an unac- 

 (juaintance with their habits, the moths were not found until 

 June 1878. 



Since 1870 there lias l)een a gradual decay of tiie tree, the bark 

 and alburnum have Ijccome furrowed and cracked and many of the 

 lower branches have i^erished, but, unlike the ra\agcs of Cassus 

 ('(^ntcrensis upon Popuhtu ircmuloidex, the terminal iH'anches of the 

 rium tree are comparatively sound. During this year, 187!', while the 

 season for collecting Lepido])fera is at least a fortnight behind that 

 of 1878, the Acgcriae were earlier, the first captures being made ]\[ay 

 25, and at this date seven pupa cases were counted i)rotriiding 

 through the bark. 



I'he moths emerge during June and July ; the most favoi-ahle 

 time of day for their exit is between 8 and 10 o'clock A. M. The 

 daily ca])tures have been during these months from one to five when 

 the weather was fair, but, dui'ing rainy and cloudy days, they do 

 not leave tlie jnipa. although a very little sunshine will bring them 

 out. 



One cluster of eggs, ninety two in number, was found, laiil on the 

 under surface ol loosened' bark within six inches of the roof. 



During rainy days tiie cateri)illars iiave Ikhmi o])served crawling 

 out of the openings in the bai'k and extending for more flian half 

 their length, reaching in ;i circK' around their ajiertures and drinking 

 the moisture fi'oni the baik. More .\egeria^ have l)een caiitured on 



