ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIPyrY OF WASHINGTON. 



Thursday, June 4, 1891. — William D. RicLardson, of Fredericksburg, Vircjinia, was 

 elected a corresponding member. Mr. L. O. Howard offered sonic remarks on the flight 

 of Micro-hymenoptera, explaining the manner of flight of a minute species observed 

 about his study lamp. He also exhibited a very minute Chalcid, an Entedonid from 

 a collection made by Mr. H. H. Smith on the island of St. Vincent, which bore a label 

 stating that the species had the power of emitting a marked odor which was perceptible 

 at a distance of one foot. Discussed by Messrs. Marlatt, Kiley, Schwarz, and Ashmead. 



Dr. Fox exhibited a specimen of the young of Epeira, of which one palpus had male 

 characters and the other the characters of the female. Discussed by Messrs. Marx 

 and Riley. 



Mr. Fernow made some additions to his previous observations on Psilura monacha. 

 He said that the Government of Germany had recently appropriated $350,000 

 to fight this moth, most of which will be spent on the lime treatment. He 

 iilso called attention to a monograph on the May Beetles of Europe (Melolouthas), 

 which he said contained a good many facts on the habits and means of treatment of 

 these pests. He mentioned a fact given in this publication, viz., the migration of the 

 larvae, which he believed to be a new observation. Tlie only method of treating 

 these insects of any value is the collection of the last stages and of the adult. He 

 also mentioned the influence of defoliation on the multiplication of the locust in 

 connection with the recent invasion of these insects in the island of Cyprus, and 

 similarly also on the multiplication of Melolouthas — such defoliation favoring the 

 development of these insects. Discussed by Messrs. Riley, Howard, Schwarz, and 

 Ferno'w. 



Dr. Fox presented a paper entitled "A collection of Spiders from Indiana," in which 

 he gave notes on the distribution of a number of the species recorded. He stated 

 that quite a number of the species had not before been found in that part of the 

 United States, but that he had not as yet had time to go over the material thor- 

 oughly. He proposed to prepare it for publication at some future date. 



Professor Riley presented some miscellaneous notes as follows : He called attention 

 to the injury done to roses in his yard and in the grounds of his neighbors by a small 

 beetle, Colasjns tristis. He stated that he had first noticed the injury from this insect 

 the present year, and that the roses had been very largely blighted by its attacks. 

 The nature of the damage consisted in boring or eating into the buds and partly ex- 

 panded flowers. He stated that this experience furnished another illustration of a 

 common insect suddenly assuming a new injurious habit. 



In connection with the remarks of Professor Fernow reported above, he gave a brief 

 account of the work of the Commission in Massachusetts on the Gypsy Moth, Ocneria 

 dispar. He stated that the Commission now has 150 men at work, and that Mr. Sessions, 

 the Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture is very earnest and anxious to leave 

 nothing undone that will help in the extermination of this threatening pest. Professor 

 Riley also referred to the prejudice against the use of arsenicals, which h;is interfered 

 somewhat with the work of the Commission, and which, at the request of Mr. Sessions, 

 he had done his best to remove by a statement of the facts regarding these insecticides, 

 sions, heshowingthattheir use, with ordinary care, is free from dangerous consequences 

 to live stock or man. He stated that he believed that most of the cases reported of 



491 



