240 



was unknown to Signoret. The description of the European Pseu- 

 doeoccHs cescidi of Signoret in some respects more accurately fits our 

 species. We mention these facts to indicate that there is still a doubt; 

 comparison with authentic European specimens can alone settle the 

 question. 



Remedies. — Should this insect become so abundant as to threaten the 

 health of valuable shade trees at any time, the most eifective remedial 

 work can be done during the winter. It will consist in scraping the 

 bark of the trunk and larger branches and applying some oily insecti- 

 cide. Miss Smith found by practical experience that a wash composed 

 of 3 gallons water, ^ pound white hellebore, and 1 teaspoonful carbolic 

 acid, put on with a white-wash brush during the warm days of winter 

 and early spring, was effectual. 



Oecurrence of the insect in England. — In The Entomologist's Monthly 

 Magazine (vol. xxvi, p. 153) Mr. J. W. Douglas describes Pseudo- 

 coccus aceris and refers to its first discovery in England 3Iay 24, 1889, 

 in crevices of the bolls of lime trees. Douglas refers to Comstock's and 

 Miss Smith's articles, and notes the discrepancy that the tarsus of the 

 female imago is stated to be only half as loug as the tibia, whereas Sig- 

 noret says the tibia is three times longer than the tarsus. The position 

 of the ovisac on the leaves, instead of on the trunks of the trees, also 

 deviates fi-om the habit of European examples, " but," says Douglas, 

 ''this may not have been the general habit;" a supposition which is 

 not verified by this summer's observations. He also refers to the 

 occurrence of a dipterous larva in the female ovisac. The adult was 

 not reared. 



NOTES ON COTTON INSECTS FOUND IN MISSISSIPPI. 



By Wm. H. Ashmead. 

 rContinned from Insect Life, vol. vii, p. 29]. 

 ORDER HYMENOPTERA. 



Various kinds of bees and wasps are found quite plentifully in the 

 blossoms of cotton and materially aid in pollenization. A long list of 

 names could be furnished, but as no special efibrt was made in this 

 direction, I shall confine myself here to recording my observations on 

 such predaceous and parasitic forms as were brought directly under 

 my notice. 



Several distinct species of digger-wasps of the family Larridae were 

 observed in the cotton fields, searching eagerly for grasshoppers, 

 crickets, locusts, etc., with which to provision their cells. Among these 

 the most common were Tachytes ohscurus Cr., T.validus On, and Tachy- 

 sphex terminatus Smith. The last was observed twice dragging oft' a 

 small immature cricket {Nemohius sp.). 



