89 



The author not being present, the following paper was read by the 

 Secretary : 



ORTHEZIA INSIGNIS AS A GARDEN PEST. 



By T. D. A. COCKERELL, Kingston, Jamaica. 



This interesting species was described by Mr. Douglas in the Entomol- 

 ogisfs Monthhj Magazine^ January, 1888, p. 169, from specimens found in 

 England on Strobilanthes, and it was afterwards ascertained to attack a 

 variety of exotic plants in the hothouses at Kew and elsewhere. In 

 " Timehri," December, 1880, p. 308, Mr. S. V. Mclntire records its occur- 

 rence in British Guiana, and in the same journal for December, 1890, 

 p. 304, Mr. R. Ward gives further particulars of its habits in that country. 



In Jamaica I have observed it somewhat commonly on roadside weeds^ 

 and, although positive information <m this head is wanting, it is very 

 probable that it abounds throughout the island at moderate elevations. 

 As a pest it was first brought to my notice by Miss L. A . Long, who found 

 it very injurious to a small species of Coleus, in Kingston, February, 

 1892. On June 14, Mr. E. Nuttall brought to the museum a large num- 

 ber of specimens on the leaf-stalks of white violets from Halfway Tree, 

 stating that they were very harmful and interfered with the proper de- 

 velopment of the flowers. 



As remarked by Mr. Ward, it infests herbaceous plants, and there 

 does not seem any probability that it will cause serious injury to any 

 crop ; but as a garden and hothouse pest it is evidently liable to become 

 exceedingly troublesome if not checked by prompt and thorough meas- 

 ures. It does not appear from any records accessible to me that the 

 species is found in the United States, although in Insect Life, vol. iii, 

 p. 124, there is mention of an undescribed Orthezia or Coleus in New 

 York and California. It is very possibly common in the West Indies, 

 though only known as yet from one island, and if it does not yet occur 

 in the Southern States it may be expected at any time^ 



Mr. Webster presented some notes on — 



SOME FEATURES OF APPARENT JOINT-WORM ATTACK. 



By F. M. Webster, Wooster, Ohio. 

 [Secretary's Abstract.] 



He stated that the matter was not presented as a final conclusion, as 

 he had not yet reared the depredator, and though in many respects 

 the attack seemed to agree with that of Isosoma Jiordei, as described 

 by Harris and Fitch, yet in many other features it appeared different. 

 In all cases, and he had examined hundreds of wheat straws from 

 northern Ohio, the attack was always above the upper joint. In two 

 cases the upper joint and the one below had been attacked. From 

 many thorough examinations he had found that the stem itself had not 

 been eaten into, the cells being formed in the sheath, but owing to the 



