197 



Swarming of the Archippus Butterfly. 



October 5, I saw a rare occurrence, swarming or migration of the Archipjius. On 

 the 4th I made a trip some four miles east of here to see a case of Texas Fever, in com- 

 pany with Dr. M. Francis, Veterinarian of Texas Station, and along a "Draw" 

 where Red-bud, Persimmon, etc., were thick, I found hundreds of these butterflies 

 "roosting" at 3 P. M. They were as thick as the leaves on the shrubs, and often I 

 could catch six or eight at one sweep of my 18-inch net. 



October 5, at 8 A.M., they began swarming, and at 9 the air, as far as one could 

 see east and west, from 40 to 200 feet above the ground, the butterflies were flying 

 to the south, apparently one every few feet; often a cloud of several hundred would 

 pass, almost in a solid body, enough to cast a shadow. At 2 P. M. they diminished 

 in numbers and flew lower down. From the best information I can get this swarm 

 extended 20 miles east and west and were in motion steadily southward from 8 A. M. 

 to 3 P. M. 



October 6, a smaller swarm was seen from 10 to 3 P. M., but diminished in numbers. 

 I thought this worthy of record as no one here recollected seeing such a migration 

 before, — [Dr. J. C. Neal, Oklahoma. , 



An Anthicid Beetle reported as injurious to Fruit. 



I found some specimens of a gray beetle which is doing some damage to our fruit 

 crops in the spring of the year, about April. They first make their appearance on 

 peach trees, the tender leaves of which they appear to eat. In May they are plenti- 

 ful on cherries and later on on apricots, peaches, nectarines, plums, prunes, etc., 

 even on early apples. Quinces are the only fruit they refuse. The damage, how- 

 ever, is priucipally to cherries and apricots. As late in the year as this I find them 

 on peaches. They follow birds that have partly eaten the fruit, when they eat to 

 the pits of fruit where they hide. When the fruit is handled they leave it at once, 

 so they are seldom seen on fruit outside of the orchard. I believe the beetle is a 

 native here. The damage by them so far is small, and I do not think they ever be- 

 come troublesome, yet it is well to watch them. I have never seen them fly. — [John 

 J. Jones, Los Angeles County, Cal., September, 1892. 



Reply. — * * * 'pjjg insect in question is known scientifically as Notoxus cal- 

 caratHS. It is a member of the Coleopterous family Anthicidje, none of which, so 

 far as is known, are ever injurious. The habit which you have observed is interesting 

 but is probably exceptional, as none of our eastern species of Notoxus have been re- 

 ported as affecting vegetation. One of our common species occurs in the South on 

 the flowers of cotton and doubtless feeds on the pollen. You are right in your con- 

 clusion that these insects are not the primary cause of the damage. Many species 

 of insects, particularly beetles, which do not normally attack fruit are often sent to 

 this Department with the report that they are injurious, but investigation usually 

 proves that they follow the attacks of other insects, or, as in your case, of birds, 

 being attracted by the flowing juices upon which they largely feed. Among the 

 most common beetles having similar habits may be mentioned diff'erent species of 

 Euphoria, Allorhina and Ips. These also feed upon flowing sap. Your statement 

 that the Notoxus appears to eat the tender leaves of peach requires verification and 

 we shall be greatly obliged if you will report further observations. — [October 8, 

 1892.] 



Injury to Hammer-handles. 



In my business I handle a great many hardwood handles for hammers, axes, etc., 

 and I find that I lose a great many annually from the ravages of a little insect or 

 wood-borer, which thoroughly honeycombs a handle in a very short space of time, 

 leaving the handle a mere shell with innumerable small holes on the outside, and 

 grinding the inside into a powder as fine as flour. I have found it a very difficult 



