Ill 



is kuowii tt) occur. The custom of botuuists of poisoninjj their ])lants 

 with corrosive sublimate to protect them from various enemies, such as 

 book mites, Psoci, etc.. shouhl i^ive immunity from the attac^ks of this 

 insect if the i)oison has been thoroughly applied. If to the corrosive 

 sublimate a quantity of arsenic is added the protection will be more 

 eftectual. T would also recommeml as very useful in disinfecting^ her- 

 baria of this and other ju'sts an air-ti<iht quarantine box of zinc or 

 •galvanized iron, in which plants may be temporarily placed and sub- 

 mitted to the fumes of bisuli)hide of carbon, which are very sure to 

 destroy all insect life. 



The fact that this insect has appeared on dry plants from the com- 

 paratively arid western regions may furnish a clue to its original habit. 

 It would seem possible, if not probable, that it normally feeds on the 

 dead or dry plants of Mexico and adjacent arid regions, and that it has 

 simply adapted itself to the somewhat similar conditions prevailing in 

 herbaria. 



This is the tirst true Geometrid, so for as I know, recorded as feeding 

 on dry and dead vegetation. In the Pyralidina a number of species are 

 known to be not only truly carnivorous, 

 feeding on other insects, but also to feed 

 upon gTass and rejectimenta as well as dead 

 leaves. Some Tineina are also known to 

 have similar habits, while in the Deltoid 

 grouj) of the ^octuids several genera are 

 known to me as feeding on dead leaves. 

 Thus Helta {Einzeiixis) cemula Hiibn. (Fig. 8) 

 has been found in the autumn feeding on 

 dead leaves of Hickory in Virginia, the larva 

 hibernating and the imago issuing the fol- 

 lowing sjuing. Palthis asopialis Guen. and 

 Zanclognatha minivaUs Grote (Fig. 0) have also been found feeding on 

 the dead leaves of Oak. These facts are recorded 

 in Packard's Report on Forest Insects (Fifth 

 Report U. S. Entomological Commission) from 

 my notes, but it is worthy of remark that 

 Packard also bred H. cemula from larvse beaten 

 from spruce trees, though whether they were 

 feeding on the dead leaves or on the living was 

 not ascertained. So Helia americalis Guen. (Fig. 

 10), as recorded by me in the American Natn- 

 ralist, October, 1883, has been found in the nests 

 of Formica intcgra Xylander (which, according 

 FIG. 10.- H.ua americaiu .• a, to Mr. Pcrgandc, is a racc of rufa). It was origi- 

 larva and moth; 6, joint of nally fouud iu such ucsts by Mcssps, Pergande 

 larva, dorsal view; c, do, lat- ^^^^ Schwarz aiul has siucc bccu ascertained to 



eral view ; a, tip oi pupa — en- 

 larged (original). bc vcry commou in such situations. Yet Guenee 



records this species, but without authority, as living on leguminous 



'FiG.^.—Zanclofinatha minivalis: a 

 adult; b, cf antenna; c, larva; d, e, 

 joints of same; a. and c, natural size; 

 6, d, and e, enlarged (original). 



