290 



Another interesting find was the Coccinellid known as Crypiohvmus 

 montrousiee, the larvii3 of which feed upon a species of Dactylopins in- 

 festing- Aurocaria. This insect was found everywhere, and always upon 

 some Dactylopins. A large number of specimens were sent. 



A further letter dated January 25, and an accompanying sending, 

 have also been received, and another lot of Oocciiiellids was sent over, 

 consisting chiefly of the two species of Orcus, and numerous specimens 

 of a small Scymnus j)reying upon the Eed Scale. A number of the 

 larvic and chrysalids of Thalpochares eocciphaga^ the Lepidopterons in- 

 sect which preys upon large scales like Lecanium and MonopMoehnSy 

 "vere also sent. More specimens of the new species of Vedalia were 

 found, and a most interesting Blastobasis, which is very destructive to 

 a Chionaspis upon Orange, has also been discovered. Mr. Koebele 

 writes that whole branches are spun over with a flne web interwoven 

 \vith the remains of scale insects, and under this web hundreds of the 

 Blastobasis larviie can be found upon each tree. Should it be ijossible 

 to import this insect in good condition, it will undoubtedly prove of 

 great value in orange orchards infested not only by Chionaspis citri but 

 also by the species of Mytilaspis and Parlatoria. For some reason this 

 last sending did not reach Los Angeles in good condition. Only a very 

 few of the Coccinellids were alive and still fewer of the Thalpochares. 

 The boxes containing the Blastobasis were sent direct to Washington, 

 and careful examination shows only two living larvie and a few pupa^^ 

 which appear to be unhealthy, and from which we may not succeed in 

 rearing the moths. Mr. Coqnillett is taking every pains to thoroughly 

 acclimatize the specimens sent to him at Los Angeles, and on the whole 

 it seems probable that some good may be accomplished, particularly if 

 he is able to acclimatize the two species of Orcus. 



A LEAF-MINER IN WHEAT. 



Early in November, in a small plat of wheat sown on the grounds of 

 the Experiment Station, at Columbus, Ohio, on July 20, a single larva 

 was observed mining in one of the larger leaves of one of the plants, 

 near the upper extremity. The infested plant was transferred to the 

 insectary, where the larva continued to feed, working its way down- 

 ward near the edge of the leaf toward the base. November 10 it 

 abandoned the plant and was placed in a small glass tube. The length 

 of the larva at this time was about 10 mm., the color yellowish, with 

 dorsal tranverse dark bands. After spinning a very thin white cocoon, 

 through which its every movement could be clearly observed, it passed 

 into the chrysalis stage on the 18th. The chrysalis was 4 mm. in length, 

 and from it the imago emerged December 1. The adult proved to be 

 Elacliista prcematurella Clem., kindty determined for me by Miss Murt- 

 feldt. 



In the Tineina of North America (edited by Stainton), p. 133, Dr. 

 Clemens simply states that " the imago may be taken on the wing in 



