326 



Couuty, Cal., inclosing- us specimens of a scale insect which were 

 taken from trees imported this season from Florida, and which prove 

 ■to be the well-known Wax-scale of Florida {(Jeroplastes pjridensiH). It 

 has not previously been reported from the State ol California, and Mr. 

 Collins writes that the specimens are the first of the kind that have 

 been seen in San Bernardino Couuty. Up to the present time the spe- 

 cies has been supposed to be confined to the State of Florida, where 

 its principal food plant is the Gall-berrj' [Hex glabra), a plant which 

 grows wild in the flat woods and in low oronuds about ponds. It also 

 lives and thrives u|)on Quince, Apple, and Pear, and occurs everywhere 

 upon the Orange, but usually in insignificant numbers. It is uot noted 

 as a pest in Florida, but occasionally it will increase upon an individ- 

 ual tree so as to arouse apprehension. It is readily killed by the kero- 

 sene emulsion spray, which should be ai)plied while the majority of the 

 insects are young. 



THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 



Alarchl, 1889. — Judge Lawrence Jobiisou presented <i paper ou the "Jigger-flea of 

 Florida," giving an account of its life-habits, and the damage which it causes to 

 young poultry. The best preventives are cleanliness and keeping the young chickens 

 away from dry, dusty places that are protected from rain. 



Professor Riley spoke of some Microgasters aft'ecting Rhopalocera, dwelling upon the 

 great variability of the species and the difScnlty of finding specific characters. He 

 considers the sculpture, especially of the sciitellum, as aftording the best character. 

 He identities Microgaster pieridis Pack, as Apanteles glomeratiis, although the American 

 form ditt'ers in the leg coloration. 



Mr. Marlatt read a paper ou Lycwna comi/iitas, referring to an immense swarm of 

 these butterflies noticed flying about an elm tree at Manhattan, Kansas. Other in- 

 stances of the swarming of butterflies were mentioned in the discussion. 



Jpril 4, 1S89. — Mr. M. L. Liuell was elected an active member, and notice was given 

 that the third number of the Proceedings had been issued. A letter was read from 

 Baron C. R. Osten-Sackeu, inclosing a note for publication entitled "Correction to 

 the Monographs of the Diptera of North America, No. 1, Washington, 1862.'' 



Dr. Marx read a paper called "Some spiders from the Galapagos Islands." This 

 paper was based ou the collection made by the scientific force of the steamer Albatross, 

 and uearly all of the spiders were new. This paper gave rise to a discussion on the 

 value of insular faunaj iu the light of the theory of evolution. 



Mr. Schwarz read a paper ou "Vitality of Insects in Cold Water." His observa- 

 tions were made ou the shores of Lake Superior, where, under certain conditions, 

 immense numbers of insects are sometimes washed ashore. He explained this phe- 

 nomenon, and presented a tabular statement of the conditiou of insects of dift'ereut 

 families. 



Mr. Howard presented a note on the "Mouth parts of the Cockroach," describing 

 iu detail these parts aud calling attention to a formerly unnoticed sclerite. 



WiLLi.xM H. Fox, M. D., 



liecordiuq Secretary. 



