THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



51 



cocoon. I have experimentally proved that an application of kerosene oil 

 is death to them, and though I have had no opportunity of testing it on an 

 extensive scale, I have little hesitancy in advising its use, or that of linseed 

 oil. Alkalies might also be tried. The best time to apply the remedy 

 would doubtless be in March, when tree-growth recommences ; but it 

 must not be delayed bej^ond the end of that month, when the moths com- 

 mence to issue. The most expedient way of applying the kerosene would 

 be by aid of a force pump and spray machine or atomizer, and it would pa}- ' 

 well to first vigorously prune a tree that is badly infested. The kerosene 

 will not injure the tree if applied in a diluted form; and it may be so 

 applied by means of the spraj' machine. 



The only other injurious insect known to form cocoons in company- is 

 a little species belonging to the same genus {B. thuiella, Pack), which is 

 described by Dr. A. S. Packard, Jr.,* as being common on the leaves of 

 a cedar tree (I presume the Eed Cedar is intended), but whose cocoon is 

 smooth instead of ribbed. This species, which I have not met with, is 

 preyed upon by a minute Chalcis-fly, allied to the genus Eidophns, and our 

 apple-leaf Bucculatrix is similarly attacked by some such parasite, as many 

 of the cocoons may be found Avith minute round holes at one end, through 

 which such parasites have issued. 



Bucculatrix POMiroLiELLA, Clem.— Larva. — Cylindrical and submoniliform; tapers anteriorly 

 and posterioi'ly; with punctifoi'm points and isolated hairs; first segment with rather ubnndant dorsal 

 iiairs; thoracic feet three; abdominal four and very short, terminal one pair. Head small, ellijisoidal, 

 brown; body dark yellowish-green, tinged with reddish anteriorlj-; hairs blrfckish and short.— 

 Clemens . 



Pupa, — O.Vi inch long. Amber-brown. Head often ending in a little point. Dorsum .sha- 

 greened, except a hind rim on each joint which is slightly ridged and smooth. Penultimate joint 

 longest and most slender. Apical joint blunt, with an anterior carinated, transverse ridge above 

 and sometimes forming a point at each side. Legs reaching to penultimate joint; wing sheatlw 

 'which are paler) to the preceding one. 



THE APPLE-TWIG BOBMB— Bostrichus [Amphicerus'] hicaudatus, Say. 



(Coleopetra, Ptinidaj) 



There is a little brown 



cylindrical beetle, which is 



so common in Missouri, and 



is so ver}^ apt to attract the 



notice of nurserymen, tha^ 



numerous specimens are re- 

 ceived at my otRce every spring and fall. I have passed it by unnoticed in 

 jirevious reports, in hope of completing its natural history before treating 

 of it; but to satisfy the numerous inquirers, I present the above figures 

 with the accompanying short account of the beetle. 



* First Ann. Rep. on the Inj. and Ben. Ins. of Mass. p. -24. 



