29 



Another fine variety of Cimbjex is the C imbex decem-maculata 



of L/each. This has a dark abdomen with five yellow blotches on either 

 side. In some instances the blotches extend upwards till they nearly meet 

 on the dorsum. In these instances the insect reminds one of the Climbex 

 lutea of England. 



On the 3rd of June, 1903, I found a peculiar form of C imbex under 

 remarkable circumstances. I had visited the Gomin Swamp; but dense 

 smoke from forest fires filled the atmosphere, and the sun, when it 

 showed itself at all, was like a copper disk — there was nothing on the 

 wing. I walked down to Sillery, intending to tajke the New Liverpool boat 

 to the city, but so thick was the gloom that the captain of the boat 

 was afraid to make the trip. I then took' the ascent to the 

 Plains of Wolfe's Cove. Half way up the steep I found the insect I am 

 telling of, lying upon its back. It hadthe general outline of C. Americana; 

 but its head, thorax, abdomen and wings were all of a deep purple. 

 So dark w^ere the w^ings that the venation could be traced only with diffi- 

 culty. The antennae and feet were yellow, as in Americana. I do 

 not know tihat anyone has named this insect: to distinguish it in my list 

 I will call it Obscura. 



I. 



Trichiosoma triangulum Kirby is an insect somewhat re- 

 sembling Americana but smaller and hairy ( Hence the generic 

 name TRICHIAS, ou 6, one that is hairy, Gr., and Soma, body, Gr.,) . 

 The larvae of this species attaches a broAvn parchment-like cocoon to 

 the leaves of its food plant. It w^as common among the alders round the 

 Gomin Swamp. 



The most destructive saw-fly thaat has troubled Canada in our day 

 has been Lygaeonematus Erichsonii Hartig. Its armies show- 

 ed themselves on our borders in 1872-3. In 1874 I witnessed a flight of 

 them crossing the St. Ivawrence. Wherever they went they carried de- 

 vastation to the Tamarack forests. In the 22nd Annual Report of the 

 Entomological Society of Ontario, page 28, will be found a carefully 

 prepared estimate of the loss occasioned by them in one township alone. 

 A very faint idea of the loss to the country at large may be gained from 

 it. 



The Dominion Entomologist, Dr. C. Gordon Hewitt, is now engaged 

 in searching for parasites of this destructive pest. In a useful Bulletin 

 (No. 10) lately issued much information concerning his work will be 

 found. 



Another "undesirable immigrant" to Canada was Pteronus Ri- 

 besii Scopoli. This made its appearance in 1858. It assails our goose- 

 berry' and currant bushes, commencing its operations as soon as the fo- 

 liage appears and outdoing in damage the native currant saw fly, Pris- 

 tiphora grossulariae Walsh. 



