62 N. S. ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



SOME NOTES ON OLENE VAGANS B. AND MCD. IN 



NOVA SCOTIA. 



by 

 W. H. Brittain and H. G. Payne 



Introduction 



In June, 1917, a number of caterpillars of the genus Olene 

 were collected beneath "tanglefoot" bands in an orchard at 

 Wolfville, N. S. and taken to the insectary at Kentville for 

 rearing. In due course the adults emerged and from this ma- 

 terial a number of fertile eggs were obtained, from which twenty 

 five individual larvae were reared through all stages. The 

 adults from this lot were again allowed to mate in captivity, 

 and, from eggs secured in this way, a further suppply of larvae 

 were obtained, which are now in hibernation. The foregoing 

 material forms the basis for the present study. 



Identity of the Insect. 



Both larval and adult specimens of both sexes were re- 

 ferred, for determination to Dr. J. McDunnough, who believes 

 them to represent the species vagans, but rather inclining to- 

 wards willingi, the Saskatchewan race, in depth of ground color. 

 He further states that upon re-examination of the type material 

 and comparison with our own and other specimens, he finds 

 that willingi must be referred to vagans, as listed in the re- 

 vision of the genus (Barnes & McDunnough, Contrib. Nat. 

 Hist. Lep. N. A., Vol. 11, No. 2. The N. American Species 

 of Liparid Genus Olene,: 60-65, Decatur, 111. April 13, 1915) 

 and should not be regarded as a distinct species as stated in a 

 later note (Vol. IV, No. 2.: 129-130, May 15, 1918.) 



Food Plants 



As far as we have been able to discover, the larvae of 

 Olene vagans feed entirely on apple in Nova Scotia. Barnes 

 and McDunnough mention the form vagans as being taken on 

 beech, while grisea was fed on oak and willingi on poplar. Since 

 we have never taken the insect in abundance, it may be that, 

 unknown to us, it favors other food plants than the apple. 



Summary of Life History. 



The eggs are deposited from the middle to the end of July, 

 and hatch in from twelve to fifteen days after having been de- 



