44 THE FLORIDA ENTOMOLOGIST 
The insect belongs to the cut worm family and resembles 
somewhat, both in larval and adult form, some of our common 
pests, as the sweet potato caterpillar, P. commelinae, and the cot- 
ton boll cut worm, P. ornithogalli. When full grown the larva 
was about 2 inches long and of a brownish gray velvety color 
with a wide dark band down the dorsal surface and 3 narrow 
golden brown stripes along each side; ventral surface greenish 
brown. 
It pupated July 31st in soil and the moth emerged August 
ie 1922. 
ARTHUR C. MASON. 
THE PSOCID OF THE OAKS 
FRANK STIRLING 
Thruout the south-eastern United States, especially in Flor- 
ida, the water oaks frequently take on a bright silvery-grey col- 
oring which shows particularly on the Jarger limbs and trunks. 
Close observation shows this to be caused by a silky web which 
completely covers the surface. This web is of a bright, clear 
color and glistens in the sun and on bright moonlight nights, 
making an effect well worth noticing. , 
By removing a part of the web with a pen knife or sharp 
stick one may, by carefully observing, note countless numbers 
of a tiny insect. This little insect is known as a psocid (Psocus 
sp.) and is related to the book-lice. These psocids are useful 
rather than injurious, as they feed on fungus growths and 
lichens which grow on the trunks and larger limbs of the oaks. 
They apparently spin this fine, gauzy web for their protection 
against birds and other enemies which would otherwise destroy 
them. 
This insect is reported as occurring in especial abundance on 
water oaks in the vicinity of Lakeland, Orlando, Sorrento, Dade 
City and Gainesville, Fla., along the Gulf Coast in the vicinity 
of New Orleans, La., and near Mobile, Ala. To those not in- 
formed the appearance of this grey, silvery covering is often 
viewed with alarm. 
The webs, together with the insects, will disappear after a 
short time and the only effect upon the tree will be a cleaner 
and healthier appearance of the bark. 
