134 FA-I'F.mTION TO POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 



The following is Professor Itiley's report: 

 REPORT Cr<>.\ A COLLKCTWX <>/' I\fiKdT8 MADE AT POINT BARROW, ALASKA. 







i;.v C. V. Kii.KY, Curator of Insectt, United States National Museum. 



No. 1, found swarming around the dead bodies at tlie Eskimo cemetery, June 22, 1S82, is a- 

 species of Scatophaga and, in all probability, undescribed. It comes nearest to tbe reddish-haired 

 specimens of Ft. Ntcn'ontria Linn., a form common to both Europe and America, but Dr. S. W. 

 Williston, to whom specimens were referred, considers it distinct. The arista is bare, the bristles 

 are fewer, weaker, and shorter, and the cross- veins of tbe wing are narrowly but strongly clouded. 

 In tbe twelve specimens examined there is some variation in these respects and in tbe coloration of 

 tbe legs. Judging from the known habits of the genus to which the species belongs there can be 

 little question that tbe larva would be found preying upon dead animal and stercoraceous matter. 



No. 2, which is reported rather abundant near the pools all over the tundra, but keeping very 

 quiet except on the occasional calm and. warm days, .represents three different species of Chirono- 

 mvK, most of the specimens too poor to identify. The observations of their habits correspond to 

 the well-known aquatic habits of the genus. 



No. 3, taken near the station, June 22, is also a species of Scatophaga, showing some points of 

 difference from No. 1, bnt probably only varietal. 



No. 4, found not commonly flying around sunny banks, is one of the Crane-flies (Tipulida-) 

 belonging to the genus Ctenophora. There are two species represented by the number, both 

 apparently new. Tbe larva; of these flies dwell in meadows, feeding on tbe roots of grass. 



No. 5, which batched from a cocoon in tbe house, is a female, imperfectly developed, of Laria 

 rosxii Curt., one of the Bombycida. 1 . common in Europe and North America, and originally de- 

 scribed under the genus Da.tyrhira. It is a rare species. 



Nos. G and 7, which are described as parasites from cocoons similar to that of No. 5, represent 

 two very different Dipterous insects. No. 6 is a Tachinid tbe habits of which are well known to 

 be parasitic upon Lepidopterous larva;. The specimens are too much damaged for proper identi- 

 fication, and, in fact, the whole group needs proper working up, there being already upwards of 

 200 undetermined species in my own collection and in that of the Department of Agriculture. 

 The species comes nearest to one I have reared from the beautiful Lepidopteron, Endryas grata. 

 No. 7 is, on the contrary, not parasitic, but a species of Chirononim and having, without doubt, 

 similar aquatic habits to No. 2. 



No. 8 is an Anthomyia that from the soiled material cannot well be identified, but is very near 

 to A. zccv. Kiley, the habits of which will be found recorded in tbe lirst Eeport on the Insects of 

 Missouri, p. 1.">1. 



No. 0, taken June 27, is also a Tacbinid identical with No. G. 



No. 10, which was found not uncommon in the dryer and sunny spots in the tundra from May 

 till July, is Amara obtusa Le Conte, family Carabiilfr. The species was originally described from 

 Alaska and does not appear to extend further south and cast. Among tbe seven specimens col- 

 lected, Mr. E. A. Schwarz, to wbom I referred them, finds the following variations which are of 

 interest to record though parallel series are known to occur in other arctic Coleoptera. Two spec- 

 imens have the elytra decidedly more parallel on the sides and consequently the apex more sud- 

 denly rounded; the basal punctation of the thorax is well marked in three specimens, while in the 

 remaining four the middle of tbe base is more or less smooth, the sculpture of the elytral stria- is 

 very strong in some and nearly obsolete in other specimens. The color of antenna;, elytra, and 

 legs varies from red to piceous. 



Under No. 11 there are three different insects: (1) tbe same Anthomyia included under No. 

 8; (2) a single specimen of a Neuropterous insect belonging to the Perlid genus Leptocerus Leach, 

 very much damaged and unfit for study; (3) a single specimen of another species of crane-fly be- 

 longing also to the genus Ctenophom, but differing from No. 4, and also, according to Dr. Willis- 

 ton, a new species. 



