152 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [November, 



plans for the profitable rearing of the larvae of this, or other American 

 silk spinners. Also for preparing their cocoons. Offers a prize ($50.00) 

 for this purpose." 



An interesting paper was read by Dr. C. M. Weed, the subject of which 

 was "The food plants of the Clover Stem Borer {Languria tnoxandi). 

 Fifteen species of the plants were reported on which the larvae is known 

 to feed. 



Prof. Osbom followed with a paper on a peculiar Coleopterous larva 

 infesting the stems of plants. 



Dr. Weed presented a short paper upon the oviposition of Listronotus 

 latiusculus. The eggs are laid in bunches of five to ten on the leaf stalks 

 of Sagittaria variabilis, and are covered with bits of epidermis chewed 

 up by the adult beetle. 



Mr. Charles Robertson made some remarks upon the habits of .fi'w/Ac^ 

 bombiliforniis, which he stated was apparently a special visitor of Hibis- 

 cus. The nests were constructed by burrowing in the ground, and, in 

 order to facilitate the excavation, water was frequently carried to the hole 

 with which the bottom was moistened. Sometimes but one pellet of earth 

 would be carried out after an application of water, while in some cases he 

 had observed aS many as four of these pellets thrown out immediately 

 following an application. 



Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt read a charming paper entitled, " Some expe- 

 riences in rearing insects." In this paper some valuable hints were given 

 as to the best way to manage larvae so as to carry them to maturity, and 

 the most frequent causes of failure were mentioned. The paper was 

 listened to with great attention by all present. 



The Secretary proceeded to read the following paper upon "The Pre- 

 paratory Stages of ^M.y/'r£>/'za caduca,'' by D. S. Kellicott, of Columbus, O. 



Prof Cook presented a note upon a new breeding habit in Agrotis C- 

 nigruni. He had found the eggs on the foliage of currant bushes and 

 reared the larvae thereon. 



Prof Osborn read an interesting paper on the period of incubation of 

 Mallophaga. 



Mr. S. F. Earle presented several interesting notes on some injurious 

 insects of southern Mississippi. Diabrotica 12-punctata was a very abun- 

 dant insect, and, in addition to its well-known food-plants, it also fed to 

 an injurious extent upon the foliage of peach and also cabbage. Cut- 

 worms were very injurious in gardens. A species of Aphis worked seri- 

 ous injury to the cucumber and melon veins. Pieris rapes is exceedingly 

 destructive. Doryphora w-lineata had not yet reached southern Missis- 

 sippi. Sphinx larvae were very destructive to the foliage of tomatoes and 

 the boll worm to the fruit. 



(To be continued.) 



F. H. Webster, 



Secretary. 



Entomological News for October was mailed October 2, iSgo. 



