1896.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. I4I 



A NEW USE FOR INSECTS. — Prof. Lester F. Ward recently received a 

 request from Prof. Sargent, of Cambridge, for information as to the Win- 

 ter appearance of SaltJC wardi Bebb, an interesting willow which occurs 

 on the Potomac flats. He yesterday (March 22, 1896) visited the locality 

 where this willow grows, but was unable, in the absence of leaves, to 

 distinguish it from other willows. After some search he found a few 

 specimens, the leaves of which had been webbed to the twigs by the larva 

 of Cerura ^/w^r^a Walker. This enabled identification of the plant, and 

 he secured specimen twigs which were forwarded to Prof. Sargent. Prof. 

 Ward was greatly pleased with the result of his trip, and says that he has 

 a new interest in the subject of entomology. The e.xperience suggested 

 to him that doubtless in many cases deciduous plants could be determined 

 in the Winter time by one familiar with the remains of insects specifically 

 affecting such plants, or with their work. — L. O. Howard. 



The Painted Hickory Borer. — On March 8th beetles were brought 

 to me by a lady who was much afraid that her dwelling might be infested 

 with some terrible household pest. She stated that several beetles had 

 been killed about the house, and even asserted that she had been bitten 

 by one of them. The insects were specimens of the Painted Hickory 

 Borer, Cyllene picius Drury, and their presence in the house in Winter 

 was regarded as a great mystery by the inmates. Upon inquiring if any 

 hickory wood had been brought into the house an affirmative answer was 

 given; and that the wood had lain for some time in a closet to dry. I 

 explained that the larva was a borei of the hickory, that the adults had 

 probably emerged from the wood, and that the insect was never serious 

 as a household pest much to the relief of my friends. According to 

 Packard* the adult usually emerges in June out of doors; and that this 

 species attacks the black walnut and butternut as well as the hickory. — 

 W. E. Britton, New Haven, Conn. 



Identification of Insects Umagos) for Sabscribers. 



Specimens will be named under the following conditions : 1st, The number of species 

 to be limited to twenty-five for each sending; 2d, The sender to pav all expenses of trans- 

 portation and the insects to become the property of the American Entomological Society • 

 3d, Each specimen must have a number attached so that the identification may be an- 

 nounced accordingly. Exotic species named only by special arrangement with the' Editor 

 who should be consulted before specimens are sent. Send a 2 cent stamp with all insects' 

 for return of names. Before sending insects for identification, read page 41, Vol. Ill 

 Address all packages to Ei^itomological News, Academy Natural Sciences Loean 

 Square, Philadelphia, Pa. 



Entomological Literature. 



Under the above head it is intended to note such papers received at the Academy of 

 Natural Sciences of Philadelphia pertaining to the Entomologv of the Americas (North 

 and South). Articles irrelevant to American entomology, unless monographs or con- 

 taining descriptions of new genera, will not be noted. Contributions to the anatomy of 

 insects, however, whether relating to American or exotic species will be recorded. 



I. Jahresheft des naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins, Trencsen, 

 1894-95.— New African and Australian Orthoptera, C. Brancsik. 



' ; 1 . 



* Fifth Report U. S. Entomological Commission on Forest Insects, p. 287. 



