NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 37 



Kertesz (18) has issued the third volume of his general 

 catalogue of Diptera, dealing with the Stratiomyiidae, Erinnidae, 

 Ccenomyiidfe, Tabanid^, Pantophthalmidae, and EhagionidaB, 

 totalling 167 genera and 2874 species. 



Mitzmain (4) considers the ivle of the flea in the transmission 

 of bubonic plague from rats. 



Swezey (5) and Townsend (10) discuss certain points in the 

 biology of Tachinidse ; the former also (7) noting certain devia- 

 tions from usual habit in parasitic Hymenoptera. 



Kirkaldy (8) has outlined a new classification of Heteropterous 

 Hemiptera, based on their supposed pbylogeny. 



Kolbe (9) has commenced a " new system of Coleoptera." 



Holmgren (14) describes several new Coleoptera and Hymeno- 

 ptera, myrmecophiles from the Neotropical Region. 



To prevent future confusion, it may be stated here that the 

 "Circulars" of the Division of Entomology of the Hawaiian 

 Sugar Planters' Experiment Station are not " publications." 

 Up to the end of September, 1908, seven have been printed, but 

 are purely private issues, and are not in circulation. 



NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. 



Leucoph.ea surinamensis (Orthoptera). — Though interesting to 

 the entomologist, the establishment of a new cockroach with us is 

 looked upon in a different light by the gardener. L. surinamensis 

 certainly seems to be spreading somewhat rapidly. It is already a 

 nuisance at Kew Gardens. I have just received a specimen for 

 identification from Mr. G. T. Lyle, which was found crawling about 

 on Christmas Day in a hothouse at Bishopstoke, Hants. — W. J, 

 Lucas. 



Aberration of Malacosoma neustria. — Referring to the aberra- 

 tion of Malacosoma neustria figured in your December number, I 

 have four similar aberrations, all females, bred from ova of a Tiverton 

 (Devon) female in July, 1896. — E. F. Studd ; Oxton, Exeter, 

 December 26th, 1908. 



Note on Lyctus caualiculatus, F. — I recently had brought 

 under my notice a length of thick lead gas-piping pierced through and 

 through with tiny holes about Ih mm. in diameter. A piece of 

 Australian " hardwood " along which the pipe had been run was also 

 given me. This showed the presence of small white grubs some 

 4 mm. to 5 mm. in length. I placed some of the wood in breeding- 

 cages, and in a few weeks there emerged numbers of Lyctus cauali- 

 culatus, so well known as a destroyer of wicker furniture. The holes 

 in the lead pipe were cleanly drilled as by a sharp awl ; their diameter 

 at the top was slightly greater than at the bottom. The gas-pipe 

 was between the roof and ceiling of a building here in Launceston, 

 and the damage was only discovered when workmen were endeavour- 



