118 



From this comparison it is seen that so far as known, there 

 are two habits of living for members of this family : larvae of 

 some species live on algae in running water or moist places; 

 larvae of other species breed in manure and decomposing 

 organic matter. 



Mr. Kotinsky had been pestered by this and another small 

 dipteron swarming about the lamp in his study. He was 

 certain that they both breed in the moist rice chaff placed in a 

 sake tu1_) with growing ferns. Mr. Swezey observed that the 

 comparison between the Brazilian species and the one studied 

 by Mrs. Swezey is interesting in that the former replenished 

 the air supply by means of tracheal gills while the latter 

 breathed by means of spiracle tubes, as well as trachese. 



Notes on Crabronidae [Hymen.] 



BY R. C. L. PERKINS, SC. D. (*) 



Observations on recent Swarms of Caterpillars at Kaimuki 



BY OTTO H. SWEZEY. 



The copious rains of December and January caused a luxuri- 

 ant growth of grass and weeds to spring up in this barren 

 district ; and also the Lantana and other nearly dead shrubbery 

 to take on a vigorous growth. This growth was soon attacked 

 by numerous caterpillars, however, and in many cases the 

 plants entirely stripped of their foliage. The following species 

 were most conspicuous : 



V\anessa cardui, feeding on Malva. 



Vmiessa huniera, feeding on Gnaphalium. 



Sphina: convolvuli, feeding on Ipomoea, also occasionally on 

 Xanthium. 



Deilephila lineaia, feeding on Portulaca, Boerhaavia and 

 occasionally Xanthvum. 



Leucania unipuncta, feeding on various grasses. 



Leucania amhlycasis, an occasional caterpillar in grass, 



Agrotis crinigera, feeding on grasses. Datura and Sida. 



Agrotis dislocata, feeding on grasses and Ghmphalkim.. 



Agrotis saucia, not numerous, feeding on Sonchus and other 

 weeds. 



Agrotis ypsilon, a few on Sonchus and other weeds. 



* Owing to the absence of Dr. Perkins, the MS. of this paper was not 

 obtainable. — Eds. 



