Vol. xxii] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS I4T 



Mr, Kearfott spoke at some length on the methods employed 

 in capturing, rearing and preparing Micro-lepidoptera and of 

 the magnitude of the field for the ardent worker. As an il- 

 lustration of what might be done anywhere he said that in New 

 Jersey, the insect fauna of which is better known than that of 

 any other State, over 50 per cent, of the species recorded during 

 the past ten years were new to the State, and that eventually 

 the present number of species known from that region — about 

 1500 — will be increased to 3000. 



Micro-lepidoptera in general are very easily bred. The 

 larvae are simply collected and placed in small screw-top vials 

 in which the food keeps fresh from ten days to two weeks. In 

 that period of time most micro-lepidoptera, if not too small 

 when collected, will have reached the pupal stage. Occasional- 

 ly mould sets in ; but this is unusual, and when it occurs the 

 screw-top should be removed and a bit of cheese cloth sub- 

 stituted. 



All breeding notes may be put on 8x10 cards and filed away, 

 the name of the species being added when obtained. 



Very interesting in their life history are certain species of 

 Micropterygidae which were discovered mining in the leaves 

 of oak, birch and chestnut. The larvae cause blotches on the 

 leaves as large as a silver dollar. They become full grown 

 in about ten days when they drop to the ground and remain 

 as larvae until the following April when the pupal condition is 

 assumed. Beyond this stage the species were not reared, the 

 group determination being made by the pupse which show the 

 peculiar long folded maxillary palpi. 



Equally interesting are the species of Nymphtila which have 

 been bred by Dr. W. T. M. Forbes. The larval life is spent 

 beneath the surface of the water and tracheal gills are develop- 

 ed, though functionless spiracles are present as well. 



All Micro-lepidoptera are best captured as adults in the 

 evening just after sundown. Mr. Kearfott has taken between 

 200 and 300 specimens representing dozens of species in a space 

 fifty feet square at this time of day. 



