i6 The Ottawa Naturalist. [April 



probably the species most complained of. The army-worm, 

 which last year did serious damage to crops in almost every 

 county of Ontario, was at Ottawa only represented by a few of 

 the moths taken by collectors. In other districts they are re- 

 ported as having occurred in myriads. A local outbreak of the 

 Tussock moth on the shade trees ol Toronto created much 

 interest. In was not a new attack, having been watched by the 

 Leaders from time to time for the last ten years when passing 

 through Toronto to attend the annual meeting of the Entomo- 

 logical Society of Ontario. The sudden increase in the numbers, 

 however, attracted the attention of the City Council, and mainly 

 through the energy of Alderman John Hallam, steps have been 

 taken to destroy the eggs during this winter. In this way there 

 is no doubt the beautiful shade trees for which Toronto is cele- 

 brated will be saved. 



Among interesting insects sent in for identification, men- 

 tion may be made, as illustrating unexpected foods for insects, 

 of a small beetle received from Mr. E. Carew Gibson, of Victoria, 

 B.C. This is Trigonogenius farctus a.nd was found feeding in 

 both the larval and perfect form in a tin of Cayenne pepper. 

 Another species with the same habits, Sitodrepa patiicea, called 

 the bread beetle, was also received a few years ago from Mr 

 J. F. Whiteaves of the Geological Survey. 



Lasiodernia serricome, the cigarette beetle, as its common 

 name indicates, has has a penchant for chewing tobacco and is 

 occasionally very injurious in cigar and cigarette factories. 



Among general work done during the year may be 

 mentioned the determination of specimens sent in by collectors 

 in various localities from Newfoundland to British Columbia ; 

 work which, although it occupies time which might be given to the 

 study of our own insects, is cheerfully performed in order to en- 

 courage those taking up entomology. A considerable knowledge 

 is at the same time attained of the distribution of our insects. 



