I04 REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I92I 



Colpodia trifolii Felt. A series of males and females of this 

 species was received from P. R. Lowry, April 8, 1921, all labelled 

 as having been reared from wheat stubble in Hessian fly cages at 

 Sandusky, Ohio, September 12-18, 1920. There were no data to 

 suggest the part of the stubble infested by this gall midge. A 

 related species, C. sanguinia Felt, was received in 1915 from 

 Dr J. M. Aldrich accompanied by the statement that the insect was 

 reared from an almost pure blue grass turf. Another species, C. 

 pratensis Felt, was taken under such conditions as to suggest 

 a host relationship with Kentucky blue grass. 



The midges referable to the genus Colpodia are remarkable for 

 their very narrow wings. They presumably represent an extreme 

 type of specialization and as two other American species, C. 

 pectinata Felt and C. temeritatis Felt, have been reared 

 from galls on linden and ash respectively under conditions suggest- 

 ing an inquiline relation, it is quite possible that the various species 

 do not produce galls but subsist upon the distorted tissues resulting 

 from the activities of other gall insects or they may find at the 

 base of the roots of certain grasses approximately similar condi- 

 tions. This latter may be the reason why midges of this genus have 

 been obtained from grassy areas. 



Panorpa? rufescens Ramb. A larva approximately three- 

 quarters grown and presumably referable to this species was found 

 in the environs of Albany July 27, 192 1 within a fine specimen of 

 the fungus, Sebacinaincrustans (Pers.) Tul, The larva 

 had probably entered the fungus in search of animal food, since it 

 appears to be predaceous. It is quite possible that it was in a bur- 

 row excavated by some other insect, though there was no evidence 

 of other invaders. Adult specimens of Panorpa were said to be 

 somewhat common in the area where this larva was found. 



Periodical cicada (Tibicen septendecim Linn.) . The 

 brood of this most interesting insect which appeared in 1919 is the 

 largest which occurs in the United States though it is restricted to a 

 very limited portion of New York State. 



Early records show that there were large swarms in Queens and 

 Suffolk counties in 1902 and that it was observed that year at Wan- 

 tagh, Nassau county, and also in Richmond and Kings counties, 

 thus confirming earlier records. 



A circular letter was given to the press at about the time the 

 insects were due to appear and the following is a summary of the 

 information received. 



