88 



to the root and remained in a semi-torpid condition, sometimes coming out on warm days-- 

 and eating a little. On 13th October I found that it had pupated, and I was thus irt 

 possession of the complete life-history of the species. The chrysalis which was contained 

 in a light cocoon about an inch long, made by catching a few blades of grass together and 

 lining them with silk, was almost erect and seemed to be kept from lying against the 

 cocoon by a few strands of silk. Chrysalis six lines in length, head-case square in front, 

 eye-cases large and bold, between the eyes and on each side of them are tufts of tawny 

 hair, with which the thorax and abdomen are also invested. Wing, leg and antenna 

 cases smooth. Abdomen at 3rd segment covered laterally by the wing-cases and slightly 

 wider than thorax or eyes. On segments 4, 5, 6 of the abdomen, beneath, the prolegs of 

 the caterpillar are still visible. Meso-thorax tumid and bearing upon its anterior margin,, 

 behind the eyes two elevated tuberculated prominences, in front of which in the furrow 

 between the pro- and meso-thorax is the opening of the thoracic spiracle. Wing-cases 

 extending to the middle of the 4th abdominal segment, from their apices the tongue-cases; 

 run free and disconnected to the posterior margin of the 7th abdominal segment. There 

 are also two shorter and wider cases which exceed the wings and run free to the posterior 

 margin of 5th abdominal segment. These are probably the extremities of the cases of 

 the metathoracic pair of legs. Upon the dorsal surface of the abdomen are two series* of 

 small concave disks, a sub-dorsal anterior series and a lateral posterior series, one pair 

 upon each abdominal segment. Cremaster consisting of a few large rounded hooks. The 

 colour of the head, leg- and antenna-cases, black. Wing-cases at first green and afterwards 

 greenish-black. Pro-thorax black. Meso and meta-thorax brown. Abdomen light brown. 

 All grasses offered were eaten readily, Panicum Crus-Galli and Triticum repens 

 perhaps with the greatest avidity, and Phelum pralense with the least. 



Awblyscirtes Vialis, Edw. — This pretty little butterfly was caged on 9th in a tomato 

 can, and the same day five eggs were secured, white shaped like those of G. Mandan, but 

 rather Jarger. All were laid upon the green leaves of a cut down tuft of Avena striata. 

 The young larvre hatched on 20th, pretty little white caterpillars with black heads. As 

 soon as they were placed on a tuft of Poa pratensis the} crawled up to the tip of a blade 

 and made a tent by drawing the opposite sides half way together with one strong strand 

 of silk. Here they remained about five days, eating a little from the edge of the leaf and 

 then disappeared. Their tuft of grass was left uncovered, and I think they were killed 

 by the dryness of the air. They should have been covered with a glass. 



Nitsouiades Icelus, Lint. — A female of this species tied upon willow (Salix cordata) 

 laid one beautiful greenish winged and netted egg on 10th July. This was the same as 

 had been found upon willow bushes in the open and supposed to belong to this species, but 

 the origin of which was now proved. My young larva was unfortunately drowned two 

 days after hatching. Mr. Scudder carried his to the third stage. The eggs are laid upon 

 the upper surface of the topmost leaves of willow bushes from six to eight feet from the- 

 ground, and were only found upon the willow above mentioned, which has rather rough, 

 pubescent leaves. 



THE WHEAT MIDGE (Diplosis tritici, Kirby). 



BY JAMES FLETCHER, OTTAWA. 



Year after year this troublesome insect seriously injures the wheat crop of our 

 Province, and there is no doubt that more systematic efforts ought to be made by farmers 

 to reduce its ravages, or it is by no means impossible that it'may develop into the dread- 

 ful scourge it was some years ago. In the year 1857 it destroyed one-third of the whole 

 wheat crop of the Province. From that year down to about 1869 the injuries were very 

 severe ; but after that they decreased in an almost miraculous manner. Now, however, the 

 effects of the Wheat Midge upon our wheat crops are complained of by millers and farmers 

 from all quarters of the Province, and in some parts of Canada the cultivation of wheat is- 



