105 



mistakable evidence of having been recently tenanted by this species, 

 the accumulated castings and the size of the exit hole indicating 

 the nature of the late occupant. In almost every stem there was 

 equal proof of the presence of a second tenant, viz., Languria mozardi. 

 the latter occupying the upper portion of the stem, the Calandrid the 

 lower. The species was also found breeding in the stems of the 

 so-called large-flowered leaf-cup (Polymnia uvedaliu) at Marshall 

 Hall, Md. 



Other food plants that have been recorded for this insect belong to 

 the genera Xanthium, Helianthus, Cirsium, Ambrosia, and Silphium. 

 Some time ago Rev. G. D. Hulst informed me that this species also 

 breeds in the stems of Yernonia, and it seems probable that it will 

 thrive in all the Composite if not also on some other plants which 

 have stems of sufficient size and structure for its occupancy. 



The hibernated imagos appear in the neighborhood of the District of 

 Columbia as early as the first week in May, and the newly bred imagos 

 have been found the first week of September. 



Two parasites of this species have been observed by the writer. The 

 first of these is the chalcidid Habrocytus rhodobceni Ashrn., reared 

 from material from Eosslyn, Ta., and described in 1896 (Tr. Am. Ent. 

 Soc, Vol. XXIII, p. 220), and the other, also a chalcidid, is unde- 

 scribed.— F. H. C. 



REPORTED INJURY BY GIANT SCARAB.EID BEETLES. 



July 27, 1899. we received through Prof. F. S. Earle, Auburn. Ala., 

 specimens of both sexes of Strategus antceus, a relative of the well- 

 known rhinocerus beetle Dynastes tityus, with, an inclosure from Mr. 

 C. TV. Ewing, Gadsden, Ala., who reported severe injury by these 

 beetles to orchard trees, particularly peach. A specimen of the root 

 of one of these trees accompanied the letter, which showed the gnaw- 

 ing of some animal. Mr. Ewing seems to be positive that beetles were 

 the cause of the injury. Xo such instance of injury by this species 

 has apparently been recorded, but it is not impossible that it may have 

 been done under the most exceptional circumstances, as, for instance, 

 in a locality where many dead roots would afford breeding places for 

 the beetles. A similar instance of injury was reported by our corre- 

 spondent on the authority of his brother, who noticed these beetles 

 upon peach trees at Chattanooga. Tenn. 



April 29, Mr. S. C. Gibson, of the University of Virginia, wrote that 

 Xyloryctes satyrus. another related species, attacked ash in his vicinity, 

 and after boring a hole under the surface of the ground to the depth of 

 an inch or two '• seemed to destroy the bark all around the tree." 



LOCUSTS IN ARGENTINA AND LOURENCO 3IARQUEZ. SOUTHEASTERN 



AFRICA. 



Through Mr. James W. Ayers. United States consul at Eosario, 

 Argentine Republic, the Department has received, by courtesy of the 

 Department of State, a clipping from the Standard, of Buenos Ayres 



