REPORTS OP OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS. 1 7 



are always two holes in the cornstalk, one at each end of where it baa 

 bored the inside out. The injured stalks break off in wind storms." 



The insects had entered the chrysalis stage when received, so thai tin- 

 larva is unknown to me. It would appear from what Mr. Smith writes 

 that some of the larvre leave the stalks to transform, while other- do 

 not. At any rate, its comparative abundance and boring habits would 

 indicate that we have in this insect a quite dangerous corn pest. It 

 certainly will require additional study before we are entirely acquainted 

 with it in all of its changes and life-history. The only encouragement 

 that I can now offer is the presence, apparently, of a dipterous parasite 

 in the u white maggot," mentioned by Mr. Smith. 



Stcarms.of a Xoctuid Moth. — Large swarms of Xoctuhl moths appeared 

 almost simultaneously at many widely separated points in Nebraska 

 and adjoining regions during apple-blooming time, and a number of 

 letters were received concerning them. Many of my correspondents 

 seemed to think they were the codling moth (Carpocapsa pomonella) 

 that had issued somewhat prematurely and were simply waiting for the 

 proper time for oviposition. Consequently, their having taken alarm 

 could not be wondered at. Judging from the material accompanying 

 some of the letters, it is supposed that the swarms were chiefly made 

 up of a single species of cutworm moth (Ghorizagrotis introferens), 

 although several other species were represented in some localities. The 

 material received varied greatly in size and markings, as could be seen 

 even from the much-rubbed specimens in question. At the time nothing 

 was thought of the matter, and none of the insects were saved. A little 

 later, when the Entomologist requested an investigation of the larval 

 stages of this species, with its life-history and food-habits, the swarms 

 of moths had disappeared, their going having been apparently as sud- 

 den and complete a mystery as was their coming. A careful search by 

 myself and several students at different places where moths had been 

 very plentiful during the invasion failed to reveal any larva' in uncom- 

 monly great numbers; and all requests by letter among such corre- 

 spondents as were addressed on the subject were just as futile. 



It is greatly to be regretted that no solution of this insect's life- 

 history and food-habits were made when such apparently good 

 opportunities were offered for the purpose. Was not this one of those 

 peculiar cases of an ordinarily rare insect gathering in countless 

 numbers and migrating to regions new that we sometimes hear about 

 or have occasion to record I Were not the swarms of moths gradually 

 brought together and wafted into the region by some peculiarly favor- 

 able winds from the southwest.' 1 can imagine no other solution of 

 this problem. It seems identical with the case of the Ah tin xylina, 

 which often appears over much of the region lying to the tar north of 

 its natural range, and away from all of its known food -plants. 

 1493— Bull. 32 2 



