ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON. 



Thursday, June 4, 1891.— William D. Eicbardsou, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, was 

 elected a corresponding member. Mr. L. O. Howard oftered some remarks on tbe Uiglit 

 of Micro-bymeuoptera, explaining tbe manner of fligbt of a miuute species observed 

 about bis study lamp. He also exbibited a very miuute Cbalcid, an Eutedonid from 

 a collectiou made by Mr. H. H. Smitb on tbe island of St. Vincent, wbicb bore a label 

 stating tbat tbe species bad tbe power of emitting a marked odor wbicb was perceptible 

 at a distance of oue foot. Discussed by Messrs. Marlatt, Riley, Scbwarz, and Asbmead. 



Dr. Fox exbibited a specimen of tbe young of Epeira, of wbicb one palpus bad male 

 cbaracters aud tbe otber tbe cbaracters of tbe female. Discussed by Messrs. Marx 

 and Riley. 



Mr, Fernow made some additions to bis previous observations on Psilura monacha. 

 He said tbat tbe Government of Germany bad recently nppropriated $350,000 

 to figbt tbis motb, most of wbicb will be 8j)ent on tbe lime treatment. He 

 also called attention to a monograpb on tbe May Beetles of Europe (Melolontbas), 

 wbicb be said contained a good many facts on tbe babits aud means of treatment ot 

 tbese pests. He mentioned a fact given in tbis publication, viz., tbe migration of tbe 

 larva?, wbicb he believed to be a new observation. The only metbod of treating 

 tbese insects of any value is tbe collection of tbe last stages and of tbe adult. He 

 also mentioned tbe influence of defoliation on tbe multiplication of the locust in 

 connection with tbe recent invasion of tbese insects in the island of Cyprus, aud 

 similarly also on the multiplication of Melolontbas — such defoliation favoring the 

 development of these insects. Discussed by Messrs. Riley, Howard, Scbwarz, aud 

 Fernow. 



Dr. Fox presented a paper entitled "A collection of Spiders from Indiana," in which 

 he gave notes on the distribution of a number of tbe species recorded. He stated 

 tbat quite a number of the species had not before been found in that part of tbe 

 United States, but that be had not as yet had time to go over tbe material thor- 

 oughly. He proposed to prepare it for publication at some future date. 



Professor Riley presented some miscellaneous notes as follows: He called attention 

 to the injury done to roses in his yard and in tbe grounds of his neighbors by a small 

 beetle, Colasjns ii'istis. He stated that he had first noticed the injury from this insect 

 the present year, and that tbe roses had been very largely blighted by its attacks. 

 The nature of the damage consisted in boring or eating iuto the buds and partly ex- 

 panded flowers. He stated that this experience furnished another illustration of a 

 common insect suddenly assuming a new injurious habit. 



In connection with tbe remarks of Professor Fernow reported above, he gave; a brief 

 account of the work of tbe Commission in Massachusetts on the Gyi)sy Moth, Ocncria 

 dispar. He stated that tbe Commission now has 150 men at work, and that Mr. Sessions, 

 tbe Secretary of tbe State Board of Agriculture is very earnest and anxious to leave 

 nothing undone that will help in the extermination of this threatening pest. Professor 

 Riley also referred to the prejudice against the use of arsenicals, which has interfered 

 somewhat with the work of the Commission, aud which, at tbe request of Mr. Sessions, 

 he had done his best to remove by a statement of tbe facts regarding these insecticides, 

 sions, be showiug that their use, with ordinary care, is free from dangerous consequences 

 to live stock or man. He stated that he believed that most of tbe cases reported of 



4t)l 



