87 



produced the only authoritative monograph of the exceptionally diffi- 

 cult family Territelarise. 



DOES THE WHEAT-STEM MAGGOT, MEROMYZA AMERICANA, DISCRIM- 

 INATE BETWEEN DIFFERENT VARIETIES OF WHEAT ? 



In the literature of this species nothing seems to have been recorded 

 relative to its preference for certain varieties of wheats or indicating 

 that any such discrimination has been witnessed. 



During the five years that I have been located at the Purdue Experi- 

 ment Station the small experiment plats, comprising from 40 to 50 

 different varieties of wheats, have shown but little difference in the 

 extent of injury, which has in all cases been rather slight. 



In larger fields there seems to be a difference in the severity of the 

 attack of the spring brood of larvae, which has this year been extremely 

 well marked, especially between Velvet Chaff and Michigan Amber. 

 Two fields sown the same day in September, 1888, on the same kind of 

 soil, and in fact every perceivable element being equal except variety 

 of seed, one of which was Velvet Chaff and the other Michigan Amber, 

 suffered very differently ; the former, on the 14th of June, having fully 

 four infested straws to one in the latter. In a long, narrow plat, ex- 

 tending some distance between the two fields and being composed of 

 both of these varieties mixed in about equal proportions, the ratio of 

 injury to each was about the same as in the larger fields. The differ- 

 ence between the attack in the two varieties was sufficiently marked to 

 attract the attention of Prof. W. C. Latta, agriculturist of the sta- 

 tion, who is neither an entomologist nor familiar with the insect itself. 



It is with a view of learning if this partiality is general, and also if 

 it has been observed to extend to other varieties, that the question is 

 liere propounded and the observations given. — F. M. Webster. 



THE ASSOCIATION OF OFFICIAL, ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS. 



In pursuance of the call issued by Mr. James Fletcher, president of 

 the Entomological Club of the American Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science, a meeting of those interested in the formation of such 

 an association as that described in the title to this note was held Au- 

 gust 29 and 30, at Toronto, Canada. 



The following constitution was first adopted : 



This association shall be known as the Association of Official Economic Entomolo.- 

 gists. 



Its objects shall be: (1) To discuss new discoveries, to exchange experiences, and 

 to carefully consider the best methods of work; (2) to give opportunity to individ- 

 ual workers of announcing proposed investigations, so as to bring out suggestions 

 and prevent unnecessary duplication of work ; (3) to suggest, when possible, certain 

 .lines of investigation upon subjects of general interest; (4) to promote the study 

 and advance the science of entomology. 



The membership shall be confined to workers iu economic entomology. All econ- 

 omic entomologists employed by the general or State Governments or by the State 



