147 
thing very offensive and brought it into the room. My wife, however, said it was 
one of these flies, and soon found this specimen near the lamp, it having come in 
through the open window, as I suppose. Several different persons examined this 
fly while it was alive and can testify to its most remarkable and abominable smell. 
Fortunately, this insect is by no means numerous here, this being only the third 
specimen I have seen. * * *—[E. Scott Brown, Allen County, Ky., September 1, 
1891. 
Repty.—* * * The insect in question is one of the lace-winged flies, a species 
of Chrysopa. Some of these insects emit a very disagreeable odor, as you describe, 
especially when handled. The lace-winged flies are strictly beneficial insects, the 
larve, called Aphis lions, being especially voracious and feeding upon other soft- 
bodied insects, and particularly Aphides or plant lice. One peculiarity of the in- 
sect consists in the method of the parent in depositing its eggs. These are placed in 
groups on long pedestals and present a very peculiar appearance. The young larva, 
when hatched, climbs down the pedestal and wanders around in search of prey. 
When full-fed it spins a circular cocoon attached to a leaf or twig, and the adult 
insect ultimately escapes by cutting a circular lid in one side of the cocoon.—[Sep- 
tember 7, 1891. 
A Ground Squirrel Parasite. 
I send you by mail to-day three grubs taken from the body of a half-grown ground 
squirrel (Spermophilus 13-lineatus) killed July 7. They were in the skin between the 
posterior extremities. There were four, but one was lost. Are they a common para- 
site of this animal, and could they be used in any way to exterminate the squirrel? 
They are such a pest to the farmers, digging up many acres of corn before it 
sprouts.—[B. B. Gillett, Kansas, July 10, 1891. 
REpPLY.—The specimens which you send are very interesting and do not agree with 
the larve of the Emasculating Bot-fly which commonly infests squirrels and gophers 
in the East, and an account of which you will find upon page 214 of INsEcT LIFE, 
volumet. Your larve are entirely new to the national collection, and I trust that 
you will make an effort, if you have the opportunity, to breed the adult fly by allow- 
ing the larve to enter the earth in a covered box or jar. Perhaps, if you will send 
them to us alive in tightly packed earth, we may be able to take better care of 
them.—[July 17, 1891.] 
Poisonous Qualities of a Northern Centipede. 
I send for identification what appears to be a relative of the Centipedes. They 
are known here as ‘“‘ Earwigs.” They are not generally thought to be poisonous, 
but I am sure this is an error, as my experience with this one goes to prove. It 
made itself known at night by a very vigorous bite which immediately awoke me 
and continued painful for some time afterward, and from the swelling as well as 
pain attending the bite I am convinced that it can be classed as a poisonous insect.— 
[J. T. Park, Tennessee, October 5, 1891. 
ReEepLy.—The Centipede which you send is a species known as Scolopendra woodii. 
This is a more or less northern representative of the well-known poisonous Centipede 
of the West Indies and other warmer localities, and there is no doubt about the 
possession of poison fangs by all the members of the genus Scolopendra. The effect 
of the bite in a warm climate is very variable, being at some times excessively viru- 
lent and painful and at others causing little inconvenience. It is doubtful, how- 
ever, whether the bite of S. woodii could ever be dangerous, and as a matter of fact 
your personal experience of the bite of this species is the first with which I have 
ever met. It is therefore of considerable interest.—[October 9, 1891.] 
9676—No. 3——5 
