290 
Another interesting find was the Coccinellid known as Cryptolemus 
montrousice, the larve of which feed upon a species of Dactylopius in- 
festing Aurocaria. This insect was found everywhere, and always upon 
some Dactylopius. A large number of specimens were sent. 
A further letter dated January 25, and an accompanying sending, 
have also been received, and another lot of Coccinellids was sent over, 
consisting chiefly of the two species of Orcus, and numerous specimens 
of a small Scymnus preying upon the Red Scale. A number of the 
larvee and chrysalids of Thalpochares cocciphaga, the Lepidopterous in- 
sect which preys upon large scales like Lecaniwm and Monophlebus, 
were also sent. More specimens of the new species of Vedalia were 
found, and a most interesting Blastobasis, which is very destructive to 
a Chionaspis upon Orange, has also been discovered. Mr. Koebele 
writes that whole branches are spun over with a fine web interwoven 
with the remains of scale insects, and under this web hundreds of the 
Blastobasis larvee can be found upon each tree. Should it be possible 
to import this insect in good condition, it will undoubtedly prove of 
great value in orange orchards infested not only by Chionaspis citri but 
also by the species of Mytilaspis and Parlatoria. For some reason this 
last sending did not reach Los Angeles in good condition. Only a very 
few of the Coccinellids were alive and still fewer of the Thalpochares. 
The boxes containing the Blastobasis were sent direct to Washington, 
- and careful examination shows only two living larvee and a few pupe, 
which appear to be unhealthy, and from which we may not succeed in 
rearing the moths. Mr. Coquillett is taking every pains to thoroughly 
acclimatize the specimens sent to him at Los Angeles, and on the whole 
it seems probable that some good may be accomplished, particularly if 
he is able to acclimatize the two species of Orcus. 
A LEAF-MINER IN WHEAT. 
Early in November, in a small plat of wheat sown on the grounds of 
the Experiment Station, at Columbus, Ohio, on July 20, a single larva 
was observed mining in one of the larger leaves of one of the plants, 
near the upper extremity. The infested plant was transferred to the 
insectary, where the larva continued to feed, working its way down- 
ward near the edge of the leaf toward the base. November 16 it 
abandoned the plant and was placed in a small glass tube. The length 
of the larva at this time was about 10 mm., the color yellowish, with 
dorsal tranverse dark bands. After spinning a very thin white cocoon, 
through which its every movement could be clearly observed, it passed 
into the chrysalis stage on the 18th. The chrysalis was 4 mm. in length, 
and from it the imago emerged December 1. The adult proved to be 
Hlachista prematurella Clem., kindty determined for me by Miss Murt- 
feldt. 
In the Tineina of North America (edited by Stainton), p. 133, Dr. 
Clemens simply states that ‘the imago may be taken on the wing in 
