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Does the domestic fly pass through the winter in the adult state only? * * eae 
[W. L. Jones, Georgia, March 1, 1892. 
REeEPLY.— * * ~ The main facts in the life history of the Mosquito are as follows: 
The eggs are laid in boat-shaped masses upon the surface of usually more or less > 
stagnant water, and the larve, commonly known as ‘‘ wigglers,” are aquatic. Their 
development is rapid, and with one species at least it has been ascertained that the 
entire life-round from egg to adult is undergone in less than two weeks. There are, 
therefore, several annual generations. The insects hibernate as adults, and possibly 
in some one of the other stages. It must be remembered that in speaking of the 
Mosquito we are using a comprehensive term: which includes many distinct species, 
the natural history of which undoubtedly varies to some extent. The most impor- 
tant work to be done in the way of prevention consists in the draining of the swamps 
and stagnant ponds where possible, the treatment by kerosene of restricted bodies of 
stagnant water which can not be drained, and the introduction of fish into fishless 
ponds where these insects are breeding. These are methods which will tend to the 
reduction of the number of mosquitoes in many restricted localities, but there are 
many other localities in which these means are not practicable. In such cases we 
must attack the adult insects. The best thing to do in the house, after screening 
the windows thoroughly, is to burn pyrethrum powder and sweep up the stupefied 
insects as they fall to the floor. 
In answer to your question as to the hibernation of the domestic fly, I may state 
that it hibernates exceptionally in both the larva and pupa, but chiefly in the adult 
state.—[March 3, 1892. ] 
Is the Ground-beetle, Scarites subterraneus, herbivorous? 
Will you kindly inform me if the ground-beetle, Scarites subterraneus Fab., has 
ever been considered a vegetable-eater? I have always supposed it to be carnivorous 
in habit, and was greatly surprised to find a specimen deeply imbedded in a potato 
one day last fall. About 300 hills of potatoes were planted as an experiment on low, 
wet land, and while the crop was as large as expected, but few potatoes were ob- 
tained, owing to the ravages of wire worm. It may be that the Scarites was after 
one of the wire-worms.—[ Lewis E. Hood, Massachusetts, February 17, 1892. 
REPLY.— ~*~ ~*~ * Your experience with Scarites subterraneus is very interesting. - 
So far as I know, this species has never been recorded as having the vegetable-feed- 
ing habit. Several Carabids feed exceptionally upon vegetable material, and it 
would not be surprising if this species should occasionally be found to have this 
habit. I think, however, that your supposition that the specimen which you found 
was searching for wire-worms is more plausible than to suppose that it was making 
a meal of the potato.—[February 19, 1892. ] 
The so-called California ‘‘ Wine Bee. ” 
Will you kindly furnish me with anything you may have in the way of information 
in regard to a bee called the ‘“ California wine bee?”—[H. W. Bausch, Ohio, March 
10, 1892. 
REPLY.—You probably refer to a ferment which, when introduced into the proper 
liquid, produces a weak alcoholic liquor variously styled as ‘‘ wine,” ‘‘ beer,” etc. 
This same subject was brought to my attention a short time since, and the liquor was 
said to be due to the action of certain animals (?) called ‘‘ California bees,” and prob- 
ably your wine bee is the same thing. In the case just mentioned the liquor was 
made by taking cold water, sweetened with either brown sugar or molasses, and add- 
ing to it some of the ferment or ‘‘mother.” This latter assumes various globular 
shapes, and these bodies, during the action of the ferment, move about in the liquid 
and are the so-called bees. After about forty-eight hours the liquor becomes what is 
styled beer or wine, and can be drawn off and a new supply of sweetened water 
added.—[March 14, 1892.] 
