[161] Report of tee State Entomologist. 303 



beetle described. This is the second recorded instance of its feeding 

 on wax. In Europe wax is sometimes eaten by insects — possibly by 

 this species. 



Elm Leaf Beetle. (Country Gentleman, for May 10, 1888, liii, p. 366, 

 c. 3-4 — 13 cm.) 



Identification of Galeruca xanthomelcena from Scarsdale, N. Y., and 

 in answer to inquiries, reference is made to notices in the Country 

 Gentleman, giving full information of the insect, the principal of which 

 are these : October 12, 1882, p. §05 ; October 15, 1885, p. 841 ; May 27, 1886, 

 p. 409; May 26, July 21, and September 8, 1887, pp. 421, 565, and 695; 

 March 20, 1888, p. 249 — the last giving full spraying directions. 



Friends, not Foes. (Country Gentleman, for May 31, 1888, liii, p. 430, 

 c. 3 — 13 cm.) 



Small beetles sent from West Newton, Pa., as injurious in hot-beds to 

 flower-plants, etc., by destroying the fibrous roots and thereby killing 

 the plants, are of two species, neither of which can cause the injury of 

 which complaint is made. Tachus incurvus Say, is one of the preda- 

 ceous Carabiclce, and it is known to eat other insects. Homolota lividi- 

 pennis Mann., is one of the Staphylinidce, a family of useful insects 

 which serve as scavengers of decaying vegetable and animal matter. 



Maple-Leaf Mite-Gall. (Country Gentleman, for June 14, 1888, liii, p. 

 460, c. 4 — 14 cm.) 



Leaves of soft maple sent from Suffolk county, N. Y., are one-third 

 covered with wart-like elevations of about the size of the head of a com- 

 mon pin, which are caused by the leaf-mite, Phytoptus quadripes 

 (Shimer). The formation and appearance of the gall is described, and 

 burning the infested leaves or spraying with a tobacco solution the latter 

 part of June is recommended. 



A Grapevine Pest. (Orange County Farmer, for June 21, 1888, vii, 

 p. 5, c. 1 — 15 cm.) 



The galls of Lasioptera vitis O. S., identified on the leaves and tips of 

 a Muscadine vine, from Port Jervis, N. Y. Description of the gall, the 

 insect that produces it, the contained larva, its escape from the gall and 

 subsequent transformations. Eemoval and burning of the infested 

 leaves and tips the best preventive of future attack. 



Cockscomb Elm-Gall. (Country Gentleman, for June 28, 1888, liii, p. 

 49(5, c. 1 — 10 cm.) 



The galls sent on the "weeping slippery elm," from Charlottesville, 

 Va., are described and identified as those of Colopha idmicola (Fitch), and 

 reference for a more extended notice of them, made to the C.-G. for 

 September 23, 1886, p. 713. The gall, thus far, has only been recorded 

 on the white elm, Ulmus Americana, and the leaves sent seem to be of 

 that species. 



[See, also, Glyphinaidmicola, in Fortieth Rept. N. Y. St. Mus. N.H., 1887, 

 pp. 126-128.1 



