258 
unless to the excessive rains of the spring and early summer, which 
must have destroyed a large proportion of the insects that are habitu- 
ally upon or beneath the surface of the earth. 
The Rust-red Social Wasp an Enemy of the Web-worm. — While holding 
in my hands, for examination, a detached nest of Hyphantria eunea, in 
which the larva? were about two-thirds grown, one of the above-named 
wasps alighted upon it and, tearing away a portion of the web, seized 
one of the worms between its feet, and driving its sting into the tho- 
racic region, grasped the neck withits jaws and rose into the air, carrying 
its struggling victim with it. If I do not mistake, this wasp has not 
hitherto been included among the numerous species that prey upon the 
Web -worm. 
Anthrenus varius on Blossoms of Viburnum. — I was much surprised to 
find, last spring, while noting the insects that were attracted to the 
corymbs of Viburnum prunifolium, that the small Dermestid above 
named was present in very large numbers, apparently outnumbering 
all other species combined. I have occasionally found the beetles of 
this group upon flowers, especially upon Spireas, but do not remember 
ever to have seen this particular species so abundant out of doors. 
Scutig era forceps and Callimorpha. — The food of Scntigera forceps was 
the subject of some discussion among entomologists during the past 
year. As a contribution to the record of its habits, permit me to say 
that Ifoundan unusually large specimen one evening in July devouring 1 
a Callimorpha lecontei, under the full blaze of a bright hall lamp. Com- 
ing downstairs, my eye was attracted by the singular appearance on 
the top of the newel post. A white moth was fluttering violently in 
what seemed to be some sort of indistinguishable web or haze. Having 
a cyanide bottle at hand, it was quickly placed over the mystery, and 
after the fumes had quieted all action the capture proved to be a speci- 
men of the moth above mentioned, held fast in the jaws of the Myrio- 
pod, which had already eaten quite a hole in the side of the thorax. 
The mist-like observation had been produced by the incredibly swift 
motion of its numerous, long, slender legs while struggling with its 
prey. At another time I saw the same species feeding upon a speci- 
men of C. flilvicosta, accompanying the action with the same rapid 
movement of its legs. 
Trapping Codling-moth Larvce. — Late last spring some of the deluge- 
like rains, which visited this section of the country, were followed by 
hard winds and in consequence of the saturation of the soil fruit and 
shade trees in large numbers were blown over. In our little orchard 
several large apple trees were prostrated and a number of others were 
with difficulty kept in position by means of braces of wood and guying 
with wires and ropes. To prevent these from cutting into the bark 
large pieces of bran sacking and old cotton cloths were used as padding 
in the forks and against the trunks. As very little fruit had set no 
spraying was attempted and the few apples that developed were 
