44 
Psyche 
[February 
Puliciphora glacialis Malloch 
Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Washington, vol. 43, p. 507, figs. (1912). 
Concerning the habits of this species there is appended to 
the original description of the minute wingless female, the re- 
markable note: “ ‘Active on the ice’, Jan., 1874, Tyngsboro, 
Massachusetts (F. Blanchard)”. As the genus Puliciphora and 
its relatives are typically tropical insects which extend only 
sparingly into temperate regions, I have been expectantly waiting 
for further information relating to this species. In the lot of 
Phoridse containing the Apocephalus described above there is a 
single additional female specimen of Puliciphora glacialis found 
by Mr. C. A. Frost at Framingham, Mass, on March 23, 1907 
while sifting for beetles. Reference to the Monthly Weather 
Review for March 1907, shows that there was an unprecedented 
warm period in the eastern states from March 21st to 23rd and 
that a maximum temperature of 76° was recorded at Framing- 
ham. Such temporary warm spells during the winter are, of 
course, the occasion for the appearance of most “winter” or 
“snow” insects, such as Boreus, Chionea, etc. So far as Chionea 
is concerned, its closest relatives seem to be inhabitants of cold 
climates (Pterochionea Alexander, of the nearctic region), and 
the same appears to hold true for most typical snow-insects. 
The present species of Puliciphora is more darkly colored 
and the abdominal plates are much more heavily chitinized than 
is usual in the genus. Structurally, however, it seems to be 
quite typical, even to the presence of the slit-like gland opening 
on the fifth abdominal segment. 
This habit is not unprecedented in the family for there are 
quite a number of species known, especially among those that 
frequent carrion which are often taken during the colder spring 
and fall months. Thus, Trupheoneura and Parastenophora 
include a number of autumnal forms some of which probably 
hibernate as adults. 
