IOWA ACADEMY OP SCIENCES. 
211 
Adult Fig. 10. (a, dorsal view; b, side view; c, tarsus.) 
Widest at base of elytra and tapers strongly toward either end; 
shining black, glabrous; numerous medium sized punctures 
on the thorax and between the striae of the elytra. Snout 
about 1-24 inch long, curved, usually extending directly 
downward, but sometimes drawn backward or slightly pro- 
jected forward. Thorax narrows perceptibly toward the head. 
Tarsi strongly pubescent beneath, claws strongly curved, 
diverging. Elytra emarginate at tip, making the tip of 
abdomen more distinctly visible from above. 
REMEDIES. 
Collecting and burning the old root- stocks and stems in early 
autumn will be the most effective treatment that can be sug- 
gested from present knowledge of the species. 
AN INSECT OCCURRING IN WATER TANKS AND RESERVOIRS. 
{Ghironomus sp ) 
Early in July I received some specimens of a slender red 
larva from Boone, with the following letter: 
Professor Osborn: 
Dear Sir— Enclosed I send a sample of the worm that appeared in our 
city water about a week ago in countless numbers. Would like to know 
what they are and where they would be likely to come from. The water we 
use comes from a 3,000-foot well, but about two weeks ago our pumps failed 
and we were supplied with water from a forty-five foot vein owned by the 
C. N. W. Ry. Co., and pumped to our reservoir through a hose. 
Yours truly, ’ E. E. Chandler, 
Chairman Water Committee. 
Boone, Iowa. 
The larv^ were evidently Ghironomus, and in replying to the 
letter it was so stated and that in themselves they could be 
considered harmless, though of course the presence of masses 
of such ugly looking creatures would be objectionable, and if 
dying in the water they might become a source of pollution 
Also that the larvae must have gained access to the water from 
the eggs of the adult mosquito-like insect being deposited in 
the reservoir or the mains by which it was filled. They could 
not be derived from a deep well. It was suggested that pro- 
vision be made to exclude the insects from the water to prevent 
deposition of eggs. 
The larvae (Fig. 12) a and b , which are an inch or a little 
more in length and of a light red color with green reflections 
on the sides near the head, construct a tube at the bottom of 
