S54 
IOWA ACADEMY GF SCIENCE 
mens of this species from the following localities : Ames, Iowa 
City, Monticello, Centerville, Homestead, Dubuque, Waukon, 
Chariton, Des Moines, Indianola, Decorah, Kohinson and West 
Union. It has been taken on mullein and grape. The following 
field note will give some idea of its abundance: ‘‘7 July, 1914, 
This species (A. undata) very common along roadsides and on 
grape just south of the West Side at Ames, Iowa. Collected 
thirty specimens and as many more could easily have been se- 
cured * =2^.’’ 
Osborn says of the species Hymenarcys aequalis Say, ‘‘not 
common^’. More than fifty specimens are in our collection from 
the following localities : Iowa City, Bayfield, Monticello, Hamp- 
ton, Indianola and Corydon. We have found the species in prac- 
tically every month of the year. 
The pretty green species Thyan'ta custator Fahr., is indicated 
as ^‘not common” in Iowa and Osborn suggests that it has about 
reached its eastern limit for this latitude. However, we have 
found it in practically every one of the thirty-four counties 
visited in the state during the past summer. A considerable 
number of host plants are mentioned in our field notes. . 
Still other records might be cited but it will be been from the 
above instances that conditions within the state have changed 
during the past fifteen years and it is not surprising that the 
work of more than a decade ago has become somewhat antiquated. 
It is due largely to this state of affairs that the field offers good 
opportunity for investigation. 
The difficulties encountered in a problem of this kind, as may 
be expected, are numerous and oftentimes perplexing and com- 
plicated. Such matters as what system of nomenclature to em- 
ploy, questions of synonymy, thorough collecting in certain lo- 
calities, the ever-present question of what constitutes a species 
and many other and sometimes unforeseen hindrances confront 
one continually. It seems to the writer that if one can contrib- 
ute one’s small portion by assisting another who may, at some 
time, be working on a similar problem something will have been 
accomplished. If at least some of the way shall have been made 
a little easier for other workers in the field the effort will not 
have been in vain. 
State University op Iowa. 
