VOL. 54, NO. 1, JANUARY 1978 
75 
Peninsula (200 miles northwest). The climate was generally cooler and more humid, 
though considerable fluctuation of conditions probably occurred during the time the site 
was active. The fossils are probably 20,000-40,000 years old, although dating is difficult. 
The fossil specimen agrees well with recent specimens of S. interruptus. This species is 
presently considered abundant in California from Humboldt County south to Monterey 
and eastward to the Sierra Nevada, with scattered rare records elsewhere (Gidaspow, 
1968, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. 140:135-192). Kavanaugh (1977, Pan-Pac. Ent. 53:27-31) and 
Ingram (1946, Bull. S. Cal. Acad. Sci. 45:34-36) have given information on the natural history 
of this species, which feeds on snails and slugs. The specimen was probably preserved 
by the asphalt during the Wisconsin Glacial Period, when the southward encroachment of 
the arctic climate displaced other North American climate zones southward of the 
equivalent modern zones. A similar southward movement of the species’ present range 
would account for its occurrence in the asphalt deposit. These conclusions are in agree¬ 
ment with previous reports and a preliminary analysis of the fossil insect fauna. A 
detailed analysis of the fossil insect fauna is in preparation. 
In addition to providing evidence of the climatic conditions that prevailed during the 
periods of preservation, the study of insects from asphalt deposits and other Pleistocene 
deposits can yield many other benefits. Identification of fossil insects often requires 
review and clarification of taxonomic problems of the related recent taxa. Not only does 
identification of the fossils necessitate thorough study of the morphology of the recent 
species, but the fossils themselves often prominently show morphological features 
which may be overlooked in the examination of recent specimens. Fossilized aquatic 
insects may provide data on the nature of bodies of water which may have occurred in the 
vicinity of the asphalt seeps. Also, the presence of insect species known to be associated 
with certain stages of decomposition indicates the time period between death and 
complete preservation of the vertebrates recovered from the same deposits. Additional 
finds indicate that several insect species previously thought to have been introduced into 
California are actually native. 
Some of the insects from the Carpinteria deposit were loaned to the late Dr. Edwin C. 
Van Dyke in 1930. This material was apparently never studied, and appears to have been 
lost. — SCOTT E. MILLER, Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara, 
California. 
The main speaker of the evening was Donald R. Dilley, Principle Staff Entomologist, for 
the California Department of Food and Agriculture. His illustrated talk entitled “California 
Pest Prevention Systems - Leading to the Eradication of the Gypsy Moth,” was enjoyed by 
all in attendance. 
Refreshments, including homemade cookies, were served in the Entomology Con¬ 
ference room following the meeting. — L.G. Bezark, Secretary. 
THREE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-FIRST MEETING 
The 381st meeting was held Friday, 21 October 1977 at 7:45 p.m. in the Morrison Audi¬ 
torium of the California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, with 
President Stecker presiding and 37 members and 28 guests present. 
The minutes of the meeting held 20 May 1977 were summarized. 
The following persons were elected to membership: regular members, Lowe B. Mak, 
R.A. Beebe; student members, D.G. Casdorph, M.L. Swoveland. 
The Society was informed of the passing of noted entomologists, Ira LaRivers, William 
Hovanitz, Chris Henny, and Aleandre Chneour. President Stecker suggested that letters 
expressing the Society’s feelings be sentto the appropriate family members. 
Under notes and exhibits, Dr. Edward Smith of California Academy of Sciences, 
reported on his progress relating to insect anatomy studies and presented photographic 
slides from a forthcoming publication. 
INSECTS IN FUNGI. — In collecting various fungi in northern California, a consistent 
pattern of insect fauna within many types of fungal fruiting bodies was observed. A pilot 
study was carried out and determined that platypezids, syrphids and mycetophilids may 
dominate one type of mushroom but may be scarce in another. Certain Coleoptera were 
