114 
ium, the rag weed Ambrosia artemisisefolia, and a variety of Hearts-ease 
(. Polygonum .) 
They are preyed upon by a parasite in the larva state, but I was 
unsuccessful—after repeated efforts—to rear it to the imago state and 
thus ascertain the species. From the hidden place in which it works, 
it is not as liable to be attacked by other insect enemies. Perhaps 
the best preventive is that of burning, or otherwise destroying the 
stems, while the worms are yet within, and thus lessen the supply 
the ensuing year. 
When occurring in a small field, as in flower gardens, they can be 
cut out of the stalk without injury to the plant; their presence is 
easily detected by the round hole near the ground, and the wilted 
appearance of the stalk. This is only advisable when they occur in 
limited numbers, because of the length of time required to go over 
the field. 
Spec. Char. Size and color of the nebris , from which it differs 
only by the complete absence of white spots, and in having 
the feelers a little longer and more ascending. Upper wings of a light 
ash-brown sprinkled with fine yellowish dots, the single angular line 
distinct, behind it the background becomes lighter, then towards the 
terminal margin it resumes its general tone. No spots. There are 
seen, especially when the insect is examined, when held to the 
light, two groups of scales, darker and more closely crowded together 
instead of the tw T o usual spots. 
Lower wings of a uniform livid gray with a cellular, crescent shaped 
spot on both sides. 
Var. a. Smallest, traces of a subterminal line composed of yellow¬ 
ish points, deeply shaded in front. 
Gortyna nebris , Guenee.—Length of the two sexes 38 millimetres. 
Upper wings entire of a light wooden brown, with a single distinct 
angular line of a yellowish white color more or less indistinct. The 
first three spots white as the preceding species, the intermediate often 
yellow. jj 
Kidney-shaped mark, composed of a larger central spot, generally yel¬ 
low, and with five or six other very small point-like spots surrounding 
it. Lower wings uniform light brown in both sexes. Thorax and abdo¬ 
men ash-gray. Abdomen long. Base of antense white. Male smaller; 
the whole terminal and subterminal space lighter. Lower wings 
jialer. 
Mr. Riley informs me that he has bred the Gortyna nebris, Gu.. from 
the weed Ambrosia trijida, and he feels confident that the two species 
nitila and nebris are identical. He comes to this conclusion after study¬ 
ing the two species, and possessing all the varieties between the typ¬ 
ical forms. 
THE OiVK LEAF TORTRIX— Argyrolepia guerdfoliana —Fitch. 
It isnot an uncommon sight to see the leaves of various kinds of 
trees and shrubs curled at the edges into little cylindrical rolls and 
fastened together by threads of silk; or the opening buds stayed in 
their development by the edges drawn together; even two and three 
[Note—P rof. Fernald has identified this as Zeller’s Tortrix trifurculana. C. Thomas.] 
