118 
The moths of the family Trotricidas vary in their primary wing- 
markings, and although the insect under consideration is evidently 
Fitch’s Argyrolepia guercifoliana , there is another moth bred by Mr.. 
Riley on the oak, Tortrix paludana , Robinson, which has much the 
same coloring, but differs in distribution and habits, since the latter 
lives singly, but more often gregariously in a common web ; this moth 
is found quite common throughout the Mississippi valley. 
The effect ol the depredation upon the oak forests by the larva of 
this moth has been to destroy many miles of trees. After the worms 
left, the trees made an effort to recuperate and send forth new leaves, 
but in many cases the strength was insufficient and they failed and 
died, while those that succeeded in paitly resuscitating their foliage 
are not in the proper condition to pass the winter months, and the 
probable result will be the destruction of many now supposed to 
have partially recovered. 
Dr. Boardman says in a letter of September 24th: “In regard to 
the number of oak trees killed in the infested forest, I might say one- 
tenth of the mature growth and one-thirtieth of the } T ounger growth: 
the black oak, Q. tinctoria , suffering most, probably one-fourth of that 
variety destroyed, while the white oak, Q.alba , and burr oak, Q.macro- 
carpa, have in a measure partially recovered, but have made but little 
growth, and the dry weather now prevailing has caused many partly 
resuscitated to die.” 
From a communication from De Kalb count} 7 , I find the red 
oak, Q. rubra , has suffered most, probably about one-twentieth having 
died, the forest presenting in October a diseased and sickly ap¬ 
pearance. 
Natural Enemies .—In much the same proportion that the different 
insects increase do we finrl their natural enemies rise up to seek and 
destroy them. During the ravages of the moth in question various kinds 
of insects were seen feeding upon them. It is generally known that 
the habits of insects vary much, and even the same insect in its 
various stages of larva, pupa and imago differs greatly. While there 
are different kinds of insects which subsist upon vegetable matter and 
are considered injurious to vegetation, there are others which through 
their various stages subsist upon these insects and serve to keep them 
in check, thus rendering a valuable assistance to mankind. It is 
thus necessary to have some knowledge of entomology if we would 
learn to distinguish between our insect friends and foes. The larger 
insects are not alwa} 7 s the destructive ones, and every effort should be 
exerted when seeking a remedy against injurious insects to protect 
those which are beneficial. 
Said a florist to me, when giving a remedy for the destruction of 
plant lice upon his winter flowers: “I’m not afraid of those small 
lice, but these larger ones,” and he seized a Lady-bird from its very 
act of eating the lice and destroyed it. 
Upon the trees of the various kinds of infected oaks could be seen 
our large and beautiful Rumaging Beetle, Calosoma scrutator , Fabr. 
(Figure 26 represents a closely allied species— C. Calidum.') This 
beetle preys upon various kinds of insects and is especially use¬ 
ful since the larva is as rapacious as the full-grown beetle, and being 
of a large size they are capable of consuming man}?- caterpillars. 
