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Vol. XXV January, 1949 No. 1

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

CONTENTS

MICHELBACHER, THE ECOLOGY OF THE SYMPHYLA 1

ESSIG, APHIDS IN RELATION TO QUICK DECLINE AND

TRISTEZIA OF CITRUS 13

RINDGE, OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF

CHLOROSEA BANKSARIA SPERRY 24

TILDEN, NOTES ON PARASITES OF CERTAIN MICROLEPIDOPTERA 27

FENDER. STUDIES IN THE CANTHARIDAE III 29

FENDER, APHODIUS RECTUS MOTS IN OREGON 32

LANHAM, NOTES ON THE GROUP OF ANDRENA CARLINI COCKERELL

WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES FROM CALIFORNIA 33

HAGEN, TWO NEW ICHNEUMONID HOST RECORDS 35

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, PROCEEDINGS 36

San Francisco, California

1949

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. C. Van Dyke E. G. Lins^ey, R. L. Usincer E. S. Ross

Associate Editor Editors Assistant Editor

R. C. Miller, Treasurer A. E. Michelbacher, Advertising

Published quarterly In January, April, July, and October with Society Proceed-

ings appearing in the January number. Papers on the systematic and biological

phases of entomology are favored, including articles up to ten printed pages on

'insect taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be ad-

dressed to the editors, 112 Agricultural Hall, University of California, Berkeley 4,

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.San Francisco 18, California

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copies, 75 cen^s. Make checks payable to “Pan-Pacific Entomologist.”

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

FOURTH SERIES

VOLUME XXIV

Contributions Toward a Knowledge of the Insect Fauna of Lower California

1. Introductory Account, by A. E. Michelbacher and E. S. Ross. Pp. 1-20, pis. 1-3.

February, 1942 ..... S0.2S

“ “ ' “ .75

.35

.20

.15

.20

Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, by E. Gorton Linsley. Pp. 21-96, pis. 4-5. Feb., 1942...-

Coleoptera: Buprestidac, by Edwin C. Van Dyke. Pp. 97-132, pis. 6-7. Mar., 1942

Neuroptera: Myrmeleonidae, by Nathan Banks. Pp. 133-152, pi. 8. March, 1942

Symphyla, by A. E. Micbelbacber. Pp. 153-160, pi. 9. March, 1942

Diptera; Culicidae, by Thomas H. G. Aitken. Pp. 161-170. June, 1942..

2 .

6 .

7. Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae, by Frank E. Blaisdell, Sr. Pp. 171-288, pis. 10, 11 1.50

Order from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO 18, CALIFORNIA

An illustrated magazine

of natural sciences

published by the

CALIFORNIA

ACADEMY OF

SCIENCES

San Francisco 18 ,

California

AGRICULTURAL CHEMICALS

INSECTICIDES

FUNGICIDES

WEED KILLERS

SOIL & SPACE

FUMIGANTS

Entered as second class matter, February 10, 1925, at the postoflace at San

Francisco, California, under Act of August 24, 1912.

Xhe Pan-Pacific Entomologist

VoL XXV, No. 1 January, 1949

THE ECOLOGY OF SYMPHYLA*

BY A. E. MICHELBACHER

University of California, Berkeley

Introduction

The class Symphyla has held the interest of naturalists since

about the middle of the eighteenth century. Most of the early

studies were concerned with taxonomy, anatomy and phylogenetic

relationships of the group. While these subjects still attract at-

tention, important papers dealing with the economic and eco-

logical aspects have appeared. However, the class is a small one

and, generally speaking, its study has been neglected. Greatest

interest in the group has been stimulated by the fact that many

investigators believe Symphyla to be a type similar to that from

which the insects have arisen. Comparative studies have shown

that symphylans have many characters in common with the

lower insects.

The ecology of the group is poorly known, and is difficult to

study because of its soil-inhabiting nature, small size, and the fact

the individuals are fragile and easily injured. The subject is one

that challenges the imagination and because the field has been

only lightly touched, it offers a fertile subject for investigation.

In this discussion the present knowledge concerning the general

ecological aspects of the group is considered. If emphasis of the

large number of gaps in our knowledge of the group should

stimulate further ecological studies, its purpose will have been

served.

Description and Life History

Symphylans are small, white, soft-bodied, centipede-like or-

ganisms, with 12 pairs of legs, although in some the first pair is

reduced to wart-like structures. They are regarded as having 15

body segments, and the genital opening is just anterior to the

fourth pair of legs. They have prominent antennae and at the

♦Presidential address read before the Pacific Coast Entomological Society, Decem-

ber 18, 1948.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

posterior end of the body there is a pair of funetional spinnerets.

Depending upon the speeies, they measure from about 2 to 9 mm

in length.

Symphylans reproduee from eggs and the newly hatehed indi-

vidual has 6 pairs of legs although Tiegs (1945) reported Han-

seniella agilis Tiegs as having 7 pairs. Molting oeeurs from time

to time and an additional pair of legs is added with eaeh subse-

quent molt until the full eomplement of legs is obtained. During

this developmental period, body segments, seuta and antennal

segments are added. At least with Scutigerella immaculata (New-

port) molting eontinues at intervals during the entire life of the

organism, and a single individual has been known to east its skin

as many as 52 times. To a eertain point, at least, the individuals

inerease in size with eaeh molt, and segments are added to the

antennae. Members of the group are long lived and, in the labora-

tory, reared specimens have survived for more than four years.

Reproduction is most active during the spring and summer. The

population starts to increase in the early spring and under favor-

able conditions continues upward through the summer. As repro-

duction ceases, the population starts to decline, and usually

reaches its lowest ebb in the late winter or just before reproduc-

tion gets well under way in the spring.

Distribution

Symphylans are widely distributed in nature. They are found

under many climatic conditions, and are likely to be encountered

everywhere except in the arctic regions. However, they appear

to be most abundant in the warmer temperate and tropical re-

gions. Some species are adapted to desert areas, others to humid

regions. They occur in cultivated as well as uncultivated soils.

Some prefer grassland, others forested or shrub-covered terrain.

They are likely to be encountered from below sea level to at least

an elevation of about 10,000 feet. At Point Reyes, Symphylella

essigi Michelbacher has been collected in fair abundance at about

high tide level. Actually there are species which occur in local-

ities well below sea level, for Scutigerella palmonii Michelbacher

was described from specimens collected in Palestine on the bank

of the River Jordan near its emergence from the Sea of Galilee,

which is more than 600 feet below sea level. Scutigerella im-

maculata (Newport) and Symphylella suhterranea Michelbacher

both occur sympatricly in the delta region of the Sacramento

JANUARY, 1949]

MICHELBACHER-SYMPHYLA

River which ranges from less than 10 feet above to 15 feet below

sea level. Symphylans are also found well distributed in the high

mountains of California, and in Europe both Verhoeff (1933)

and Friedel (1928) have reported collecting Scutigerella immacu-

lata (Newport) at an elevation of 3000 meters.

Some species are found most abundantly in the surface soil,

some appear to prefer the decaying forest litter and the soil j ust

beneath it; still others are adapted to a wide range of movement

in the soil, and some appear to prefer the subsoil. They are

found in all soil types, which range from sands to clays and peats.

Symphylans apparently are unable to construct their own run-

ways in the soil, therefore soil texture and structure greatly in-

fluence their distribution and abundance in localized areas. In

general, they are to be found in greatest numbers where the soil

structure is open. F or this reason, uncultivated or undisturbed soils

offer a more favorable environment for the development of most

species than that encountered where cultivation is practiced. This

is particularly true of those species which prefer the surface soil

and it is possible that cultivation will so modify the environment

of those species that inhabit the decaying forest litter and the

soil just beneath it to a point where the species will no longer

be able to survive.

Cultivation destroys the countless number of runways made by

natural agencies such as decaying roots, and small soil-inhabit-

ing organisms. Further, it alters the natural porousness and open-

ness of the soil structure by producing changes in the crumb

structure.

The changes produced by cultivation also probably exert an

influence on those species of symphylans that range through the

entire soil horizon and into the subsoil. However, most of these

species are well adapted to living under conditions of soil culti-

vation and are often found present in cultivated fields in large

numbers.

The symphylan that has received the most attention is Scuti-

gerella immaculata (Newport). This species ranges from just

under the surface of the soil to a depth of 414 feet. It is well

adapted to living in the subsoil, and in cultivated fields this zone

furnishes a most favorable retreat. A large portion of its life is

spent here, as is attested by the tremendous number of molted

skins found in the runways. This species also ranges freely

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

through the cultivated zone, and its movements are little hampered

unless this soil horizon is thoroughly packed. It will move into

the cultivated soil and destroy germinating seeds. However, if

at planting time a tractor wheel passes over a row and thoroughly

firms the soil, the germinating seed frequently escapes injury,

due to the fact that the movement of the organism is greatly inter-

fered with.

Symphylella suhterranea Michelbacher is another species that

is little affected by cultivation. Only rarely has it been taken in

the first six inches of soil. It prefers the deeper soil and is likely

to be found in most abundance below the 12 inch level, and there-

fore lives in a region seldom interfered with by cultivation.

Populations

The determination of symphylan populations is very difl&cult.

Because they are so fragile and easily injured, it is difl&cult to

recover them when a Berlese funnel is used. Because of this, a

water flotation method of separation was developed (Michel-

bacher 1938). With this method it was determined that about

70 per cent of the individuals in a sandy silt soil could be

recovered. On two occasions the efficiency of the above two

means of separation were compared. In each survey 12 soil

samples were run by each of the methods. In the first experi-

ment a total of 157 symphylans were recovered by the water

flotation method as compared to 17 for the Berlese funnel, and

in the second, the ratio was 214 to 54. These tests definitely

showed that the water flotation method was superior to the Ber-

lese funnel. However, where a separation is desired from a sample

containing considerable decaying forest litter or similar material,

it is very possible that a Berlese funnel would give a more satis-

factory separation because the debris contained in such samples

would certainly interfere with the efl&ciency of the water flotation

method.

Numerous population studies using the water flotation method

have been conducted in the delta region of the Sacramento River

and in greenhouses. In a field devoted to the production of field

and truck crops the population of Scutigerella immaculata (New-

port) was calculated to be 22,700,000 and that of Symphylella

suhterranea Michelbacher 2,705,000 per acre. In an adjacent field

where the seasonal population trends were being followed, the

JANUARY, 1949] MICHELBACHER-SYMPHYLA

peak population of Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) eneoun-

tered was 8,000,000 while that for Symphylella subterranea Mich-

elbaeher was 4,915,000. These last populations were determined

from samples taken on July 16.

Large populations of Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) are

frequently found in greenhouses. In one where snapdragons were

being seriously injured by this symphylan the population on an

aere basis was found to be 90,300,000. All the above populations

were ealeulated from the aetual number of symphylans obtained

from the samples, and no faetor was applied for the probable

number of individuals not reeovered. Similar substantiating

studies were eondueted by the author where large populations of

Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) were found to oeeur.

The populations reported above are larger than those en-

eountered by most investigators who have eonsidered symphylan

populations. However, large populations were reported by Van

Zwaluwenburg (1931) who earried out investigations in the

Hawaiian Islands. The speeies involved were Symphylella neo-

tropica (Hansen) and S. simplex (Hansen). These symphylans

averaged about 90 per surfaee square foot in a growing eane field

as against 150 in a fallow series. This on an acre basis is equiv-

alent to 3,920,400 and 6,543,000 respectively.

Although found in lesser numbers, Symphylans have figured

in many investigations that have involved population studies of

the invertebrate soil fauna. Among those reporting their presence

are Morris (1922, 1927), Thompson (1924), Edwards (1929),

Sawa (1930), Starling (1944) and Pearse (1946). The investi-

gations were conducted under several environments which in-

cluded pasture, grass, arable and forested land. Thompson (1924)

in his investigations found that Symphyla constituted 86 per cent

of the total Myriapoda population. Edwards (1929) also found

them to be much more abundant than all the other myriapods

combined. Other workers have found them to be less abundant

than some of the other myriapods. Among these Starling (1944)

reported Symphyla as constituting 9.2 per cent of the population,

while Pearse (1946) reported them as composing 32.9 per cent

of the myriapod population.

Based on population studies and observations it appears that

symphylans are not rare as stated by Ross (1948) but are prob-

ably the most abundant of all the myriapods as far as the number

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

of individuals are concerned. Certainly they are found in large

numbers wherever favorable environments are encountered.

Although individuals are found in abundance, the number of

known species of Symphyla is not over 100. This paucity of

species is due, at least in part, to the fact that the group has been

badly neglected. In conducting surveys, undescribed material is

frequently encountered, and it is but a matter of time before the

number of named species will be greatly increased.

Some species have a rather wide geographical distribution.

Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) probably has the widest

known distribution, although some records that pertain to it ap-

ply to closely related forms. In my own experience this was true

of certain specimens identified as Scutigerella immaculata (New-

port) from various points in Europe which have proved to be

new species.

Some species are widely distributed in California. Among

these are Scutigerella immaculata (Newport), Hanseniella van-

dykei Michelbacher, Symphylella essigi Michelbacher, and Geo-

philella americana (Hilton) , but present knowledge indicates that

the distribution of many species is extremely limited. A number

described from California are known only from the type locality.

These include Scutigerella linsleyi Michelbacher, Symphylellopsis

alba Michelbacher, S. oviceps Michelbacher and S. longiseta

Michelbacher.

Some genera apparently have a wide geographical distribu-

tion, without being represented by many species. For example,

Geophilella as known at present is represented by but two species.

One of these was described from Europe and the other from Cali-

fornia. Although widely separated the two species are extremely

closely related, which would indicate that the genus is probably

conservative. The same appears to be true of Symphylellopsis

which contains but four species, three from Europe and the other

from California. Here again the species are all very closely related,

and show no marked divergence.

Food

The food habits of symphyla as a group are poorly known.

On the whole they feed on a vegetable diet although some species,

at least, will feed on animal matter. The subject is certainly in

need of thorough investigation and a complete knowledge of the

exact type of food preferred by the several groups of Symphyla

must await these studies.

JANUARY, 1949] MICHELBACHER-SYMPHYLA

Food habits are best known in the ease of Scutigerella im-

maculata (Newport) . Newport (1845) and Latzel (1884) believed

they fed upon the smaller soil-inhabiting arthropods. Williams

(1907) thought that Protozoa which swarm over the decaying

materials of a forest floor probably made up the major portion

of their food. Later investigations have established that they are

primarily vegetable feeders. They feed upon the roots of many

of the higher plants, and even the foliage of some, if it is avail-

able. Michelbacher (1938) successfully reared them on the leaves

of lettuce. There can be but little doubt that under moist condi-

tions, and where the leaves of such plants as lettuce are in contact

with the soil, Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) will come to

the surface to feed. In such an environment they can sometimes

be found just beneath the soil surface, or even beneath a leaf. Al-

though Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) probably prefers suc-

culent vegetation, they do feed on lower forms of plant life. Mich-

elbacher (1938) noted that they fed heavily on compressed yeast,

and believed that they fed on the unicellular green algae as well

as fungi which grew on the substratum of the rearing dishes. He

also noted that Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) ate any indi-

viduals that died and observed them feeding on injured speci-

mens. The apparent ability of Scutigerella immaculata (Newport)

to feed on the soil microflora probably accounts for their living

in the absence of apparent food as has been observed by a number

of investigators, including Wymore (1924) Friedel (1928) and

Almeida (1930).

Higher plants certainly influence the distribution of Scuti-

gerella immaculata (Newport) in the soil. They are attracted to

growing vegetation, and population studies and other observa-

tions have shown them to be most abundant about growing plants.

They will come up to just beneath the surface of the soil to feed

on germinating seeds and young seedlings or recently transplanted

plants, and occasionally, as already noted, they come to the soil

surface to feed on leaves in contact with the soil. About growing

plants they are found most abundantly within, the top six inches

of soil, while away from them they are found in greatest numbers

in the deeper soil or subsoil.

Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) has feeding and non-feed-

ing phases. These are associated with the molt and the non-feed-

ing phase occurs during the critical premolting and molting per-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

iod. Most food is consumed during the early period of each feed-

ing phase.

Other Syniphyla also feed on higher plants. Rand (1926)

reported Hansenieila unquiculata (Hansen) as being injuri-

ous to sugar cane, and Takashima (1938) has also reported

Hansenieila sp. as attacking this crop. However, there appears

to be many symphylans that do not feed on living higher

plants, and various investigators have believed their food to be

decaying organic matter or humus. Although this may be the

case, it seems more probable that they actually feed on the micro-

flora and the saprophytic growth that arises from the humus

and other organic material.

It has been shown that living higher plants exert no noticeable

effect on certain speeies. This was clearly indicated in population

studies that involved Symphylella subterranea Michelbacher (Mi-

chelbacher 1939) . Samples of soil were taken along rows of grow-

ing plants and a similar set in the eenter of the space between

rows. In the samples taken in the rows, 273 individuals were re-

covered as compared to 274 for the interspaces. Further, there

was no evidence that the plants were attracting individuals to the

surface layer of soil. From the above observations it appears cer-

tain that the principal food of this species must be something

other than higher plants. In another laboratory conducted experi-

ment it was found that Symphylella essigi Michelbacher did not

appear to feed on lettuce, but fed heavily on compressed yeast.

Moisture

Moisture is one of the most important environmental factors

affecting symphylans. They have relatively soft bodies, and are

unable to withstand dessication. They apparently do best in moist

soils, where the humidity is close to 100 per cent. Their distri-

bution in the soil is largely influenced by the moisture content of

the soil. Members of the elass are most easily found when the sur-

face soil is moist. Searching for them usually becomes more dif-

ficult as the soil dries out, and becomes discouraging when it has

dried to a point where it is hard to work. Unless the soil can be

easily handled and broken up for examination, the presence of

symphylans is hard to detect. Due to their small size and fragile

bodies, they are easily crushed or killed and difficult to find es-

pecially when searching for them under adverse conditions.

Of the symphylans studied, the moisture relationships of Scuti-

JANUARY, 1949] MICHELBACHER-SYMPHYLA

gerella immaculata (Newport) are best known. To a large extent

this species moves up and down with the soil moisture, although

some individuals are always likely to be encountered in the sub-

soil. They are, however, likely to be most abundant in the soil

level which has a moisture content most favorable for the growth

of plants. They will move into drier soil and have been encoun-

tered in such situations feeding on fleshy roots. They probably

visit these locations just long enough to feed, after which they re-

treat to the deeper soil where moisture conditions are more ideal.

The ability of Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) to live over a

wide range in soil depths enables it to meet easily, changes in the

soil moisture content. From its base in the deep subsoil Scutiger-

ella immaculata (Newport) can move with ease to any horizon nec-

essary to meet its need. An interesting vertical distribution of Scu-

tigerella immaculata (Newport) was encountered in a field in late

spring where a recent rain had wet the surface soil to a depth of

four or five inches. The soil below this was dry for a depth of

about 12 to 18 inches, beyond which it was moist. Symphylans

were found in abundance in the surface and deeper moist soil,

but none were encountered in the dry layer between.

Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) as well as other symphy-

lans is not easily wet with water. Water is repelled and if trapped

in the soil, they are enclosed in a tiny air bubble which affords

them considerable protection from flooding. In these small air

pockets the symphylans remain dry and can withstand submer-

gence for a day or two to several weeks or longer. The length of

time that they can survive depends largely upon the depth of water

and temperature. In general, the period of survival decreases as

the temperature rises. At low temperatures the survival period

decreases as the depth of water is increased.

One point of interest is that if an air pocket containing a sym-

phylan comes to the surface of the water it can be broken leaving

the creature in a perfectly dry condition.

When land is flooded, Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) will,

if possible, move up through the soil ahead of the rising water

table, but will stop and be trapped by the rising water just under

the surface of the soil. Where the soil is uneven they may congre-

gate in large numbers just under the soil surface on the high

spots. If these high spots are disturbed just before or after being

flooded, symphylans will come floating to the surface of the water

by the thousands. From limited observations it appears that most

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

species of symphyla are unable to move up ahead of a rising

water table with the same ease as does Scutigerella immaculata

(Newport). This is certainly true of Symphylella suhterranea

Michelbacher and is probably the case within all the genera where

the individuals are not capable of rapid movement.

It is doubtful whether all symphylans are capable of moving

as deep into the soil as does Scutigerella immaculata (Newport).

If they are greatly restricted in their movement, the question

arises as to how they survive when the soil dries out. This can

not be answered at present but to speculate, it is possible that some

may encyst as do certain of the millipedes. Certain habits and ac-

tions of Hanseniella vandykei Michelbacher lead to the belief that

this might be the case.

Reaction to Light

Symphylans are eyeless and although negatively phototropic

they tolerate light of low intensity. In laboratory breeding cul-

tures of Scutigerella immaculata (Newport), which were stored

on a shelf where the light intensity was low, individuals would

come to the surface of the soil section and lie there perfectly mo-

tionless. They also did not hesitate to come to the soil surface

to feed on lettuce placed there for food. However, they do try to

avoid light of high intensity. This response is probably one of

the main reasons that accounts for their stopping just beneath the

surface of the soil when a field is flooded. Apparently they would

rather face submergence than light of high intensity.

In the absence of eyes, symphylans apparently rely upon the

sensory organs of their antennae to guide them through the soil.

The function of the spinnerets is not known. Some investi-

gators, including Williams (1907b), Riley (1929), and Filinger

(1931) believed that Scutigerella immaculata (Newport) lined

their runways with silken threads,, but this hardly appears to be

the case. It is possible that some of the workers mistook fungus

mycelia for silken threads.

Temperature

Symphylans are markedly affected by temperature. It influences

their development and every phase of activity. Because of the

insulating effect of their soil habitat they can tolerate a wide

range in air temperature.

JANUARY, 1949] MICHELBACHER-SYMPHYLA

Investigations which have been conducted indicate that for

normal activity the optimum temperature of their environment is

beta ween 12 and 20° C.

Conclusion

Only a brief review has been presented concerning the ecology

of symphyla. The picture is still very incomplete and there are

many gaps to be filled. Although there are many obstacles to be

overcome in attacking the problem, it appears that these are not

insumountable. Advances in rearing technique should go far in

paving the way for additional studies. Because the field has been

so poorly investigated, it offers a fertile opportunity for further

study. Initiative and a well planned program should reap a rich

reward.

References

Almeida, E. S. de

1930. Nota sobre a Scutigerella immaculata Newp., Miriapode

depredador das culturas horticulas. Arq. Secc. Biol. Parasitol.

Mus. Zool. Univ. Coimbra 1 (Fas. 2) :93-103.

Edwards, E. E.

1929. A survey of the insect and other invertebrate fauna of

permanent pasture and arable land of certain soil types at

Aberystwyth. Ann. Appl. Biol. 16:299-323.

Filinger, G. a.

1931. The garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata Newport.

Ohio Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 486:1-33.

Friedel, H.

1928. Okologische und Physiologische Untersuchungen an Scuti-

gerela immaculata (Newp.) Ztschr. wiss. Biol. Abt. A (Mor-

phologie u.Okologie der Tiere). 10(4) :738-97.

Latzel, R.

1884. Die Myriapoden der osterreichischungarischen Monarchie.

Band 2. XII -f 414 p.

Michelbacher, a. E.

1938. The biology of the garden centipede, Scutigerella immacu-

lata. Hilgardia Jour. Agr. Sci., Calif. Agr. Exp. Sta. 11(3):

55-148.

1939. Seasonal variation in the distribution of two species of

Symphyla found in California. Jour. Econ. Ent. 32(1) :53-57.

Morris, H. M.

1922. The insect and other invertebrate fauna of arable land

at Rothamsted. Ann. Appl. Biol. 9:282-305.

1927. The insect and other invertebrate fauna of arable land

at Rithamsted. Part II. Ann. Appl. Appl. Biol. 14:442-64.

Newport, G.

Monograph of the class Myriopoda, order Chilopoda. Linn. Soc.

London, Trans. 19:265-302, 349-439.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

Pearse, a. S.

1946. Observations of the microfauna of the Duke Forest. Ecol.

Monogr. 16:127-150.

Rands, R. D.

1926. Root diseases of sugar cane in Louisiana, U. S. Dept.

Agr. Department Gir. 366:1-19.

RiLEt/, H. K.

The greenhouse centipede. Indiana Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 331:1-14.

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1948. A textbook of entomology. 532 p. 434 illus. John Wiley

and Sons, Inc., New York City.

Sawa, R.

1930. A preliminary sutvey of the arthropodan fauna of the

University Farm of Komaba. Jour. Col. Agr., Imp. Univ. Tokyo.

10(5) :329-45.

Starling, J. H.

1944. Ecological studies of the Pauropoda of the Duke Forest.

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Takashima, H.

1938. Notes on a Formosan Symphyla Hanseniella (Hansen-

iella) sp. which damages the sugar-cane. The Zool. Mag. 50(3) :

145-46.

Thompson, M.

1924. The soil population. An investigation of the biology of

the soil in certain districts of Aberystwyth. Ann. Appl, Biol.

11:349-94.

Tiegs, 0. W.

1945. The post-embryonic development of Hanseniella agilis

(Symphyla). Quart. Jour. Micros. Sci. 85(2,3) :192-328.

Van Zwaluwenburg, R. H.

1931. In Williams, F. X. The insects and other invertebrates of

Hawaiian sugar-cane fields. 400 p. 187 figs. Hawaiian Sugar

Planters' Assoc., Honolulu.

Verhoeff, K. W.

1933. Symphyla. In: Bronns, H. G. Klassen und Ordnungen des

Tier-Reichs. Band 5, Arthropoda, Abt. 2 (Myriapoda) Buch 3,

Lief. 1, p. 1-120.

Williams, S. R.

1907a. Habits and structure of Scutigerella immaculata (New-

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1924. The garden centipede, Scutigerella immaculata (New-

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Ent. 17(5) : 520-26.

JANUARY, 1949]

ESSIG-CITRUS APHIDS

APHIDS IN RELATION TO

QUICK DECLINE AND TRISTEZIA OF CITRUS

BY E. O. ESSIG

University of California, Berkeley

The role of aphids as transmitters of plant virus diseases is

becoming more important as a better understanding of these dis-

eases is developed. Other plant troubles involving grafting and

budding and the difficulties of combining two varieties or types of

closely related plants as one are also entering into the complex.

Just what the insects do in such cases is a problem that may re-

quire years of investigation.

The mysterious disease called “quick decline” of citrus in

California and the so-called “zonafe chlorosis” or “tristezia” of

Brazil are thought to incriminate aphids as possible carriers and

vectors.

The tristezia in Brazil is believed to be carried by the black

citrus or camellia aphid, Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fons-

colombe) , and the brown citrus aphid. Aphis citricidus (Kirk-

aldy). In South Africa, where a similar disease of citrus occurs,

this latter aphid is known as Aphis tavaresi Del Guercio, but it

is definitely a synonym of A. citricidus, which in its present role

is fortunately a more descriptive name.

It is the purpose of this note to call attention to the aphids

rather than to their possible role as transmitters of plant virus

diseases.

Although these two species, representing different genera, are

rather readily identified alive in the orchard as well as mounted

specimens in the laboratory, yet they are really quite different

anatomically and may be easily separated.

The most important and unusual character common to these

two citrus-infesting species, not found in any other known aphids,

is a net-like pattern (figs. 1, 3) on the venter of the abdomen on

segments V, VI, and VII and especially under the bases of the

cornicles. It may oceupy much of the underside of one or more

segments. This design consists of a matrix of somewhat parallel

lines that branch, curve, and coalesce to form variously shaped

linear and angular areas. Under high magnifications the posterior

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

margins of the fine lines appear toothed, like a saw (fig. 3).

This network is easily visible on eleared speeimens under high

magnifieation. It has been noted by Theobald ( 1917, fig. 3 ; 1929,

fig. 14), Blanchard (1925, fig. 5) [Chitizination on venter, not

dorsum], Reiniger (1942) and Zimmerman (1948), who showed

enlargements of the gross areas.

Differences

Aphis citricidus

(fig. 1)

1. Stigma of forewing pale

2. Cubital or media vein 2-forked

3. Antennal segment III all

black

4. Antennal segment III with

10-20 scattered sensoria. An-

tennal segment IV with 2-4

sensoria

Toxoptera aurantii

(figs. 2, 3)

1. Stigma of forewing conspicu-

ously black

2. Cubital or media vein usually

1-forked (rarely 2-forked)

3. Antennal segment III pale

with extreme tip black

4. Antennal segment III with

6-8 circular sensoria in

straight line. Antennal seg-

ment IV without sensoria.

The Brown Citrus Aphid

Aphis citricidus (Kirkaldy)

Myzus citricidus Kirkaldy 1907

Aphis tavaresi Del Guercio 1908

Aphis citricola van der Goot 1912

(fig. 1)

This dark tropical species was originally described in the genus

Myzus by Kirkaldy (1907:100) from specimens taken on Citrus

on the Island of Oahu, Territory of Hawaii. The following com-

ments accompanied the description: “it is probably an intro-

duction from China, and is very common on Citrus all over the

Hawaiian Islands.” As Aphis tavaresi it was named by Del Guer-

cio (1908:143) on Citrus spp. collected in the region of Zambezi,

Africa, by J. S. Tavares. Van der Goot (1912:273) also de-

scribed the same species under the name Aphis citricola. His speci-

mens were collected on Citrus in Chile by R. Paessler.

This is a relatively large dark brown or almost black species

that may readily be confused with such other species as Aphis

gossipii Glover, A. cooki Essig, Toxoptera aurantii (B. de Fonsc.)

that also commonly occur on citrus.

It is reported to be the vector of the virus disease known as

tristezia in Brazil.

JANUARY, 1949]

ESSIG-CITRUS APHIDS

HOST PLANTS

The brown citrus aphid has been taken chiefly on the various

species of Citrus, but it has also been reported as feeding on the

following plants : Azalea, Cudrania triscuspidata, Diospyros kaki.

Ficus carica, Poncirus trifoliata, Pyrus communis {?), Toddalia

asiatica and Trema orientalis.

Fig. 1. Aphis citricidus (Kirkaldy). Anatomical eharacteristios of

the alate and apterous forms. (Drawing by Frieda Abernathy) .

DISTRIBUTION

The distribution of the brown citrus aphid is more strictly

tropical than that of the black citrus aphid. It does not appear to

have been as widely disseminated by commerce which may be

accounted for by its less omnivorous habits and more restricted

range of host plants.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

The following localities have been noted:

AFRICA: Belgian Congo, British East Africa, Cameroun, French

Congo, French West Africa, Gold Coast, Italian Somaliland,

Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nairobi, Nyasaland, Rhodesia,

Tanganyika, Uganda, Union of South Africa.

ASIA: Ceylon, China (Chekiang, Fukien, Kaingsu, Kwangtung),

Cyprus, French Indo China, India (Bengal, Madras, Mysore),

Java, Loochoo, Japan, Malaya, Okinawa, Sumatra, Taiwan.

AUSTRALIA: West Australia.

CENTRAL AMERICA

EUROPE: Italy, Malta, Sicily, Spain.

NEW ZEALAND

PACIFIC AREA: Fiji, Territory of Hawaii, (Hawaii, Hilo, Kaui,

Oahu, Maui), Mauritius, Samoa.

SOUTH AMERICA: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Trinidad.

The Black Citrus Aphid

Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) 1841

Aphis camelliae Koch 1843

Toxoptera aurantiae Koch 1856

Aphis coffeae Nietner 1880

Ceylonia theaecola Buckton 1891

Toxoptera theohromae Schouteden 1906

Aphis citrifoliae Shiraki 1913

(Figs. 2 and 3)

This medium-sized black species is characterized by white

markings on the legs and antennae, the very prominent black

stigma, usually the single-branched media or cubital vein of the

forewings, and the net-like markings on the venter of the abdo-

men beneath the cornicles.

It is primarily a tropical and subtropical species extending its

range into the warmer temperate regions in greenhouses, lath-

houses, residences, and even out of doors in very favorable lo-

calities.

Although this species was used in a large number of tests in

California by Dickson, Flock, and Johnson (1948) no transmis-

sion of quick decline has so far been observed.

According to Posnette (1944) it also transmits the swollen

shoot disease of cacao in the Gold Coast Colony.

This species is highly susceptible to parasitism by Aphidius

confusus Ashmead and related braconids in California and the

JANUARY, 1949]

ESSIG-CITRUS APHIDS

mummied bodies of the hosts may be found in great numbers

on the curled leaves of the new trminal growth of the host plants.

HOST PLANTS

The black citrus aphid has a wide range of host plants and is

especially abundant on and injurious to the various species and

Fig*. 2. Toxoptera aurantii (Boyer de Fonscolombe) . Anatomical

characteristics of the alate and apterous forms. (After Zimmer-

man, 1948).

varieties of Cacao, Camellia, Citrus and Ficus. A list of hosts

include: Acronychia pedunculata, Alhizzia odoratissima, Algaia

odorata, Alnus cor data, Anona squamosa, Antigonum, Apocynum,

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

Ardisia sieholdi, Artahotrys odoratissimum, Artocarpus integri-

folia (A. Integra), Berheris tenuifolia, Bidens pilosa, Butea fon-

drosa, Callophyllum inophyllum. Camellia caudata, C. drupifera,

C. japonica, C. oleiferum, C. thea, Camomilla, Cassia glauca,

Chincona, Citrus aurantifolia, C. aurantium, C. limonum, C. max-

ima, C. medica, Cladium, Cojfea arahica, C. liherica, Cratoxylon

polyanthus, Cydonia japonica, Distylium stellare, Ehretia huxi-

folia, Eugenia aquea, E. sandwicensis. Eucalyptus rohusta, Evo-

dia aromatica. Ficus aukeotsang, F. ampelos, F. aurantii, F. fovo-

elata, F. hispida, F. ohscura, F. pumila, F. retusa. Gardenia flor-

ida, G. jasminoides, Helicia, Hibiscus arnottianus, H. rosasinen-

sis, H. tiliaceus. Ilex anomala, 1. aquifolium, 1. rotunda, Illicium ani-

satum, Ixora macrothyrsa, Lagerstroemia indica, Lansium domes-

ticum, Litchi chinensis, Loranthus, Macadamia, Macaranga tanar-

ius. Magnolia grandiflora, Mangifera indica, Masea sinesnsis, M.

tenera, Morus alba, Murraya exotica, Musea lanceolata, Myrsene

lessertiana, M. sandwicensis, Nephelium lappaceum, Nesaea myr-

tifolium, Odina wodier, Oxalis, Panax, Pelea, Pellionia, Pittos-

porum glabrum, P. tobira, Plieogynium solandri, Pyrus commun-

is, P. serotina, P. sinensis, Quercus, Randia spinosa, R. sinensis,

Rhamnus alaternus, Sageretia theezans, Salix babylonica, S. war-

burgii, Sapota achras, Saraca declinata, Scaevola chamissoniana,

Schima noronhae, Scolopia crenata, Severinia buxifolia, Straussia,

Styrax japOnicum, S. suberifolium, Symplocos sessili folia, Thea

caudata, T. sinensis, Theobroma cacao, Trema amboinensis, Trach-

elospermum jasminoides, Uvaria narum, Vaccinium varingiae-

folia, Vanda, Viburnum odoratissimum, V. tinus, Xylosma race-

mosum var. Kwangtungensis, Zelkova schneideriana ( ? ) .

Distribution

The distribution of the blaek eitrus aphid eomprises the tropi-

eal, sub-tropieal and warmer temperate regions of the world

wherever its important host plants oeeur. It is also a greenhouse

inhabitant in the temperate regions. The following distributional

list is probably only an indieation of its true geographieal range:

AFRICA: Belgian Congo, Freneh Congo, German East Africa, Gold

Coast, Italian Somaliland, Cameroun, Kenya, Morocco, Nyasa-

land, Sao Tome, Tanganyika, Uganda, Union of South Africa.

ASIA: Caucasus, Ceylon, China (Chekiang, Fukien, Kwangtung),

French Indo China, Georgia, India (Assam, Madras), Java,

JANUARY, 1949]

ESSIG-CITRUS APHIDS

Fig. 3. Toxoptera aurantii. Top — net-like structures on venter of

abdomen; bottom — enlargement of same to show saw-toothed

structures. (Drawing by Frieda Abernathy).

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

Malaya, Palestine, Philippine Islands, Sumatra, Taiwan, Trans-

eaueasia, Turkey.

AUSTRALIA: New South Wales, Queensland, Vietoria, West Aus-

tralia.

EUROPE: Italy, Malta, Spain.

NEW ZEALAND

NORTH AMERICA: Barbados, California, Cuba, Dominica, Florida,

Guatemala, Mississippi, Montserrat, Puerto Rico, Santo Do-

mingo, St. Thomas, Windward and Leeward Islands.

PACIFIC AREA: Fiji, Guam, Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, Oahu, Mol-

okai, Maui, Hawaii), Samoa.

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ESSIG-CITRUS APHIDS

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THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

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JANUARY, 1949]

ESSIG-CITRUS APHIDS

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THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

OBSERVATIONS ON THE LIFE HISTORY OF

CHLOROSEA BANKSARIA SPERRY

(Lepidoptera : Geometridae)

BY FREDERICK H. RINDGE

University of California, Berkeley

Chlorosea BANKSARIA Sperry

Chlorosea nevadaria, Packard, 1876, Mono. Geom., p. 378 (in part) ;

Front, 1932, Macrolep. World, 8:42 (not Packard, 1874).

Chlorosea hanksaria Sperry, 1944, Can. Ent., 76:36.

This beautiful moth is widespread throughout the Pacific

States from British Columbia to southern California and is of

rather common occurrence in much of its range. Nevertheless,

its life history does not appear to have been published.

A single larva of this species was obtained April 12, 1948,

from beating Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Esch. in the vicinity of Kings

Mountain, San Mateo County, California, at approximately 2000

feet altitude. This caterpillar was reared in the laboratory on

the above food plant, pupation occurred April 29, and the adult

emerged May 16, 1948.

Antepenultimate instar. Head width 0.8 mm., height 0.7 mm.,

length 0.3 mm. No further observations made.

Penultimate instar. Head rather small, the thorax and abdomen

with prominent lateral projections on the segments. Head slightly

bilobed, coarsely rugose, purplish-brown, with light brown on ocellar

region and front of lobes. Labrum and antennae light green. Width

1.0 mm., height 1.1 mm., length 0.6 mm.

Thorax with very prominent dorsal and lateral protuberances.

Prothorax anteriorly with very high median conical pair of pro-

jections, extending dor so -anteriorly over the head, and with smaller

pair laterad of these; two smaller pairs of protuberances poster-

iorly along dorsum, the posterior of these being quite small and

inconspicuous. Mesothorax with three pairs of median humps

dorsally, the anterior two rounded swellings, the posterior a

prominent pair of protuberances. Metathorax with single pair of

small median lobes. Dorso-lateral margins of meso- and metathorax

produced into prominent lateral extensions. Dorsally dark green,

with purplish cast; all projections, swellings and lateral extensions

purple; spiracular swellings orange-yellow. Laterally and ventrally

light green. Legs purplish. Surface of thorax and abdomen heavily

JANUARY, 1949]

RINDGE-CHLOROSEA

granular, the granules with whitish cast, especially on sides of

body. Setae on thorax and abdomen small, colorless.

Abdomen dorsally with anterior mid-line paired swellings on

each segment, these being quite small and inconspicuous on anterior

segments but increasing in size posteriorly, on last segment very

high and conspicuous. Lateral margins of each segment produced,

into long prominent extensions extending laterally and upwards

but not beyond anterior margins of segments, being most produced

at anterior margins of segments and most prominent on segments

two, three, four and five; on posterior three segments reduced to

large rounded swellings. Dorsally dark green, slightly lighter than

on thorax; tips and margins of lateral extensions purple, as are

the mid-line paired swellings, these latter becoming' more prom-

inently marked with purple posteriorly, so that the last four seg-

ments are purple dorsally. Laterally, green as above except! pojst-

eriorly on last three segments, these being purplish and including

both prolegs. Ventrally, deep purple on segments three and four,

bordered laterally by broad band of white granules. Spiracles liglht

orange-yellow. Inter segmental membranes yellow-green. Anal plate

greenish with slight pinkish-purple cast posteriorly.

Ultimate instar. Appears as before. Head width 1.5 mm., height

1.7 mm., length 0.8 mm.; subrectangular, only slightly bilobed, with

anterior surface flattened. Setae small, inconspicuous; second

posterior setae near vertex; second adfrontal setae on same level

as first posterior setae; first adfrontal setae equidistant from sec-

ond adfrontal and first posterior setae, closer to these than to

frontal setae; anterior setae form slightly more than a right angle;

ocellar setae form right angle; six ocelli well developed.

Body lighter green, matching the Ceanothus leaves; head and

legs reddish brown; thoracic markings reddish; abdominal mark-

ings red-brown with purple cast. All setae very small, inconspic-

uous. Prothoracic setae la, Ib, Ha from large dorsal reddish pro-

tuberances; Ilb from posterior base of protuberance bearing Ila;

IV and V below spiracle. Mesothoracic setae la from dorsal

reddish protuberance, Ib laterad of this; remainder of setae from

lateral projections. Meta thoracic setae similarly arranged.

Abdominal setae I from, anterior protuberances except on first

segment, II from inconspicuous base; on segments six and seven I

and II more laterad than on preceding segments; setae I on eighth

segment mounted on very prominent spine directed posteriorly; III

dorso-anterior to spiracles on segments two to seven, while on seg-

ments one and eight they are dorsad; setae IV and V at extreme

ends of wide lateral projections; VI posterior; VII and VIII in

usual positions. Spiracles on second, third, fourth, fifth, seventh

and eighth segments on dorsal surface; those on remaining seg-

ments on lateral surface.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

The larva has the trembling or quivering motions as has been

noted for others in this subfamily in the genera Nemoria (Corn-

stock and Dammers, 1937; Comstock and Henne, 1940; Comstock,

1945), Synchlora (Comstock and Dammers, 1937) and Cheteoseelis

(Hulst, 1888).

Pupa. Light green, more or less concolorous with food plant;

head regions and posterior part of abdomen ventrally shaded with,

yellow-green; wing cases and appendages rugose. Cremaster of

eight curved spines, subequal in length, arising' from lateral mar-

gins of last segment; the latter ventrally with, surface thrown up

into numerous ridges. Spiracles elongate, slightly shaded with

yellow-brown. Length 14 mm., width 4 mm. A day or two before

emergence the abdominal spots of the adult show through very

plainly, and the antennae and other appendages become darker

along their margins. Pupation occurred on the food plant, in a

delicate webbing between adjacent branches and leaves.

The larvae of Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria (Guenee) and

Nemoria ruhrifrontaria (Packard) have been described and il-

lustrated in detail by Dethier (1942) . The larva of Chlorosea hank-

saria Sperry may be distinguished from them by the following

characters: Front of head more square and broader; first and

second adfrontal setae equidistant from first posterior setae; third

anterior setae on same level with first adfrontal setae, as are the

second adfrontal setae and the first posterior setae; anterior setae

almost form a right angle. The larvae of Chlorochlamys are with-

out the prominent lateral thoracic and abdominal projections and

so are immediately distinguishable. Chlorosea and Nemoria may

be further differentiated in the body regions by the very small

and inconspicuous setae of the former; and that the lateral ab-

dominal processes do not extend caudad of their respective seg-

ments, and are truncate anteriorly, usually extending anteriorly

at right angles from the mid-line when viewed from above.

Bibliography

Comstock, J. A.

1945, Bull. So. Calif. Acad. Sci., 44:20-21.

Comstock, J. A. and C. M. Dammers

1937, Bull. So. Calif. Acad. Sci., 36:71-78.

Comstock, J. A. and C. Henne

1940, Bull. So. Calif. Acad. Sci., 39:78-79.

Dethier, V. G.

1942, Can. Ent., 74:231-233.

Hulst, G. D.

1888, Ent. Amer., 3:193.

JANUARY, 1949]

TILDEN-PARASITES

NOTES ON PARASITES OF CERTAIN MICROLEPIDOPTERA

(Gracilariidae)

BY J. W. TILDEN

The following leaf-mining Lepidoptera together with the enu-

merated parasites were reared in eonneetion with the obtaining of

material for a morphologieal problem.

The author is indebted to Dr. C. F. W. Muesebeek of the

National Museum for determination of the parasites, and to Dr.

Annette F. Braun of Cineinnati, Ohio, for the determination of the

food plant variant of Lithocolletis agrifoliella Braun.

Lithocolletis nemoris Wlsm. This speeies is the eommon leaf

miner of Vaccinium ovatum Pursh. The mines on the upper sur-

faee, and at first are flat and nearly spherical, becoming tentiform

at last. Finally the entire upper surface of the leaf is mined and

at pupation the upper epidermis of the leaf is thrown into three

or more folds. Pupation is in a flattened coccon attached to the

floor of the mine. The epidermis of the leaf may be removed, in

most instances, without disturbing the cocoon. In many cases the

lateral edges of the leaves are distorted and approach one another,

so the leaves containing cocoons are trough shaped. This appears

to be due to the drying of the upper epidermis after it becomes

separated from the underlying tissues.

This species is heavily parasitized. Three genera of hyme-

nopterous parasites were reared:

1. Apanteles sp., apparently undescribed. One parasite occurs

per host larva, and upon reaching its growth, exits from the host

and spins a pale yellowish cocoon in the mine but at some distance

from the dead host. Upon emergence it exits from the leaf by a

small circular hole in the upper epidermis of the leaf.

2. Zagrammosoma n. sp. (Eulophidae) . This parasite emerged

shortly after the material was brought into the laboratory and no

notes were obtained.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

3. Chrysocharis n. sp. (Eulophidae) . The larvae of this spe-

cies feed externally on the host and occur in fours. The growth is

very rapid and in one case the larvae, which were very small when

first noted, cast the meconium and pupated within four days. The

pupae range from metallic blue to steel green in color, darkening

to nearly black before emergence. The pupae are able to with-

stand considerable dessication, and will emerge normally even when

the entire upper epidermis of the leaf is removed for observation.

Lithocolletis agrifoliella Braun. This was at first thought to be

a new species, since it was reared from Castanopsis chrysophylla

A. D.C. var. minor Benth. Dr. Annette F. Braun, however, regards

it as a food plant variant of agrifoliella Braun, from the typical

form of which it differs mainly by reason of a darker and richer

coloration. This variant commonly mines the leaves of Castanopsis

in the Sierra Morena (King Mountain) region of San Mateo

County, California, forming upper surface mines of a similar form

to those normally found on Quercus agrifolia Nee. This appears

to be the first record of Lithocolletis agrifoliella Braun from Casta-

nopsis.

This moth is parasitized by an undescribed species of Chryso-

charis which closely resembles that found parasitizing nemoris.

This parasite likewise occurs typically in fours, and may be the

same species, since both hosts are found in the same area. The

pupal stage is quite long, in sharp contrast to the larval stage,

which is short. Pupation occurs in the mine of the host, but the

larvae crawl to various parts of the mine before pupation. Four

larvae which pupated on March 26, 1947, emerged as adults on

May 16, a period of fifty-one days. The adults emerge from the

mine by cutting minute holes in the upper epidermis of the leaf.

Gracilaria reticulata Braun. This is locally the commonest Gra-

cilaria on Quercus agrifolia Nee, although it appears from rearings,

that it is not the only species found on this oak. The mines are

mostly on the under surface and near the edges, and are accom-

panied by considerable distortion of the leaf. Pupation may be in

the mines, but more often the larvae let themselves down by silken

threads and pupate in the duff below the tree.

From this moth was reared an unidentified Gelis sp. No notes

were obtained.

JANUARY, 1949]

FENDER-CANTHARIDAE

STUDIES IN THE CANTHARIDAE III

( Coleoptera)

BY KENNETH M. FENDER

McMinnville, Oregon

When revisional work on the Cantharidae was begun some

years ago, the author little realized the task he had assigned him-

self. It was thought at the time that the genus Cantharis was the

only one of the larger genera requiring truly analytieal study.

Mrs. Fender (Dorothy McKey-Fender) was kindly permitted to

aeeept this task. With the aid of Fall’s work with Podahrus^ and

Malthodes^ and Van Dyke’s revision of Silis^, the author’s chore

would be largely compilation. The inaccuracy of this line of

reasoning has been indicated by the new species described by

Brown^ and Green®* * ® as well as those of the author. Until condi-

tions permit completion of the revisions, it is hoped that these

studies will somewhat compensate for the lack.

The genus Podabrus can be broken down into eight groups

on the basis of the ungual characters of the males. These char-

acters hold true for only the first group in the females. In the

other groups the claws of the females are the same — all claws

toothed. Females of the first group have the claws similar to

the males.

The many recently described species suggest a more con-

venient method of arranging the species for keying. Grouping

the species and referring to such groups seems preferable to

citing some certain couplet in Fall’s key. The following key

to males of the genus is offered to assist in the assignation of

species to their groups. It is designed to avoid the rather ter-

rifying first couplet of Fall which has seven parts, all but the

first two parts requiring the study of all of the claws.

^Fall, H. C., 1928, Ent. Am., 8 (n. s.) : 65-103.

2Fall, H. C., 1919, Ann. Ent. Soc. Am., 12: 31-42.

*Van Dyke, E. C., 1918, Journal N. Y. Ent. Soc., 26: 161-179.

‘Brown, W. J., 1940. Can. Ent., 72 : 161-163.

®Green, J. W., 1947, Trans. Am. Ent. Soci., 73 : 63-76.

•Green, J. W., 1948, Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., 74: 75-82.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

Key to Groups of Podabrus (Males)

1. Claws in both sexes armed with a long acute tooth caus-

ing them to appear broadly cleft Group I

- Claws either finely cleft or with a broad basal tooth or

some combination of these 2

2. All claws armed with a broad basal tooth, the free angle

of which may be rectangular or more or less acute Group II

- Claws of front tarsi finely cleft 3

3. Both claws of middle tarsi finely cleft 4

- At least one claw of middle tarsi toothed 6

4. All claws finely cleft Group III

- At least one claw of hind tarsi toothed 5

5. Both claws of hind tarsi toothed Group IV

- Outer tooth of hind tarsi toothed, all other finely cleft

Group VIII

6. Both claws of middle tarsi toothed Group V

- Outer claws of middle tarsi toothed, inner claws finely

cleft 7

7. Both claws of hind tarsi toothed Group VI

- Outer claws of hind tarsi toothed, inner claws finely cleft

Group VII

The species of Podabrus described to date may be assigned

to their groups as follows:

Group I

All claws of both sexes armed with a long acute tooth caus-

ing them to appear broadly cleft.

latimanus Lee.

punctulatus Lee.

amhiguus Fall

flavicollis Lee.

rugulosus Lee.

quadratus Lee.

appendiculatus Fall

modestus Say

knoheli Fall

intrusus Say

frosti Fend.

longicornis Fall

frater Lee.

diadema Fab.

cascadensis Fend.

hrunneus Fend.

comes Lee.

protensus Lee.

conspiratus Fall

fayi Lee.

illex Fall

hrunnicollis Fab.

pruinosus Lee.

hinotatus Lee.

limatus Fall

confraternus Fall

fain Hopp.

sierrae Fall

tomentosus Say

knowltoni Fend.

dreishachi Green

viduus Fall

tricostatus Say

fulvus Fall

JANUARY, 1949]

FENDER-CANTHARIDAE

pygmaeus Green

hrevicollis Fall

fissus Lee.

brimleyi Green

nothoides Lee.

hasilaris Lee.

tenuis Fall

muleibris Fall

occipitalis Fall

mellitus Fall

modulatus Fall

Group II

All elaws of both sexes armed with a broad basal tooth, the

free angle of whieh may be reetangular or more or less aeute.

extricatus Fall

lanei Fend.

tejonicus Lee. (?)

scaber Lee.

cinctipennis Lee.

limbellus Lee.

fumiganus Green

punctatus Lee.

dietrichi Green

macer Lee.

piniphilus Eseh.

puncticollis Kby.

extremus Lee.

brevipennis Lee.

xanthoderus Lee.

bolteri Lee.

excursus Fall

tejonicus Lee. was deseribed from a female and has been ten-

tatively plaeed in this group by Fall.

Group III

All elaws finely eleft in the male, in the female all broadly

toothed at base.

fissilis Fall vernalis Green

Group IV

Claws of male finely eleft on front and middle feet, toothed

at base on the hind feet; in the female all broadly toothed at

base.

lateralis Lee.

deceptus Brown

obscurevittatus Fall

secretus Brown

puberulus Lee.

simplex Lee.

pattoni Lee.

gracilis Fall

instabilis Fall

moestus Fall

tetragonoderus Fall

altus Fall

Group V

Claws of male finely cleft on the front feet, toothed on the

middle and hind feet; all elaws of the female toothed.

laevicollis Kby. citrinus Fall

fenestratus Fall perplexus Brown

probus Fall

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 1

Group VI

Claws of front feet of male finely cleft, of the middle feet

outer claw toothed inner cleft, on the hind feet both claws toothed;

all claws toothed in the female.

heteronychus Fall furtivus Fall

Group VII

Claws of the front feet finely cleft, of the middle and hind feet

outer claw toothed inner cleft; all claws toothed in the female.

Podabrus danielsi Fend, is our only known representative of this

group.

Group VIII

Outer claw of hind feet of male toothed, all other cleft; all

claws toothed in the female.

calif ornicus Fend. carmelensis Fend.

lucidatus Fend. rossi Fend.

lutosus Lee. corneus Lee.

smithi Fend.

cavicollis Lee.

APHODIUS RECTUS MOTS. IN OREGON

(Coleoptera, Scarabaeidae)

The scarab, Aphodius rectus Mots., has been taken in fair

numbers from cow dung in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. This

species has been captured at Dayton and McMinnville with up-

wards of a hundred specimens having been collected. It has pre-

viously been recorded from East Siberia, Japan, China and Amur.

Two varieties are found here. The dark phase is almost entirely

black occasionally with the elytral apices paler. The pale form has

the elytra dark testaceous with the suture and a large triangular

lateral area black, this latter dark area arising near the humerus,

expanded to or almost to the suture at the apical fourth then

rather abruptly truncated apically.

Drs. Ross and VanDyke and Mr. Hugh Leech of the California

Academy of Sciences kindly compared this material with speci-

mens in the Academy collection concluding that this is the species

represented. — Kenneth Fender, McMinnville, Oregon.

JANUARY, 1949]

LANHAM-ANDRENA

NOTES ON THE GROUP OF ANDRENA CARLINI

COCKERELL, WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW

SPECIES FROM CALIFORNIA

(Hymenoptera: Apoidea)

BY URLESS N. LANHAM

Department of Zoology, University of Michigan

The well-known Andrena carlini Cockerell is representative of

a group of Andrena occurring throughout the United States which

may be defined as follows:

Medium-sized to large species (11-13 mm. in length) with un-

handed, nearly glabrous terga. Process of labrum large, entire or

only slightly emarginate, not reflexed at tip, facial fovea broad;

thorax finely sculptured, propodeal corbicula rather well de-

veloped, with interior hairy throughout, but no compact fringe of

hairs anteriorly; trochanteral floccus perfect, tibial scopa with

hairs of outer face simple; wings with first recurrent nervure end-

ing near middle of second submarginal cell. Males with cheeks

wide, mandibles decussate; genitalia with tips of parameres ex-

panded, sagitta not flanged dorsally.

The very similar group of A. vicina Smith differs in having

the trochanteral floccus imperfect (basal hears short, straight, not

forming a part of the brush) and in having the tips of the para-

meres of the male genitalia narrow and strap-like.

The quite distinctive species described herein is characterized

structurally among the species of the carfi'ni-group (in the female)

by the rather dull and closely, finely punctate clypeus and the tri-

angular, narrowly truncate process of the labrum. In spite of the

rather poorly developed trochanteral floccus, the other characters

of female, such as the weakly produced metanotum (tending to be

strongly protuberant in the vicina-gioup ) , and also the male geni-

talia, indicate the species to be a member of the carlini-group.

Andrena hurdi Lanham, new species

Female. Inteigument pure black; pubescence of dorsum of thor-

ax, of pronotal lobes, of upper one-third of pleura, of nearly all of

propodeum, and a few hairs on hind femora grayish white, with

faint fulvous tinge, rest of pubescence black. Clypeus reticulate,

rather dull, closely and finely punctate, punctures subcontiguous

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

to one pucture-width apart, no median ridge present, but a poorly

developed median impunctate band apparent; process of labrum

triangular, tip narrowly rounded or narrowly subtrunc:ate, and

slightly thickened; fovea extending well below dorsal margin of

clypeus, tomentum black. Thorax with rather long pubescence;

integument of mesoscutum nearly hidden by pubescence, dull, gran,

ular, with very weak punctures; enclosure of propodeum almost

hidden by pubescence at sides of the enclosure, surface finely reticu-

late, with a few weak wrinkles above, propodeal corbicula with-

out conspicuously branched hairs along anterior margin; wings

moderately darkened, tips darker than rest of membrane, nervures

and pterostigma nearly black, second submarginal cell noticeably

quadrate, the first inter cubitus being nearly straight; tibial scopa

somewhat looser than in A. carUni, spurs of hind tibia black, tro-

chanteral floccus rather poorly developed for a member of the

species-group. Terga reticulate, only slightly shining, finely, closely,

and distinctly punctate, punctures on elevated portion of second

tergum one to three puncture- widths apart, caudal fimbria black;

pygidium broadly rounded at tip, central triangle coarsely reticu-

late. Length, 12 mm.; forewing, 10 mm.

Male. Head with cheeks one-half again as wide as eyes, broadly

rounded; antennae with segment three distinctly longer than four,

not quite as long as four plus five; hair of cheeks, of sides of face,

and of face between antennae black, that of rest of head grayish

white. Thorax with long pubescence, none black. Abdomen with

numerous white hairs on first two terga, remaining terga with all

of hairs black. Genitalia with tips of parameres moderately ex-

panded, external margin not sinuate as in carlini, tip of eighth

sternite distinctly emarglnate. Length, 11 mm.; forewing 9 mm.

Holotype, female (Calif. Acad. Sci., Ent. No. 6118) : Westley,

Stanislaus County, California; 1 April, 1948; on Brassica; (P. D.

Hurd). Allotype, male (Calif. Acad. Sci., Ent. No. 6119): same

data as holotype. Paratypes: 5 females, 13 males, same data as

holotype.

None of the females carried pollen loads.

A tentative key to those females of the carlini-gioup, which,

like the present species, have the pleural hairs all or mostly black,

follows :

1. Clypeus rather protruberant, with large, irregularly and

rather sparsely distributed punctures; process of labrum

very wide, broadly rounded carlini Cockerell

- Clypeus not protruberant, with small, rather closely and

more or less evenly spaced punctures; process of labrum,

broadly or narrowly truncate, or slightly emarginate, or

triangular with narrowly rounded tip

JANUARY, 1949]

HAGEN-ICHNEUMONIDS

2. Mesoscutum with transverse band of black pubescence

between tegulae 3

- Mesoscutum without transverse band of black pubescence 4

3. Hairs of trochanteral floccus white to base, black band

of mesoscutum rather inconspicuous cyanura Cockerell

- Hairs of trochanteral floccus with basal one-half black,

black band of mesoscutum conspicuous transnigra Viereck

4. Clypeus more sparsely punctate, some punctures more

than two puncture- widths apart regular is Malloch

- Clypeus more closely punctate, punctures subcontiguous

to one puncture- width apart 5

5. Process of labrum triangular, tip narrowly rounded; in-

tegument of terga pure black; propodeum without black

hairs, except possibly on extreme lower margins ../trtrcZi Lanham

- Process of labrum emarginate- truncate ; integument of

terga with slight bluish tinge; propodeum with consider-

able black hair, at least on dorsal fringe of corbicula

and on sides of propodeum heterura Cockerell

Mr. P. H. Timberlake has kindly compared paratypes of A.

hurdi with the type of ^4. heterura, and found, in addition to the

charaeters tabulated in the key, that heterura (female) has the

pygidium acute and without sculpture (broad, reticulate in

hurdi), and that the enclosure of the propodeum was smaller in

hurdi, with the sides more arcuate; other differences were also

apparent.

TWO NEW ICHNEUMONID HOST RECORDS

This note contributes new host records for two California

Ichneumonidae.

Several larvae of Prodenia praefica Grote, collected from al-

falfa near Tracy, California, in September, 1947, by C. Thomp-

son, were caged and allowed to pupate. Two specimens of Therion

californicum (Cresson) were reared from the pupae. Near Fel-

ton, California, on June 3, 1947, Ephialtes Ontario (Cresson) was

observed to oviposit in the pupae of the California oakworm Phry-

ganidia californica Packard. From these collected parasitized

pupae, the progeny of E. Ontario emerged. The writer is indebted

to H. K. Townes for determining the above Ichneumonidae. —

K. S. Hagen.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

E, S. Eoss

V ice-P resident

A. E. Michelbacher

President

D. D. Jensen

Secretary

Proceedings

One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Meeting

The one hundred and ninety-seventh meeting of the Pacific

Coast Entomological Society was held at 2:00 p.m., on January 17,

1948, in the entomological laboratories of the California Academy

of Sciences, San Francisco. President Michelbacher in the chair.

The following members were present: J. W. Tilden, E. A. Smith,

W. D. Murray, J. R. Walker, A. E. Pritchard, R. C. Miller, R. L.

Usinger, H. B. Leech, E. C. Van Dyke, C. D. Duncan, W. W. Hart,

T. L. Fisher, E. 0. Essig, W. W. Middlekauff, E. G. Meyers, R. J.

Bartges, E. F. Quinnell, E. L. Kessel, R. E. Blackwelder, A. W.

Larson, R. W. L. Potts, L. R. Gillogly, J. W. MacSwain, N. W.

Hazel, H. T. Reynolds, 0. G. Bacon, H. F. Madsen, A. J. Walz, R.

L. Doutt, F. E. Skinner, D. B. Culver, E. S. Ross, P. H. Arnaud, K.

S. Hagen, E. Hagen, M. Marquis, H. P. Chandler, R. Van den

Bosch, R. F. Smith, H. Blakemore, A. E. Michelbacher and D. D.

Jensen. Visitors were present as follows: D. B. Reddy, A. W.

Macphee, A. G. Applegarth, L. M. Henry, G. L. Smith, E. G.

Wegenek and C. P. Hoyt,

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed the following for member-

ship in the Society: G. L. Smith, Laura M. Henry, E. G. Wegenek,

and C. P. Hoyt. They were unanimously elected.

The membership committee proposed that in recognition of their

long and distinguished service to the Society, G. F, Ferris, E, 0.

Essig and E. R. Leach be elected to Honored Membership, the

Society’s highest award. They were unanimously elected.

President Michelbacher announced the following changes in

the membership of the standing committees: Program'. A. E.

Michelbacher and R. W. L. Potts released with E, L. Kessel and

R. F. Smith appointed in their stead. Membership-. A. E. Michel-

bacher and R. W. L. Potts released with J. W. MacSwain and Paul

Harvey appointed in their places. Historical: R. W. L. Potts and

H. B. Leech appointed as additional members of the committee.

Publications: E. R. Leach appointed to fill the vacancy resulting

from the death of Dr. F. E. Blaisdell. E. 0. Essig and G. F. Ferris

reappointed to the committee with terms to expire in 1950.

Professor E. 0. Essig reported that he had received an indirect

request for clothing to be sent to a German entomologist and his

family who are in need of assistance. After some discussion Dr.

JANUARY, 1949] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

E. C. Miller moved that a committee be appointed to receive cloth-

ing for such purposes. The motion was carried unanimously and

President Michelbacher appointed C. D. Duncan, 0. G. Bacon and

W. Hart to serve as such a committee.

In response to a call for notes and exhibits, Dr. E. L. Kessel

displayed a cerambycid larva of the genus Ergates which was col-

lected alive in a piece of two by four timber being used in the

construction of a house. A large burrow had been made in the wood

by the larva.

J. W. Tilden exhibited an adult longicorn beetle, Tragidion arm-

atwm Lee. which had been collected as a larva from yucca by George

Mansfield, in March, 1941, at Borego Valley in San Diego County.

The larva had been carried to San Jose where it was reared to

maturity in a petri dish. It emerged as an adult in July, 1941.

J. W. Tilden also exhibited first instar nymphs of a cicada,

Platypedia sp., which had hatched from eggs at Stanford Univer-

sity in September, 1947.

President Michelbacher then introduced the main speaker of

the meeting, Mr. Hugh B. Leech who spoke on “The Canadian

Forest Insect Survey.” His remarks are abstracted as follows:

The Canadian Forest Insect Survey, long envisioned by officers

of the Forest Insect Unit of the Division of Entomology, became

an actuality in 1935, and owed its start to an introduced pest. In

1930 the European spruce sawfly (Gilpinia hercyniae (Hartig),

the Diprion polytomum Hartig of earlier reports), was found in

the Gaspe Peninsula of New Brunswick, the first record for North

America.

By 1935 it had almost completely defoliated 6,000 square miles

of spruce in the Gaspe, and had spread into Ontario and to New

York State. Its appearance in Ontario brought it to the attention

of moneyed lumbering interests, while its rate of dispersal sug-

gested that it might even reach the Pacific Coast via the northen

coniferous forests.

Under such conditions, money yearly asked for by the entomo-

logists suddenly became available. A cooperative survey project was

started in 1935. The Forest Insect Unit provided advice and super-

vision, laboratory facilities, and specialists in insect identification;

the Dominion and Provincial Forest Services and allied services,

and the forest industries, provided the personnel necessary for

wide coverage of the country.

In 1936 the Survey was extended to British Columbia, by which

time laboratory (and organizational) centers were at Frederickton,

N. B., Ottawa, Ont., Winnipeg, Man., Indian Head, Sask., and Ver-

non, B. C. Later, the chief Forest Insect Laboratory for Canada

was built, in cooperation with the Province of Ontario, at Sault

Ste. Marie, Ont., and it is now the administrative center for the

Survey.

At first, all cooperators were asked to make one or more col-

lections a month, June through September, from spruce trees.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

Later thej?- were asked to make two or more for each of the four

months, and to sample all the important coniferous and deciduous

trees in their areas. Special reports on any noticeable insect ac-

tivities were requested.

As the data obtained in the Survey began to show its value in

dollars and cents, especially with reference to an extensive and

intensive outbreak of the spruce budworm, a larger budget was

granted to the Forest Insect Unit. This allowed use of the survey

technical personnel for nearly full-time administrative and re-

search work. A new classification, that of Forest Insect Ranger,

was established. It called for non-technical men, preferably mar-

ried, with high school but not university education, and experience

in the woods. These men are now the backbone of the Surveys ; they

work chiefly in pairs, and are assigned to definite territories.

They make regular and special collections, patrol by land, water,

and air, investigate reported outbreaks, establish and service perm-

anent sample plots, cruise timber, map infestations, etc. During

the winter they work up field data, submit reports, outline work

for the next season, cruise timber, and attend a course of lectures

on general and forest entomology. Those of each center are answer-

able to a Chief Ranger, not to the technical personnel; the co-

ordinator for the entire Survey has headquarters at Sault Ste.

Marie, Ontario.

Transportation has been a major problem. Where the terrain

permits or enforces it, outrigger canoes and larger boats are used;

elsewhere, chiefly 4- wheel drive army vehicles (HUP’s), which will

be replaced as more desirable models become available. Through

the generosity of the cooperating services, rangers go as passengers

on various car, boat and plane trips, often to areas not usually

accessible.

With trained rangers making a good proportion of the monthly

collections, the field data are more accurate and have broader cover-

age each year. With increased personnel, the significance of the

work in forest conservation and industry, and in pure research,

will be increasingly important. The Survey attempts to provide

forewarning of outbreak of forest pests, and, partly in prepara-

tion for the control thereof, the bionomics of each species of forest

insect.

During the talk Mr. Leech gave details of the collecting, rear-

ing, labelling, indentification, and building up of a collection. Stress

was laid on personnel problems and on the basic dependence of

the work on taxonomists.

After a discussion of the paper, the meeting was adjourned. —

D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

One Hundred and Ninety-eighth Meeting

The one hundred and ninety-eighth meeting of the Pacific Coast

Entomological Society was held at 2 :00 p.m. on February 28, 1948,

in the entomological laboratories of the California Academy of

JANUARY, 1949] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

Sciences, San Francisco. President Michelbacher in the chair. The

following members were present: A. E. Michelbacher, D. D. Jen-

sen, K. E. Frick, D. W. Boddy, W. W. Middlekauff, E. C. Van

Dyke, E. 0. Essig, R. F. Smith, A. J. Walz, H. B. Leech, T. 0.

Thatcher, L. M, Henry, G. F. Ferris, B. D. Culver, F. E. Skinner,

P. H. Arnaud, F. J. Driver, H. P. Chandler, Mrs. H. P. Chandler,

W. D. Murray, G. P. Hoyt, W. W. Wirth, E. E. Seibert, C. H. Han-

son, E. S. Ross, C. H. Spitzer, Jr., D. H. Bixby, P, A. Adams, A.

E. Pritchard, G. L. Smith, P. D. Hurd, Jr., J. W. MacSwain, W. W.

Sampson, J. W. Tilden, J. P. Harville, R. E. Beer, P. A. Harvey,

J. R. Walker, R. C. Miller, W. Russell, E. L. Kessel, B. B. Kessel,

H. A. Scullen, E. G. Wegenek, H. T. Reynolds, and H. H. Blake-

more. Visitors were present as follows: Ruth F. Hanke, Wm. L.

Hoyt, L. L. Lewallen, Mrs. J. W. Tilden, Thomas Leigh and W. A.

McDonald.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed the following for member-

ship in the Society: Richard W. Coleman, I. Barry Tarshis, Frank

A. Ehrenford, Vernon M. Stern, Francis Leigh, and Frederick

Rindge. They were unanimously elected.

President Michelbacher appointed the following members as a

committee to investigate possible localities for the April field trip

of the Society: Mr. J. W. MacSwain (Chairman), Dr. E. S. Ross,

and Miss Laura Henry. The committee is to report its recommenda-

tions at the March meeting.

The chair called for notes, exhibits, and remarks. Dr. Middle-

kauff displayed a new species of sawfly of the family Siricidae,

collected in Berkeley, California, 1932, on white fir. This is the

first new species in this family reported in North America since

Bradley’s work in 1913.

Mr. MacSwain reported on four egg masses of Meloe strigulosus

Mann, laid by adults collected in the Oakland Hills between De-

cember and February. Of the eggs showing development, over 75

per cent of the larvae were abnormal. Several slides were ex-

hibited showing many larval abnormalities including one individual

from which the head and prothorax were completely lacking and

which possessed only one meso-thoracic leg, the metathorax and

abdomen being normal.

Mr. H. B. Leech exhibited two new entomological publications,

a new book by A. D. Imms entitled “Insect Natural History” and

the 44th Annual Volume of the Entomological Society of British

Columbia.

Professor H. A. Scullen, a member of the Society, visiting from

Oregon State College was introduced to the members present and

expressed his pleasure at attending the meeting.

President Michelbacher introduced the main speaker of the

meeting. Dr. W. W. Middlekauff, who presented a paper, with ac-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

companying lantern slide illustrations, entitled “Bionomics of Some

American Sawfly Larvae.” A summary of Dr. Middlekauff's re-

marks follows:

With the exception of the parasitic family Orussidae, sawfly

larvae are completely phytophagous. The commonest hosts are all

very primitive plants and include ferns, conifers, grasses and

sedges, willows, alders, hickories, oaks, and almost every native

genus of Eosaceae. There are sawflies which feed on other hosts,

but aside from those named, few sawfly larvae attack them. Thus

only a few species feed on such specialized plant families as the

Ericaceae, Caprifoliaceae, and Compositae.

A few sawfly groups are very narrowly restricted in host range.

The family Diprionidae feeds only on pines, most of the subfamily

Selandriinae only on ferns, and in other groups many genera are

confined to a single plant genus. Conversely a few groups such as

the Nematinae show a great range of host species amongst the

various genera.

Sawfly larvae may be segregated into the following categories,

based upon their feeding habits.

1. Free leaf feeders — majority of Tenthredinoidea and Xyelidae.

2. Leaf miners — several genera of Phyllotominae, several

species of Argidae, and one species of Nematinae. Caulo-

campus acericaulis mines the petioles of maples.

3. Web spinners — family Pamphiliidae.

4. Wood and stem borers — Siricidae, Xiphydriidae, and Cephi-

dae.

5. Gall makers — Lycaotella, Pontania, and Euura.

6. Fruit eaters — Hoplocampinae.

7. Parasitic — Orussus.

Larval Feeding Habits. Sawfly larvae may be gregarious or soli-

tary in feeding habits. This is controlled to a great extent by the

female and her manner of depositing eggs. It is a constant feature

for a species, however. The great majority of leaf-feeding saw-

flies are edge feeders and many species have characteristic feed-

ing postures. Habits of several species were discussed in detail

and the manner in which the larvae of Siricidae and Cephidae

prepare for their escape as adults was mentioned.

It has recently been shown that Siricidae have symbiotic fungi

living in association with them. Spores of a Basidiomycete are in-

oculated into the egg tunnel and the developing mycelia are utilized

by the larvae in digesting wood particles.

Protective glands are possessed by many species of sawflies on

the external surface of their bodies which secrete fluids, slime, or

wax. Examples of several types were given.

Difficulties in rearing and methods of pupation were also dis-

cussed.

At the conclusion of a discussion of the paper the meeting was

adjourned. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

JANUARY, 1949] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

One Hundred and Ninety-ninth Meeting

The one hundred and ninety-ninth meeting of the Pacific Coast

Entomological Society was held at 2:25 p.m. on March 20, 1948,

in the entomological laboratories of the California Academy of

Sciences, San Francisco. President Michelbacher in the chair. The

following members were present: E. S. Eoss, J. W. MacSwain, E.

F. Smith, E. L. Kessel, B. B. Kessel, C. H. Spitzer, P. H. Arnaud,

C. P. Hoyt, E. L. Doutt, L. E. Gillogly, K. S. Hagen, P. D. Hurd,

Jr., K. E. Frick, W. W. Wirth, W. W. Middlekauff, P. A. Adams,

D. Bixby, J. E. Walker, C. Donald Grant, B. D. Culver, J. F. Gus-

tafson, L. M. Henry, A. E. Pritchard, W. D. Murray, D. W. Boddy,

J. P. Harville, E. A. Smith, J. W. Tilden, G. F. Ferris, E. 0. Essig,

H. B. Leech, E. C. Van Dyke, B. Walker, C. D. Duncan, E. L.

Usinger, A. E. Michelbacher, and D. D. Jensen. The following

visitors were present: S. E. Hildebrandt, V. M. Walker, H. S.

Elmer, W. L. Kaiser, Jr., A. G. Applegarth, Mrs. E. A. Smith, and

Mrs. J. W. Tilden.

The minutes of the previous meeting held February 28, 1948,

were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society unani-

mously elected Lawrence L. Lewallen and W. C. Day as members

of the Society.

Eeporting for the committee assigned to select a locality for the

April field trip, Mr. MacSwain stated that Eock City, Mt. Diablo

had been chosen as the site for the outing. The date proposed was

Sunday, April 18, 1948.

By a unanimous vote of the members present. Dr. Usinger was

authorized to serve as the official representative of the Pacific

Coast Entomological Society at the 13th International Congress

of Zoology to be held at Paris, France, July 21 to 27, 1948, and also

at the 8th International Congress of Entomology at Stockholm,

Sweden, August 9 to 14, 1948.

The chairman then called for notes, exhibits and remarks.

Dr. E. L. Kessel exhibited three live male specimens of Etyv-

pimorpha geneatis Melander (Empididae) (see Pan-Pacific Ent.

23 : 181-192) and the small white balloon each had been carrying

at the time of capture. They had been collected near Monterey

Pines at Mill Valley, California, and were kept alive in the hope

that they would still be holding the balloon at the time of the

meeting. However, each had dropped its balloon by releasing the

single, small hymenopteron or dipteron which adhered to the bal-

loon and which served E. geneatis as a handle in carrying the

balloon.

Mr. Gillogly exhibited examples of “Kodagraph” contact paper

which can be used in copying published articles. The paper is

merely placed over the page, exposed to light, and developed. The

result is a negative which can be used in making a positive print

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

or can be read from the back by holding the negative between the

reader and a light source.

Professor Ferris stated that the work which Miss Laura Henry

has been carrying out on the nervous system of the lower inverte-

brates has elucidated the question regarding the origin of the

hypopharnyx in insects. Her work on the nerves shows that the

hypopharynx belongs to the second or clypeal segment. The evi-

dence to support this conclusion is consistent all the way from the

oligochaete worms up through the Crustacea to and including the

insects.

Dr. Usinger reported that Dr. Richard Goldschmidt, of the Uni-

versity of California, has been rearing Drosophila flies which bear

extra appendages on the legs. Among the aberrant individuals pro-

duced was one with the prothoracic legs fused in such a manner

that they simulated a perfect labium showing the mentum, sub-

mentum, palpus, etc.

Dr. Ross announced that the Society’s pamphlet collection be-

came depleted when everything on hand was sent to the Philippine

Islands to help rebuild the library at Los Banos which was de-

stroyed during the war. Previously miscellaneous pamphlets which

were turned in to the Society could be purchased by members at

a low cost.

President Michelbacher introduced, as the main speaker of

the meeting, Mr. J. W. Tilden of Stanford University who spoke

on the subject, “The Insect Fauna of Baccharis pilularis.” Bac-

charis pilularis De Candolle is a dioecious fruticose composite, de-

scribed in 1836, apparent type locality San Francisco. According

to C. B. Wolf, 1935, it occurs in two subspecies: typica Wolf, the

prostrate coastal form, and consanguinea De Candolle, the taller

inland form. However, both subspecies occur together, and are

genetic segregates. As a species, pilularis is invasive, pioneering

disturbed areas, and is inclined to form “microsavannahs” in

grasslands.

Its seasonal growth is correlated with the amount of available

water in the soil, and maximum seasonal growth occurs during

the rainy season, beginning in the late fall and extending into

June. The maximum insect populations on the plants coincide with

this period of greatest growth.

The total complex of insects found to be associated with

Baccharis pilularis is 226 species. Of these, 165 species are de-

pendent to a greater or lesser extent upon the plant or upon other

species of insects that are so associated. Percentages of orders and

types of life habits were presented for the insects composing this

group of species.

Food chains and food cycles were discussed, and three were

presented in some detail. In the cycle of which Gnorimoschema

haccharisella Busck is the basic or “key” industry, it was found

that there are ten primary parasites, two secondary parasites, and

one tertiary parasite of this moth. In addition to the moth and its

JANUARY, 1949] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

parasites, ten species of other insects are associated with the gall

of haccharisella, utilizing it for food and shelter.

Other aspects of this complex of insects were discussed, includ-

ing competition, dominance, inquilines, and phenology. It was noted

also that certain species exhibit a sense of territory and at least

one species makes daily altitudinal movements. There is an inter-

action among the members of this complex, and the included mem-

bers may be regarded as constituting a community, although not

in the strictest classical sense of the word.

After a discussion of the paper, the meeting was adjourned at

4:00 p.m. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundredth Meeting

The annual field meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomological

Society was held at Mt. Diablo, Contra Costa County, California,

on April 18, 1948.

The recorded attendance was. 97 persons. The following 36

members were present: D. Raski, M. W. Allen, D. D. Jensen,

E. E. Siebert, W. W. Wirth, P. D Hurd, Jr., Deane Furman, R.

L. Usinger, Francis Leigh, H. F. Madsen, K. E. Frick, F. H.

Rindge, N. W. Hazel, D. W. Adams, J. W. MacSwain, R. G. Wind,

J. P. Harville, I. B. Tarshis, U. N. Lanham, J. W. Tilden, E. A.

Smith, J. R. Walker, M. Marquis, H. B. Leech, D. H. Bixby, P. A.

Adams, E. 0. Essig, A. E. Michelbacher, W. W. Middlekauff, W.

H. Hart, R. M. Bohart, W. C. Day, W. H. Lange, A. T. McClay,

A. E. Pritchard, and H. E. Cott. Thirty-eight adult visitors and 23

children were present as follows : Mrs. D. Laski, Mrs. M. W. Allen,

Mrs. D. P. Furman, K. Sakimura, R. D. Carter, Mrs. R. L. Usinger

and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bertram Leigh, Mr. A. Bartel, Mrs. N.

Hazel, Mrs. D. W. Adams, Mr. Eric C. Winkler, Mr. A. S. Tahon,

Mrs. A. E. Pritchard and family, Mrs. W. W. Wirth and family,

Mrs. J. P. Harville, Mrs. W. H. Hart, Mr. and Mrs. H. Zaiman,

Mrs. I. B. Tarshis, Mrs. W. W. Middlekauff and family, Mrs. K. E.

Frick, Mrs. H. F. Madsen and family, Mrs. M. Texeira, Mr. D. V.

Welsch, Mrs. J. W. Tilden, Mrs. J. R. Walker and family, Mrs.

E. A. Smith and family, Mrs. M. Marquis, Mrs A. E. Michel-

bacher, Mrs. M. Mauerhan, Mrs. H. B. Leech and family, Mr. J.

W. Quail, Mrs. D. D. Jensen and family, Mrs. R. M. Bohart, Mrs.

W. C. Day and family, Mrs. W. H, Lange and family, and Mrs.

A. T. McClay.

The spring season of 1948 was approximately two weeks later

than normal, and the weather for several weeks prior to April 18

had been cold and stormy. However, on the day of the field meeting

the sun was shining and the air was warm and relatively still at

Rock City. The members of the group enjoyed themselves by col-

lecting, hiking and visiting. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

Two Hundred and First Meeting

The two hundred and first meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomo-

logical Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on October 23, 1948, in the

entomological laboratories of the California Academy of Sciences,

San Francisco. President Michelbacher in the chair. The following

members were present: W. C. Day, E. C. Van Dyke, W. Harry

Lange, J. W. MacSwain, H, B. Leech, Herbert Blakemore, J. W.

Tilden, E. G. Wegenek, A. E, Pritchard, W. D. Murray, K. S.

Hagen, Laura M. Henry, R. W. S. Potts, L. L. Lewallen, P. H.

Arnaud, C. P. Hoyt, K, E. Frick, F. H. Rindge, W. W. Wirth,

Bernard Brookman, E. S. Ross, S. E. Hall, Jr., P. D. Hurd, Jr.,

D. B. Scott, E. G. Meyers, J. R. Walker, E. A. Smith, C. H. Spitzer,

C. D. Duncan, P. A. Adams, A. W. Larson, A. E. Michelbacher, D.

D. Jensen, B. D. Culver, and E. G. Linsley. Visitors were present

as follows: K. W. Tucker, W. K. Bauman, S. A. Sher, L. W. Quate,

Iris Wegenek, R. F. Fritz, A. H. Bartel, Wm. Hazeltine, J. M.

Watson, Claude Smith, R. L. Langston, J. E. Gillaspy, N. D.

Waters, S. E. Hall, Jr., Douglas Gould, Bernard Gardner, Mrs.

E. A. Smith, N. G. Gratz, Patricia Readnig, Sylvia R. Hildebrant,

Pauline S. Lange, Victor Stombler, J. Gordon Edwards, G. Carter,

and Andrew Browne.

The minutes of the meeting held February 28, 1948, and of the

field meeting held April 18, 1948, were read and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society unani-

mously elected the following as members of the Society: Dr.

Francis X. Williams, Phyllis Johnson, Harold S. Elmer, Stanley

H. Benedict, Samuel A. Sher, Don W. Adams, Douglas Gould, J.

Gordon Edwards, Wilfred K. Bauman, Walter E. Kelson, Larry

Quate, James E. Gillaspy, John F. Hart, R. S. Beal, Jr., Eugene

Morris, Victor Stombler, John M. Watson, Arthur Retan and

William Hazeltine.

President Michelbacher called attention to the fact that the 50th

anniversary of the Society will occur in less than two years and

that plans should be made to commemorate the occasion appro-

priately.

Dr. Linsley, a member of the Nomenclature Committee, at the

request of the president, reported the results of the meetings held

by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature at

the 13th International Congress of Zoology held at Paris, Prance,

July 21 to 27, 1948.

President Michelbacher appointed the following members to

serve as a Nominating Committee to select a slate of proposed

officers for the year 1949 to be presented at the December meet-

ing: Dr. R. F. Smith (Chairman), Dr. C. D. Duncan and Dr.

E. C. Van Dyke.

The president then called for notes, exhibits and remarks.

Mr. MacSwain exhibited a gynandromorph of Xylocopa orpir-

fix, on which the left side was male and the right side was female

JANUARY, 1949] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

all the way through the body from the anterior end to the posterior

end.

Mr. Tilden displayed a photomicrograph of the genitalia of

Caicella mysie (Dyar), a hesperiid. The picture was taken by a

special process, originated by Lester Brubaker of San Jose State

College, which shows promise of facilitating some types of ento-

mological illustration.

Mr. E. A. Smith exhibited a case of mutillid wasps {Dasymu-

tilla spp.) which had been collected near Los Banos, California,

where they were eating the bracts of Australian saltbush, Atri-

plex semihaccata R. Br.

Mr. Frick reported the following observations, made during

the past summer in California, on an unusual feeding habit of

the predaceous larvae of Chrysopa sp. At Mount Herman a

chrysopid larva was found feeding on a half-emerged larva of a

species of Dizygomyza (Agromyzidae) . The fly larva was cutting

its way out of its mine on the lower surface of a Brackin fern leaf.

At Hope Valley, Alpine County, a chrysopid larva was found

with the ends of both mandibles projecting through the lower

surface of a leaf of Lonicera conjugialis. Microscopic examination

showed the mandible holes were located on either side of an agro-

myzid mine, but no fly larva occurred at this spot. This may have

been random searching.

At the summit of Luther Pass, El Dorado County, a chrysopid

larva was found on the lower surface of a leaf feeding on a large

larva of Pegomyia sp. (Anthomyiidae) . Both mandibles pene-

trated the lower leaf surface and were imbedded in the prey. Sub-

sequent examination under a binocular microscope revealed a

shrunken larva at the feeding site. This species of Pegomyia makes

large blotch mines in Polygonum alpinum.

On Symphoricarpos albus (snowberry), on the Berkeley cam-

pus, a chrysopid larva was observed attempting to feed upon an

old puparium (Phytomyza sp. from which the adult agromyzid had

already emerged. The chrysopid larva repeatedly opened and

closed its mandibles on the puparium, each time in a different

place. Since the puparium occurred beneath the upper epidermis

of the leaf, the chrysopid larva may have found it by random

searching.

Three of the four Chrysopa larvae were subsequently reared to

the adult stage by feeding them on aphids.

The president presented Dr. W. Harry Lange, Jr., of the Uni-

versity of California, who gave an illustrated talk on “Entomo-

logical Observations in the Pacific and Malaysian Areas.” A sum-

mary of his remarks follows:

The Pacific Science Board of the National Research Council

has initiated a number of insect control projects at the request

of the navy. The primary purpose of the work is to control insects

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

or other organisms seriously damaging crops which are of greatest

economic value to the natives. One of these projects was a joint

one dealing with the life histories and controls of the Mariana

coconut beetle, Brontispa mariana Spaeth, and the giant African

snail, Achatina fulica Ferussac, The project began in October,

1947, and extended until the end of March, 1948. After a period of

one month on Saipan a search was made for parasites of the coco-

nut beetle in the Philippines, Malaya, and Java. In the Philippines

a search in the vicinity of Los Banos, Luzon, revealed no parasites

of possible value, although Plesispa reichei, an externally-feeding

hispid, and Promecotheca cumingi, a leaf miner of coconut were

found. In Malaya, headquarters were established at Kuala Lum-

pur where two entomologists are stationed, H. T. Pagden, and

R. A. W. Lever. The genus Brontispa does not occur in Malaya,

but several parasites of other externally feeding hispids were

found. An egg parasite of Plesispa nipa on nipa palm, Haeckeliana

brontispae Ferr., was found parasitizing 60 per cent of the eggs of

this beetle near Klang. A pupal parasite of Plesispa nipa was

found, Tetrastichus brontispae (Ferr.). On Wallacea palmarum

feeding on Chinese betel nut, a parasite was found emerging

through the mature larva, namely, an Achrysocharis sp. Several

other parasites were obtained from individual roarings. Of these

parasites, Haeckeliana brontispae and Testrastichus brontispae

were successfully introduced to Saipan. A trip was made to Java

to study the parasites of Brontispa longissima javana and B.

longissimva selebensis, which occur together on coconuts and cause

damage to coconuts in a similar manner to B. mariana. The Dutch

under Dr. van der Vecht successfully bred Tetrastichus brontispae

for introduction to Celebes before the war, and they cooperated

by breeding parasites for this project. About 600 parasitized

beetle pupae containing T. brontispae were successfully brought

to Saipan, and a few Haeckeliana brontispae for laboratory work.

Both parasites were found to select Brontispa mariana, although it

was difficult to rear the egg parasites and a high mortality oc-

curred. Approximately 4,000 Tetrastichus parasites were liberated

on Saipan and several hundred on Rota. About 300 Haeckeliana

egg parasites were also liberated on Saipan and a few on Rota.

According to a recent survey by Dr. Richard Doutt the pupal

parasite, Tetrastichus brontispae was found to be successfully

established in six of seven localities on Saipan and gave evidence

of having experienced some degree of natural spread. The egg par-

asite was not found, although there was evidence that it went

through one generation before disappearing.

In Malaya, Mr. T. R. Gardner collected a scoliid wasp, Scotia

patricialis var. which was introduced into the Palau Islands for con-

trol of the rhinocerus beetle. Scolia procer was reported in the

literature on Orcytes in Malaya, but this wasp was found to prob^

ably select other woodboring grubs and not Oryctes.

JANUARY, 1949] PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOCIETY

On Saipan a study was made of the life history of the giant

African snail, but time was not available for a complete study The

life history varies apparently with climatic conditions and available

food On Saipan snails are most active during the rainy season, at

which time mating and egg laying occur. The snails are catholic

in their tastes, feeding on all types of vegetation, dried leaves,

fruits, and even manure.

The snail is successfully controlled in larger areas through

the use of pelletted snail baits. Dr. F. X. Williams was sent to

Africa to secure parasites and predators and was able to find sev-

eral predacious snails, a large predacious carabid beetle, and a

fly parasite.

After a discussion of Dr. Lange’s talk the meeting was ad-

journed. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Second Meeting

The two hundred and second meeting of the Pacific Coast

Entomological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on December 18,

1948, in the entomological laboratories of the California Academy

of Sciences, San Francisco. President Michelbacher in the chair.

The following members were present: E. C. Van Dyke, C. A. Han-

son, E. G. Wegenek, F. X. Williams, H. M. Armitage, R. C. Miller,

J. W. MacSwain, E. L. Kessel, W. W. Middlekauff, E. G. Linsley,

L. W. Quate, C. H. Spitzer, Jr., J. W. Tilden, L. L. Lewallen, P.

H. Arnaud, Jr., C. D. Duncan, B. E. Rees, L. R. Gillogly, R. P.

Allen, A. W. Larson, J. Gillaspy, W. W. Wirth, Ernestine B.

Thurman, D. C. Thurman, A. E. Pritchard, D. D. Jensen, J. F.

Hart, A. E. Michelbacher, and E. E. Seibert. Visitors present were

Sylvia R. Hildebrant and G. F. Carter.

The minutes of the meeting held October 23, 1948, were read

and approved.

The membership committee proposed and the Society unani-

mously elected the following as members of the Society: Norman

G. Gratz, Roy. F. Fritz, Roberto Levi Castillo, G. F. Carter, D. C.

Thurman, Ernestine B. Thurman, John J. Roland, Omar E. Myers,

Norman D. Waters, Claude I. Smith, Rudolf H. T. Matton, Howard

Greenfield, C. F. Adams, G. F. Augustson, James Baker, H. G.

Barber, Herbert S. Barber, J. C. Bequaert, F. Martin Brown, L. R.

Cody, John F. Curry, W. M. Davidson, Heber C. Donohoe, R. R.

Dreisbach, J. W. Green, Harry A. Hill, George F. Knowlton, Frank

H. Lathrop, Borys Malkin, Don C. Mote, Herbert Osborn, Wm.

Proctor, L. P. Rockwood, Herbert Ruckes, E. Graywood Smyth,

Stanley Watkins., Raymond G. White, and Kent H. Wilson.

President Michelbacher called on Dr. Linsley who reported that

the Nomenclature Committee is in correspondence with Mr. Hem-

ming, Secretary of the International Commission on Zoological

Nomenclature regarding the proposed revision of the International

Rules.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 1

Dr. Miller gave the Treasurer’s report on the finances of the

Society. Dr. Rees reported that the auditing committee had found

the Society’s financial records in good order.

Mr. Armitage stated that the selection of Oriental fruit fly

as the common name of Dacus dorsalis Hendel, recently established

in Hawaii, was unfortunate because of the possibility of confu-

sion with the name Oriental fruit moth. He also questioned the

desirability of having official common names of insects decided

upon by a committee of ten entomologists appointed by the Ameri-

can Association of Economic Entomologists.

Dr. Linsley reviewed the history of the Committee on Common

Names and suggested that advance publication of proposed names

would give the committee the benefit of public reaction before mak-

ing the final selection of a name.

In response to the President’s call for notes, exhibits and re-

marks, Dr. Kessel stated that a loose leaf system of color identi-

fication is now available which permits relatively definite determ-

ination of any color which one may encounter.

Mr. Armitage reported on some of the insect records established

by the California Department of Agriculture during 1948. In-

cluded were notes on the walnut huskily, the navel orangeworm,

olive scale, chrysanthemum insects, and the Australian sod fly.

The sod fly was recently discovered in North America for the first

time when it was found in San Francisco by Dr. Kessel.

President Michelbacher, reporting on the state of the Society

during 1948, announced the unexpected death of one of the young-

er members, Mr. Loren Estabrook who died December 1, 1948, at

Stockton, California, during a tonsillectomy. A summary of mem-

bership in the Society during recent years revealed an increase in

membership from 119 in 1940 to 251 in 1948. The average attend-

ance per meeting during 1940 was 29 and during 1941 it was

31. During the war years of 1942-1945 attendance averaged only

17 per meeting. In 1946 and 1947 attendance averaged 47 and 43

respectively. Attendance at the first five meetings during 1948

increased to an average of 60 members and friends per meeting.

Dr. Duncan, representing the nominating committee, proposed

and the Society elected the following officers for 1949 : E. S. Ross,

President; G. F. Ferris, Vice-President; D. D. Jensen, Secretary;

R. C. Miller, Treasurer; and E. L. Kessel, Executive Board Mem-

ber at Large.

In the absence of both the president elect and vice-president

elect. President Michelbacher turned the meeting over to Dr.

Jensen. President Michelbacher was then called on to give his

retiring presidential address entitled “The Ecology of Symphyla.”

(This address will be published in full in the Pan-Pacific Ento-

mologist.) After considerable discussion of the paper, the meeting

was adjourned. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

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Vol. XXV April, 1949

Robert Snelling

«PUTE 2. Box 69€

eCUIMlCKt Cauk

No. 2

THE

Pan -Pacific Entomologist

Published by the

Pacific Coast Entomological Society

in cooperation with

The California Academy of Sciences

CONTENTS

VAN DYKE, NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA 49

VAN DYKE, NOTES ON BEMBIDION B6

NESBITT, SIX NEW MEXICAN RHIZOGLYPHINAE 57

SCULLEN, IDENTIFICATION OF CERCERIS CLYPEATA 70

QUISENBERRY, THE GENUS OXYNA IN THE NEARCTIC REGION 71

DOUTT, THE GENUS ERYTHMELUS IN CALIFORNIA 77

BOHART, A FUNGUS OUTBREAK AMONG ADULT ANDRENA 82

HOTTES, A LTTLE KNOWN WORK BY Ph. F. GMELIN 83

KROMBEIN, A NEW SUBSPECIES OF PTEROMBRUS RUFIVENTRIS 88

MacSWAIN, a method for collecting male STYLOPS 89

LANGE, NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF AGROMYZID FLIES 91

KEEN, SOME FOREST INSECTS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA 92

TILDEN, DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA AT LIGHT 94

ERRATA 96

San Francisco, California

1949

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. C. Van Dyke E. G. Linsley, R. L. Usinceb K S. Ross

Associate Editor Editors Assistant Editor

R. C. Miller, Treasurer A. E. Michelbacher, Advertising

Published quarterly in January, April, July, and October with Society Proceed-

ings appearing in the January number. Papers on the systematic and biological

phases of entomology are favored, including articles up to ten printed pages on

'insect taxonomy, morphology, life history, and distribution.

Manuscripts for publication, proof, and all editorial matters should be ad-

dressed to the editors, 112 Agricultural Hall, University of California, Berkeley 4,

California. All communications regarding non-receipt of numbers, changes of

address, requests for sample copies, and all financial communications should be

addressed to the treasurer, R. C. Miller, at the California Academy of Sciences,

dan Francisco 18, California

Domestic and foreign subscriptions, $2.50 per year in advance. Price for single

copies, 75 cents. Make checks payable to “Pan-Pacific Entomologist.”

PROCEEDINGS OF THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

FOURTH SERIES

VOLUME XXIV

Contributions Toward a Knowledge of the Insect Fauna of Lower California

1. Introductory Account, by A. E, Michelbacher and E. S. Robs. Pp. 1-20, pla. 1-3.

February, 1942 $0.27

2. Coleoptera: Cerambycidae, by E. Gorton Linsley. Pp. 21-96, pis. 4-5. Feb., 1942.... .75

3. Coleoptera: Bnprestidae, by Edwin C. Van Dyke. Pp. 97-132, pis. 6-7. Mar., 1942 .33

4. Nenroptera: Myrmeleonidae, by Nathan Banks. Pp. 133-152, pi. 8. March, 1942 20

5. Symphyla, by A. E. Michelbacher. Pp. 153-160, pi. 9. March, 1942 .15

6. Diptera : Cnlicidae, by Thomas H. G. Aitken. Pp. 161-170. June, 1942 .20

7. Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae, by Frank E. Blaisdell, Sr. Pp. 171-288, pis. 10, 11 1.50

Order from CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, SAN FRANCISCO 18, CALIFORNI4

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An illustrated magazine

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published by the

CALIFORNIA

ACADEMY OF

SCIENCES

San Francisco 18 ,

California

Entered as second class matter, February 10, 1925, at the postoffice at San

Francisco, California, under Act of August 24. 1912.

Xhe Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. XXV, No. 2

April, 1949

NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN COLEOPTERA

BY EDWIN C. VAN DYKE

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

Carabidae

Nebria intermedia Van Dyke, new species

Of moderate size and rather robust, rufopiceous, the head and

disc of pronotum piceous the antennae, legs, lateral margins of

prothorax and elytra as well as sutural intervals of elytra rufous.

Head five sixths breadth of prothorax, eyes rather prominent

though less than hemispherical, antennae long and delicate, reach-

ing at least four segments posterior to humeral angles of elytra,

the pair of light colored spots between the eyes rarely present or

if so faint. Prothorax two thirds as long as broad, less than three

fourths as broad as elytra, apex feebly biemarginate, apical angles

prominent, sides broadly, evenly arcuate in front, obliquely nar-

rowed and feebly sinuate posteriorly, the hind angles prominent

and obtuse though sharply pointed, basal margin transverse; the

disc convex with the median longitudinal and anterior and poster-

ior transverse impressions well defined, the latter punctured, and

the basal area finely rugosely punctured, the lateral margins broad

and moderately reflexed. Elytra square shouldered, parallel sided,

about three times as long as prothorax, the disc more or less flat-

tened, striae well impressed, finely and in most cases obscurely

punctured, the intervals in general quite flattened, the third with

four or sometimes five foveae close to the third stria, the humeral

angles rounded and prominent, lateral margin narrowly reflexed.

Legs long and delicate. Wings fully developed, and as long as entire

beetle. Length 10 mm., breadth 4.25 mm.

Holotype male, allotype female, Nos. 6008 and 6009 C.A.S.

Ent., and eleven paratypes collected by myself in the Logan

Pass, Glacier National Park, Montana, July 8, 1938. Besides

these I have a series of close to a hundred specimens of the same

species from various places in the northern Rocky Mountains of

Montana, Alberta and British Columbia as well as from the more

elevated areas of south central British Columbia and Mr. Bona-

parte in Okanagon County, Washington.

This species superficially looks much like Nehria labradorica

Casey and was for some time confused with it. It differs primarily

from labradorica in being more graceful, less compact, with less

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

pronounced frontal impressions, the prothorax with the sides less

broadly rounded in front, more gradually narrowed and sinuate

posteriorly, with the hind angles feehly ohtuse, not with the sides

suddenly constricted and with the hind angles definitely right

angled as is the case with most labradorica. The elytral foveae are

also in general less marked. From Nehria crassicornis Van Dyke,

of the high northern Cascades, which it also somewhat resembles,

it differs by being less robust, with the antennae longer and finer,

the head and prothorax considerably smaller especially as regards

breadth and by having the sides of prothorax not suddenly con-

stricted behind and the hind angles right angled. All three have

the same greasy, rufo-piceous appearance.

Schizo genius peninsularis Van Dyke, new species

Medium sized for the genus, narrow, sybcylindrical, piceous, the

pronotum and elytra aeneous, and the antennae and legs rufous.

Head with clypeus tridentate, front with three lateral longitudinal

sulci and a broader median sulcus narrowed in front; eyes mod-

erately prominent; antennae rather short, moniliform, reaching

to about middle of prothorax, the segments sixth to tenth trans-

verse. Prothorax convex, subquadrate, narrowed forwards, the

median, lateral and anterior transverse grooves well marked, the

lateral barely reaching middle of pronotum and slightly conver-

gent, two lateral setae, one near front angles and the second

(sometimes absent) near hind angles. Elytra convex, about three

times as long as broad, striae deeply impressed and rather closely,

coarsely punctured from base to declivity, the intervals convex, the

third, fifth, and seventh with a few fine setiferous punctures. The

anterior tibiae more or less palmate, with three outer blunt and

two inner acute teeth. Length 5 mm., breadth 1.5 mm.

Holotype, No. 6010, C.A.S. Ent., and several designated para-

types from 5 miles south of Miraflores, Lower California,

July 10, 1938, collected by Michelbacher and Ross. Besides these

in the series of twenty three are others from Triumfo, July 7,

1938, and 5 miles west of San Bartola^ July 13, 1938, likewise

colledted by Michelbacher and Ross.

This species superficially resembles several in our fauna such

as lineatus Say and litigiosus Fall but these species are in general

larger, a bit broader and flatter, with longer antennae which have

the median segments longer than broad. This species also seems

to be even more closely related to the Mexican truquii Putzeys,

but the description of this omits to mention certain characters

which would be needed to confirm the surmise.

APRIL, 1949]

VAN DYKE COLEOPTERA

Rhadine rossi Van Dyke, new species

Rather small and gracefully formed with long delicate antennae

and legs, pale rufocastaneus, unicolorous. Head about a sixth

longer than broad, somewhat elliptical in shape, the disc smooth,

with feeble lateral rugose longitudinal impressions, the mandibles

porrect and quite prominent, projecting but slightly beyond the

sides of head; the basal region short and with oblique sides;

antennae long, extending almost to middle of elytra, the third seg-

ment about one fourth longer than fourth. Prothorax cordate,

slightly longer than broad, apex feebly emarginate, with anterior

angles acutely rounded and feebly extending forwards, the sides

broadly arcuate in front, oblique and convergent from posterior

third to hind angles which are small though distinct, right angled

and elevated, base deeply emarginate, the disc convex, smooth and

shining, the median longitudinal and posterior transverse impres-

sions distinct, the sides deplanate, the lateral margin rather broad-

ly reflexed. Elytra elongate elliptical, a third longer than broad,

feebly convex, flnely striate, the striae shallowly but distinctly im-

pressed and flnely, somewhat obscurely punctured, intervals quite

flat, the third sometimes with a few vague foveae, the apices

obliquely sinuate, the sutural angles short and divergent, the sub-

Tharginal punctures numerous and distinct, and the lateral margin

rather broadly reflexed. Front tarsi with distinct median groove

above, the middle and hind with less distinct median grooves but

also with lateral grooves. Length 10 mm., breadth 4 mm.

Holotype male, allotype female, Nos. 6011 and 6012, C.A.S.

Ent., and numerous designated paratypes from a series of 97

specimens trapped in pocket gophers {Geomys) burrows near

Somerset and San Antonio, Texas, during November, 1942,

by Dr. E. S. Ross and A. J. Kirn.

This species resembles Rhadine myrmecodes Horn, but the

large series which has been studied shows that there are con-

stant differences such as being a bit broader as regards both pro-

thorax and elytra, more shining, myrmecodes being sub-opaque

and alutaceous, with the third antennal segments more uniformly

much longer than the fourth segments, the sides of prothorax

almost straight and convergent behind instead of distinctly sinu-

ate, the hind angles generally with a small everted tooth at apex,

lacking in the other, the elytra with the apical sinuosity more

abrupt and marked and the sutural spines less acute and shorter.

Its distribution is more to the east, eastern Texas, whereas myrme-

codes is from the regions to the west, generally Arizona. It might

be considered as a subspecies, but I think that until we have

more intermediate forms from intermediate territory, it is best

to keep them apart.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

Rhadine longiceps Van Dyke, new speeies

Small, narrow, with long and delicate legs and antennae, pi-

ceous, subopaque, legs and underside lighter, the palpi and anten-

nae rufous. Head fully a third longer than broad, the frontal

impressions deep and rugose, the mandibles prominent and porrect;

the eyes feebly convex; the post occipital area fully as long as the

head in front of eyes and with sides oblique and converging to

the narrow neck; antennae long, extending to the middle of elytra,

the third segment about one fourth longer than fourth. Prothorax

elliptical, almost a third longer than broad, apex feebly emarginate,

the apical angles rounded but not prominent, the sides broadly

arcuate in front, almost straight and convergent to hind angles

which are obtuse, basal margin feebly emarginate, the disc con-

vex, smooth and shining, the median longitudinal impression dis-

tinct, the posterior transverse not well defined, the sides somewhat

deplanate, the side margin broadly refiexed. Elytra elliptical, al-

most twice as long as broad, feebly convex, the striae very fine,

feebly impressed, very finely, obscurely punctured at best, the

intervals quite fiat, alutaceous, the third with several foveae close

to the third stria, the apices obliquely, gradually sinuate, the

sutural angles divergent, short and right angled, the submarginal

punctures distinct but not deeply impressed, the lateral margin

broadly refiexed. The front, middle and hind tarsi with distinct

median groove, the middle and hind also with lateral grooves.

Length 10 mm., breadth 4 mm.

Holotype female, No. 6013, C.A.S. Ent., and two paratype

females, collected by Dr. E. S. Ross, from beneath stones, 10

miles west of Alpine, Texas, November 28, 1946.

This small, narrow and dark species is quite distinct. Its

head simulates that of longicollis Benedict, a subterranean species

from the Carlsbad caverns of New Mexico, otherwise unrelated,

its prothorax is narrow and elliptical, not cordate like that of

myrmecodes Horn and its small relatives, and its elytra are also

elliptical. Its dark piceous color is also in contrast to the rufo-

castaneous color of the more or less subterranean species.

Cebrionidae

Cebrio pallidipennis Van Dyke, new species

Moderately elongate, depressed, parallel sided, head and pro-

notum, except basal margin and underside piceous; base of pro-

thorax, elytra, antennae, mouthparts and legs testaceous, and

very sparsely clothed with short and closely appressed pile. Head

rather coarsely, closely punctured with a somewhat triangular

APRIL, 1949]

VAN DYKE — COLEOPTERA

shaped pit at the center of an impression between the eyes, labrum

broadly emarginate in front, eyes prominent; antennae serrate,

reaching two segments beyond hind angles of prothorax, second

segment small and transverse, the third small and triangular, the

fourth to tenth strongly serrate. Prothorax broader than long,

apex slightly arcuate, sides feebly rounded in front, the hind

angles small, triangular and divergent, the disc convex and rather

coarsely, densely punctured. Elytra twice as long as wide, the striae

distinctly impressed and regular with the strial punctures toward

the middle coarse and regularly arranged, the odd intervale quite

convex, the even more flattened except at base, and finely, ir-

regularly punctured. Beneath finely punctured and clothed with

short fulvous pile with the prothoracic intercoxal process rather

broad. Length 11 mm., breadth 4 mm.

Holotype, No. 6014, C.A.S. Ent. and five paratypes collected

at Tuba City, Arizona, July 4 and 3, 1937, by R P. Allen and

kindly presented to the Academy. Besides the six specimens men-

tioned above there are two specimens collected at the same time

and place which are entirely testaceous except the head, otherwise

not different. I consider these merely color phases.

This species is eminently a desert species and its color indicates

it. Because of this its appearance is entirely different from that

of any other in our fauna.

Buprestidae

Acmaeodera lucia ebuma Van Dyke, new subspecies

Small, short, moderately convex and compact, aeneous except

hind angles of pronotum where there is a large yellow patch and

the elytra which are ivory colored except for a narrow sutural

line and the humeral umbone which are black, the upper surface

clothed with a moderately dense, erect pale pile. Head coarsely,

densely punctured, feebly longitudinally impressed at middle,

antennae short, hardly reaching the middle of prothorax, the seg-

ments 5-11 serrate. Pro thorax two fifths broader than long, apex

feebly biemarginate, sides rather evenly arcuate from base to

apex, the margin very fine, concealed behind when viewed from

above by sides of pronotum; the disc quite convex, coarsely, cri-

brately punctured at sides, more discretely at middle, a shallow

median longitudinal impression with a distinct puncture at the

base, and a narrow transverse impression behind the apical mar-

gin. Elytra slightly narrower at base than prothorax, about twice

as long as broad, sides very feebly sinuate in front of middle and

gradually arcuate and narrowed to blunt apex; the disc quite

convex, feebly flattened at middle, the humeral umbone distinct,

the striae distinct at sides, feeble towards suture and rather

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

coarsely regularly punctured, the intervals finely punctured and

rugose, the sides serrate near apex. Beneath rather coarsely,

densely punctured. Prosternum very feebly, broadly emarginate in

front. The last ventral segment with a small transverse lobe like

plate before apex. Length 7 mm., breadth 2.5 mm.

Holotype, No. 6015, C.A.S. Ent. and numerous designated para-

types from a series of 32 specimens collected by myself 25 miles

east of Baker, California, June 24, 1948. They were swept from

the salmon colored flowers of a species of mallow, Sphaeralcea,

probably ambigua Gray. Other specimens have been designated

as paratypes from the collection of Mr. Burdette K White, my

companion on the trip who secured an even greater number of

specimens than I did.

This subspecies is quite different in appearance from typical

lucia Fall and the large series of specimens taken in one locality

which has the elytra practically immaculate, a few specimens

only having limited markings, seem to set it apart.

Dryopidae (Elminae)

Simaonia giulianii Van Dyke, new species

Elongate, subparallel, shining, piceous, the head and pronotum

aeneous, the elytra with a light yellow humeral spot generally pro-

longed for a short distance obliquely backwards and inwards and

a yello apical vitta extending obliquely backwards and inwards

from slightly behind the middle towards the suture and apex but

not reaching the latter; the upper surface sparsely, finely pubes-

cent. Head coarsely, sparsely punctured ; antennae not quite reach-

ing hind angles of prothorax. Prothorax about one seventh broader

than long, apical lobe distinct, sides feebly arcuate posteriorly, al-

most straight and convergent forwards ; the disc convex with coarse

well spaced punctures; lateral margins narrow and distinct, the

front and hind angles prominent. Elytra not quite twice as long

as wide, sides straight in basal two thirds and feebly diverging

backwards, thence broadly rounded and oblique to apex. The disc

evenly convex, the striae hardly observable but the stria punctures

rather coarse, regularly arranged and equal in width to the inter-

vals, the intervals flat and with a few minute punctures. Beneath

more or less rufopiceous, the antennae and tarsi entirely rufous,

the prosternum coarsely punctured, anterior abdominal segments

more sparsely so and abdomen as a whole alutaceous. Length 2.25

mm., breadth .75 mm.

Holotype, No. 6016, C.A.S. Ent., and numerous designated

paratypes from a series of 88 specimens collected at Rio Nido

APRIL, 1949]

VAN DYKE COLEOPTERA

on the Russian River, Sonoma Co., California, August 8, 1948,

by D. Giuliani and kindly presented to me.

This species is rather closely related to Simsonia hrunnescens

(Fall) from Clear Lake, Lake Co., Calif. This latter is in most

cases of a uniform brown color, proportionally longer, the elytral

punctures coarser, generally as wide as intervals and more irregu-

lar, less parallel with the punctures in the adjacent rows. The

distinctive features of giulianii are the color pattern, head and pro-

notum aeneous, and elytra piceous with basal and anal markings,

sometimes united.

Erotylidae

Triplax antica LeConte

Recently Mr. Gordon Stace Smith of Preston, British Columbia,

has submitted through Mr. Hugh Leech, a series of fifty two

specimens of this long uncollected and desirable species. About

a third of the specimens are more or less typical, with a black

pronotum, piceous or dark head, and black elytra with rufous or

fulvous base and black undersides. The remainder are atypical

with the head, pronotum and base of elytra rufous and the under-

side of head and prothorax also rufous while the apical portion

of elytra and abdomen are black. This species was first collected

by Mr. George Gibbs of the Northwest Boundary Commission,

at Sinyak water depot, presumably east of Fort Colville, now in

the State of Washington, as all of the other specimens submitted

by Mr. Gibbs were from “East of Fort Colville.” Preston, British

Columbia, is only a short distance northeast of Fort Colville and

in the same biological territory.

CuRCULIONIDAE

Panscopus remotus Van Dyke, new species

Of moderate size, robust, the upper surface clothed with small,

closely applied chocolate brown scales with here and there a few

lighter colored scales as on the sides of prothorax and in a vague

arc extending backwards from the humeri, and in addition num-

erous short, recurved setae; and the undersurface likewise clothed

with scales of larger size and with the gray scales in greater num-

bers and with a few short, inclined hairs. The head broad between

the eyes, the eyes large but much flattened, the rostrum broad,

feebly grooved above and about as long as prothorax; the antennae

stout the scape reaching the eyes, the funicle with the first seg-

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

ment about twice as long as broad, the second somewhat longer,

the third barely longer than broad and the following about

as long as broad or somewhat transverse, and the club fusiform.

The prothorax as broad as long, coarsely rugose above, with a

well impressed median longitudinal sulcus and with sides broadly

rounded. The elytra twice as long as prothorax, cordiform, base

feebly emarginate, the striae well defined and with coarse, well

spaced punctures, the odd intervals convex, prominently elevated

and with an irregular double row of short recurved setae, the even

intervals flattened in front, feebly convex behind and with a single

row of recurved setae. Hind tibia practically straight. Length

9 mm., breadth 4 mm.

Holotype No. 6017, C.A.S. Ent., a unique from the Taquitz

Valley, San Jacinto Mts., Calif., June 14, 1939, collected by

Dr. E. S. Ross on lupine.

This species has the general appearance of Panscopus abruptus

and the flattened even numbered elytral intervals, especially bas-

ally, but is otherwise more like rugicollis Buchanon chiefly as

regards the short broad rostrum, the deeply impressed median

longitudinal pronto al impression, the convex elytral intervals, the

even numbered ones almost as greatly elevated as the odd num-

bered and all bearing rows of short recurved setae. It appears to

be intermediate structurally between the two species which are

also to be found much farther to the north.

NOTES ON BEMBIDION

In 1925, I described a carabid beetle as Bembidion coeru-

lescens Van Dyke. In 1928, Csiki in his catalogue substituted the

name vandykei as the first name was preoccupied in the genus.

This was unfortunate, as Dr. Blaisdell had in 1902 used the name

vandykei for another species of Bembidion. To replace both coeru-

luescens Van Dyke and vandykei Csiki, I now propose the name

umbraticola Van Dyke.

When I described Bembidion utahensis in 1925, I tentatively

placed it in the genus Lymneops and near laticeps Lee. Restudy-

ing it and with more material, I now find that it belongs in the

subgenus Amerizus of Bembidion and close to oblongus Mann.

As compared with oblongus, the eyes of utahensis are much less

prominent, the prothorax less narrowed behind, and the elytra less

broadly elliptical. — Edwin C. Van Dyke.

APRIL, 1949]

NESBITT RHIZOGLYPHINAE

SIX NEW MEXICAN MITES OF THE

SUBFAMILY RHIZOGLYPHINAE^

(Acarina)

BY H. H. J. NESBITT

Ottawa, Canada

In this paper are described six new mites that Dr. F. Bonet of

Mexico City collected from different parts of his country. Three

of these are, in the opinion of the writer, well characterized new

species; one in fact is represented by three subspecies from dif-

ferent localities. The other two are considered subspecies of al-

ready described species rather than new species because, the char-

acters which distinguish them and which may be used to separate

them from the latter are much less distinct and noticeable than are

usually to be found between closely related species in this genus

(Caloglyphus) . Subsequent collecting and additional work, how-

ever, may show that some or all of the mites herein given the

rank of subspecies are in reality either true but feebly character-

ized species, or geographical races of widely distributed forms.

Some explanation should be offered for the method used in

arriving at the measurements given for the different parts of the

body. The figure for the length of the body proper does not in-

clude the chelicerae but rather is taken from the anterior margin

of the propodosoma (just anterad of the rostral setae) to the

posterior margin of the opisthosoma. Similarly the figures given

for the leg and tarsus do not include the claw but instead are

taken from the distal end of the supporting rami of the claw to

either the coxal border of the trochanter in the case of the leg or

the proximal border of the tarsus when this last member is being

measured. In deriving the formula for the dorsal chaetotaxy, seta

4c^ is taken as the basal measurement because it varies very little

in relative length from species to species, and the lengths of

the other setae are compared either directly or indirectly to

it. In the formula, setae 5 and 7 are hypothetically straightened

out (if not in this position on the specimen) so that their

’Contribution No. 2542 Division of Entomology, Science Service, Department

of Agriculture, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

*For a reference to the names of the setae, see Nesbitt, 1946.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

length can also be expressed as a fraction of the distance be-

tween their base and that of the next seta (5 to 7, and 7 to 9) .

Thus the tip of seta 5 either fails to reach, approximates or passes

the base of seta 7 and the same can be said of seta 7 in relation

to the base of seta 9. As an example — ^in the description of Calo-

glyphus longipilus n. sp. (vide infra), the tip of seta 5 is said

to pass the base of seta 7 for better than one-half of its own

length. This means that seta 5 is greater in length by one -half

than the distance between its base and that of seta 7. In the female

the distances between setae 5 and 7, and 7 and 9, may be altered

as the opisthosoma is free of eggs, partly filled or greatly dis-

tended. Whenever possible, the measurements are given for fe-

males in the early stags of egg laying, i. e., before the opisthosoma

becomes abnormally distended.

Caloglyphus longipilus Nesbitt, new species

Figs. 3, 5, 8, and 9.

Description: The males of this species are roughly ovoid in

shape with the small end directed posteriorly. Exclusive of the

chelicerae they average .6 mm. in length and .3 mm. in width. The

non^avid but mature females are slightly larger, generally more

globular and measure .75 by .40 mm.

The dorsum bears the usual propodosomatic escutcheon, which,

in this species is weakly sclerotized and bears posteriorly a slight

notch. The pseudostigmatic organ is setiform and almost equal in

length to seta 4c. The nuchal bristle is readily visible and as the

end is rough or very faintly pectinated, it resembles an artist’s

worn-out paint brush. The dorsal setae are arranged in the pattern

typical of the members of this genus. For simplicity of description,

the relative lengths of the setae may be expressed as fractions of

one of the fixed setae. Thus the chaetotactic pattern of the male

is as follows: seta 3a = 2.6 x 4c; 5= 5 x 4c; 7 = 6.5 (to 7) x 4c,

or 1.5 X 5; 8 = 7; 9 = 1.1 x 7 or 60% of the lengtfli of the body;

14 = 1.2 x 7. The tip of seta No. 5 passes the base of 7 for* better

than one-half of its own length. The tip of 7 passes the base of 9

for slightly better than one-third of its own length. On the ventral

surface seta 11 = .7 x 4c and 13 = 4 x 11 (vide fig. 9).

The chaetotactic pattern of the female may be expressed as fol-

lows: seta 3a = 2 X 4c; 5 = 3 x 4c; 7 = 5 x 4c or 1.6 x 5;

8=7; 9 = 7 or 30% of the length of the body; 14 = 1.1 x 7. The

tip of seta No. 5 just reaches the base of No. 7. The tip of seta 7

passes the base of No. 9 for one-fifth of its length. The anal setal

pattern is shown in Fig. 3.

The legs of this species are, in relation to those found on kin-

dred forms, and in relation to the size of the body, quite long and

APRIL, 1949 ]

NESBITT RHIZOGLYPHINAE

thin. The anterior legs in the two sexes are approximately equal

in length but, because of the differences in shape and size of the

body, those of the male appear and are proportionately longer

equalling approximately one-half of the length of the body whereas

in the female they are only about one-third. The anterior tarsi in

the male are equal in length to the two preceding segments whilst

in the female thy are just slightly shorter. The femora of legs I

and II of both sexes bear a long seta which is equal in length to

the distance between its base and the base of the macrosense seta

of the tarsus. The sensory setiae at the base of the tarsus I are

shown in Fig. 8. The posterior legs in both sexes are equal to ap-

proximately one-half of the length of the body (in some females

they are slightly shorter) and their tarsi are slightly longer than

the combined length of the two preceding segments. Tarsus III

of the male bears laterally one decided spine and a second struc-

ture which is more setiform than spiniform.® The suckers on tarsus

IV of the male are located in the distal half of the segment and the

proximal sucker is on much the same level as the proximal spine.

Distally all the tarsi bear falcate setae. There are three such setae

on each of tarsi I and II, two on tarsus III, and one on tarsus IV

of the male and possibly two on tarsus IV of the female. The

paddles on seta 5 of tarsi I and II and those on the terminal setae

of tarsi III and IV are frequently so narrow that they can only

be seen with difficulty.

The penis (vide Fig. 5) in this species is short and blunt and

its tip curves ventrally. The supporting rami enclose an equilateral

triangle.

Notes: The species described above resembled Oudeman’s Calo-

glyphus hrasiliensis* in many major details but differs in several

small but important characteristics. When these differences

coupled with the totally different types of habits, para rubber

(source unknown) and rotting wheat (from Bismark, Germany)

as opposed to bat guano (from Mexican caves), are taken into

consideration, I believe the establishment of a new species is

warranted.

’In some species, e.g. C. anomalus Nes., this seta is definitely setiform and

found in the distal feminine position; in others such as C. berlesei (Mich.), it is

beside the fixed lateral seta and assumes the spiniform shape. The species under

consideration is similar to C. terminalis (Banks) in that this seta is intermediate

in form.

’As the original description of C. brasiliensis Oudemans (1924, Ent. Ber. 6

(140) : 318) is not sufficiently detailed to be used in comparative work, I have

based my knowledge of this species on 1) a study of two of Oudeman’s slides

labelled “Caloglyphus brasiliensis Oudms. 1924 $ dors. vent, in Sauerfutter Bis-

mark (Sachsen) 10.10.1926 Dr. F. Zacher 3639” and ditto, “cT dors. vent. 3639.”

2) A study of Oudeman’s drawings of this species. Nos. 1274-1278 inclusive.

Both the slides and the drawings are now deposited in the Rijksmuseum van Na-

tuurlijke Historie, Leiden, and it was through the kind offices of Prof. H-

Boschma of the University of Leiden to whom I offer my grateful thanks, that I

was able to see them.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

This species may be differentiated from hrasiliensis by the fol-

lowing characteristics. 1) The cleft in the propodosomatic es-

cutcheon in the latter species extends anteriorly for almost one-

half the length of the plate — ^in the new form it is not much more

than a mild indenture. 2) In Ou demans’ species, seta 9 in the fe-

male is truncate as it is in berlesei whereas in the new species, this

seta is as long as any of the posterior setae (12 or 14). 3) In

the male of hrasiliensis, the supporting rami of the penis are

heavily shouldered and the two median setae of tarsus III

are spiniform; in longipilus the rami are without shoulders with

the result that the whole genital structure resembles an equilateral

triangle and tarsus III has one spiniform and one setiform seta.

The females of this species may be separated readily from those

of C. terminalis and C. berlesei, the two other closely related

forms, on the basis of the length of certain of the setae. In the new

form, setae 5 and 7 are relatively longer than in either of the

aforementioned species. In them, the tip of seta 5 misses the base

of 7 for a distance approximately equal to its own length and seta

7 either misses the base of 9 for a distance equal to one-fifth of

its own length or just approximates it. In the new species, on the

other hand, the tip of 5 reaches as far as the base of 7 and the tip

of 7 exceeds the base of 9 for a distance equal to one-fifth of its

own length. Furthermore, in C. berlesei and frequently in C. tar-

salis, seta 9 is short and truncate whilst in the species under dis-

cussion it is long and whip-like. Certain of the ventral setae such

as the inner para-anals are shorter in this species than they are in

either C. terminalis or C. berlesei. In addition to this, seta 3 of

the inner row is definitely behind seta 3 of the outer row whereas

in the other mentioned species, these two setae are on much the

same level.

The males may be readily separated from those of berlesei and

tarsalis on the shape of the penis and the relatively greater length

of the dorsal setae. In both berlesei and tarsalis the penis is

straight, long, and tapering whereas in the species under discus-

sion it is short, blunt, and bent ventrally.

Type Habitat: Bat guano. Caves, Mexico.

Holotype: $ , Cueva de Juxtlahuaca, Guerrero, January 16,

1941. (Dr. F. Bonet), No. 5764 in the Canadian National Col-

lection, Ottawa. Allotype: 2, same date. Paratypes: In the Can-

adian National Collection: 1^, 12, Cueva de Jaxtlahuaca, Guer-

rero, 16-1-41 (F. Bonet). In the Upited States National Museum,

APRIL, 1949]

NESBITT RHIZOGLYPHINAE

Washington: 3^^, 3??, Gruta del Carrizae. Nuevo Leon,

16-6-42 (F. Bonet) . In the Collection of Dr. F. Bonet, Mexico

City, Mexico: 3 2 9, Gruta del Carrizae, Nuevo Leon, 16-6-42

(F. Bonet) (note slide also includes a of another species) ;

1^ and 12 (2 slides) 7 2 2, Cueva de Juxtlahuaca, Guerreo,

16-1-41 (F. Bonet).

Caloglyphus paranomalus Nesbitt, new species

Fig. 2

Description: The males of this species are ovoid in shape with

the small end directed anteriorly. Exclusive of the chelicerae they

measure .59 mm. in length and .36 mm. in width. The mature but

non-gravid females are still more globular in shape measuring .76

mm. in length by .43 mm. in width. In gravid females the opistho-

soma frequently becomes so distended with eggs that the posterior

margin bulges out on either side of the opening to the bursa copu-

latrix giving the body a characteristic shape which is reminiscent

of an inverted but conventional heart.

The dorsum bears a weakly sclerotized propodosomatic escutch-

eon which is difficult to see; a sniall peg-like pseudostigmatic

organ; and the usual setae which are arranged in the following

chaetotactic pattern in the male; seta 3a = 1.5 x 4c; 5 = 1.5 x 4c;

7 = 5x4cor4x5; 8 = .9x7; 9 = 7 or 30% of the length of the

body; 14 = 7. The tip of seta 5 misses the base of 7 for a distance

slightly greater than its own length. The tip of 7 just reaches the

base of 9.

The chaetotactic pattern of the female may be expressed as

follows: seta 3a = 1.5 x 4c; 5 = 2 x 4c; 7 = 8 x 4c or 3.5 x 5;

8 = .8 X 7; 9 = .8 X 7 or 28% of the length of the body; 14 =

.9 X 7. The tip of seta 5 misses the base of 7 for a distance equal to

its own length. The tap of 7 just reaches the base of 9.

The legs of this species are of moderate length for a caloglyphid.

In the male they are equal to almost one-third of the length of the

body; the anterior and posterior pairs are of approximately equal

length with this exception that the fourth pair are about one-

seventh longer than the others; and the tarsi of all are just slightly

shorter than the combined, length of the two preceding joints. In

the female the legs bear the same relationship to each other and

to the length of body; their anterior tarsi are equal in length to,

and the posterior longer than, the combined length of the two

preceding segments. The macrosense seta of tarsus I in both sexes

is mildly clavate and equal to five-sixths of the width of the tarsus

at its narrowest part; the other two sensory setae at the base of

this joint are respectively slightly longer and about one-half as

long as the macrosense seta. Tarsus III of the male bears only one

lateral spine and three terminal setae. The suckers on tarsus IV

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

of the same sex are in the distal half of the segment, the proximal

sucker, however, is more proximal in position than in the closely

related C. anomalus Nesbitt.

The penis is short, truncate and heavily sclerotized. Its tip is

spoutnlike, open on the dorsal surface and bent ventrally. The

supporting rami are also heavily sclerotized.

No hypopi or heteromorphic males have been seen.

Notes: This mite was found in considerable numbers in two

different samples of bat guano from Mexico. It closely resembles

C. anomalus Nesbitt® in all major respects but differs from it in

such details as size, the relative proportions of certain of the dor-

sal setae and habitat preference, e. g., in C. anomalus the males

measure .84 to .94 mm. in length; the females .84 to .98 mm; the

integument is heavy, the legs are brown and the propodosomatic

escutcheon and areas about the coxae are sclerotized. In the new

species, on the contrary, the body is smaller (vide supra), the

integument is light, like the legs whitish in colour, and the pro-

podosomatic escutcheon can only be seen with diflSculty. The ar-

ticulation areas about the coxae are not visibly sclerotized. Other

differences pertain to the length of certain of the dorsal setae. In

anomalus the tip of seta 7 misses the base of 9 for a distance al-

most equal to its own length and seta 9 is equal to 20% of the

length of the body in both sexes. In the new species the tip of 7

just reaches the base of 9 and this latter seta is equal to 30% of

the length of the body. Furthermore, the eggs in the new species

are relatively larger being equal to 22% of the body length

whereas in the former species, they are equal to 14% of this

length.

•Vide Can. Ent. 76(2): 21-24, 1944.

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

1. Tarsus IV $ — Rhizoglyphus mexicanus mexicanus Nesbitt.

2. Anue and Penis, Caloglyphus paranomalus Nesbitt. 3. Anus 9,

Caloglyphus longipilus Nesbitt. 4. Anus $ , Rhizoglyphus mexicanus

mexicanus Nesbitt. 5. Penis, Caloglyphus longipilus Nesbitt (dorsal

right side, ventral left) . 6. Anus 9 , Rhizoglyphus mexicanus major

Nesbitt (bursa copulatrix and apparatus dotted in). 7. Postanal

area S , Rhizoglyphus mexicanus mexicanus Nesbitt. 8. Basal setae

Tarsus I, Caloglyphus longipilus Nesbitt. 9. Postanal area $ , Caio-

glyphus longipilus Nesbitt.

APRIL, 1949]

NESBITT RHIZOGLYPHINAE

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

Such differences in themselves may not be great enough to

warrant the erection of a new species but as fairly large popu-

lations of both have been found, and as there is no evidence of

intergradation in the characters mentioned, I believe that we are

j ustified in following such a course especially when the differences

in habitat, rotting lillies as opposed to bat guano, are taken into

consideration. A close comparison of these two species suggests

that they were derived from a common ancestor which underwent

a mutation resulting in the loss of the anal copulatory suckers.

The break-away from the true Caloglyphid stalk must have been

at a rather recent date because all the other Caloglyphid features

are present and, unlike certain non-acarids (non-tyroglyphids)

who have lost all trace of the copulatory suckers, or who never

had them, these two forms have retained the three pairs of setae

which are normally located on or behind the suckers as well as

the minute pore from the centre of the sucker (vide fig. 2 which

may be compared with fig. 7 or 9) . To draw attention to the close

relationship which evidently exists between this species and ano-

malus, it has been given the specific name paranomalus.

Type Habitat: Bat guano. Caves, Mexico.

Holotype: CuEVA de las Caleras. C. Hidalgo, May 7,

1941. (Dr. F. Bonet) ; No. 5765 in the Canadian National Collec-

tion, Ottawa. Allotype: 2, same data. Paratypes: In the Canadian

National Collection: 22 2 allotype slide; 1 immature S, Gruta

de Atoyac, Atoyac, Ver. Mexico, 30-5-41, (F. Bonet) ; 1^ , 2 im-

mature $ S , Gruta del Carrizal, Nuevo Leon, 16-7-42, (F. Bonet) .

In the United States National Museum, Washington: 2$ $, 12,

Cueva de las Caleras, C. Hidalgo, 7-5-41 (F. Bonet). In the col-

lection of Dr. F. Bonet, Mexico City, Mexico \ 2$ $ , \ immature $ ,

3 2 2, Cueva de las Caleras, C. Hidalgo, 7-5-41 (F. Bonet) ; 1 im-

mature S , Gruta de Atoyac, Atoyac, Ver. Mexico, 30-5-41 (F.

Bonet) ; 1 ^ , 2 immature $ $ , Gruta del Carrizal, Nuevo Leon,

16-7-42 (F. Bonet) .

In addition to the types and partypes listed above the descrip-

tion of this species is based on some thirty other specimens,

(from the same habitats) which are not listed because they are

either imperfect specimens or on slides with other closely related

species.

Caloglyphus armipes longisetosus Nesbitt, new subspecies

APRIL, 1949]

NESBITT RHIZOGLYPHINAE

Description: Exclusive of the chelicerae, the males of this

species measure from .53 to .6 mm. in length, the females .66 to .78

mm and the heteromorphic males .55 to .60 mm. The propodoso-

matic escutcheon, the lateral flanks of the propodosoma and the

areas about the articulation of the first two pairs of coxae are

weakly sclerotized. The pseudostigmatic organ is a tiny peg remi-

niscent of that found in C. spinitarsus (Herm.). The nucal bristle

is bifurcate at the tip and relatively inconspicuous. The chaeto-

tactic pattern of the dorsal setae of the male may be expressed as

follows: seta 3a = 1.1 x 4c; 5 = 5.5 x 4e; 7 = 7 x 4c or 1.2 x 5;

8 = .7 X 7; 9 = 1.2 x 7 or 68% of the length of the body; 14 =

1.4 X 7. The tip of seta 5 passes the base of 7 for approximately

two-thirds of its own length. The tip of 7 passes the base of 9

for almost 40% of its own length. The chaetotactic pattern of the

heteromorphic male is as follows: set 3a® = 1.1 x 4c; 5 = 3.8 x 4c;

7 = 4.4 X 4c or 1.1 X 5; 8 = .7 x 7; 9 = 1.1 x 7 or 80% of the

length of the bodj?’; 14 = 1.3 x 7. The tip of seta 5 passes the base

of 7 for 75% of its own length. The tip of 7 passes the base of 9

for 60% of its own length.

The chaetotactic pattern of the female is as follows: seta

3a = 1.1 X 4c; 5 = 2.8 x 4c; 7 = 4.8 x 4c or 1.7 x 5; 8 = 7;

9 = 7 or 25% of the length of the body; 14 = 1.2 x 7. The tip of

5 just reaches the base of 7. The tip of 7 just reaches the base of 9.

(In gravid 9 9 , the tip of 7 misses the base of 9 for a distance

which is dependent on the number of eggs in the particular female

being investigated). The anus in the 9 is flanked by two rows of

setae on each side, those of the outer row are as long as seta 4c;

those of the inner row are only about one-fifth as long.

The legs of this species are relatively long. The two anterior

pairs are equal to 30% of the length of the body in the 9 ,

47% in the normal male and 60% in the heteromorphic male. The

posterior pair are equal to 37% in the 9, and 64% in the normal

male. In the hetehomorphic male, the third leg is short whilst the

fourth is equal to 77% of the length of the body. In the three forms

(normal and heteromorphic, males and females) the anterior tarsi

are equal in length to the two preceding joints whilst the posterior

tarsi are longer than the combined length of genu and tibia.

Notes: These specimens resemble Caloglyphus armipes Banks

very closely but differ in such details as size, the relative propor-

tions of certain setae, and the type habitat in which they are

found. Since, as was mentioned in the introduction, such dif-

ferences are not as great as usually are found between well estab-

lished species in this genus I am of the opinion that the new form,

to which the name longisetosus has been given is either a feebly

*Seta 4c is a different length in the three forms. It is shortest in the $,

longer in the normal cf. and longest in the heteromorphic cf. This relationship

may be expressed by stating that seta 4c is 1 unit long in the 9, 1.5 units long

in the cT. and 2.6 units long in the heteromorphic cf.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

characterized species or a subspecies of Caloglyphus armipes. Un-

til more is known about this mite, I believe that we are justified

in following the latter course. In time it may prove to be a geo-

graphical race of Caloglyphus armipes.

The representatives of this variety are 40% smaller than typi-

cal C. armipes. In the males the terminal portion of seta 7 ex-

tends well beyond the posterior margin of the opisthosoma where-

as in the latter mentioned form, this seta just passes the margin

of the body. In the female setae 5 and 7 extend respectively as far

as the bases of 7 and 9. In armipes s. str., on the other hand, these

setae miss the bases of 7 and 9 for distances almost as great as

their own length. (The reader’s attention is drawn to the fact

that these proportions may be altered as fewer or more eggs are

contained in the opisthosoma) . In the latter, the macrosense, para-^

subbasal, and subbasal setae are all within a third to a half of

being the same length; in the variety longisetosus, the parasub-

basal seta is one-third to one-half longer than the macrosense seta

and better than twice as long as the parasubbasal seta which in

turn is only about three-quarters of the length of the macrosense

seta. Finally, the type specimens of C. armipes were taken from

a dead corn pyralid. Other specimens have been taken from var-

ious types of rotting organic debris and the hypopial stage has

frequently been found on the adults of Phyllophaga species whilst

the new variety, on the contrary, has only been found on bat

guano.

Type Habitat: Bat guano, Cueva de las Caleras, C., Hidalgo,

Michoacan, Mexico.

Holotype: Cueva de las Caleras, C., Hidalgo, Mich-

oacan, May 7, 1941. (F. Bonet) ; No. 5766 in the Canadian Na-

tional Collection, Ottawa. Morphotype: Heteromorphic same

data. Allotype: $, same data. Paratypes: S, 32 2 Canadian

Collection, Ottawa, same data. 15, 42 2 United States National

Museum, same data. 5 5 5,32 2, collection of Dr. F. Bonet, Mex-

ico City, same data. Twelve additional specimens, not listed as

paratypes for the reasons given above were used in compiling this

description.

Rhizoglyphus mexicanus Nesbitt, new species

Figs. 1, 4, 7.

This species was taken from widely separated localities and

is represented in the Mexican fauna by three subspecies. Morpho-

APRIL, 1949]

NESBITT RHIZOGLYPHINAE

logically these are almost identical and can only be separated by

such characters in the female as a) the length of the postanal

setae; b) the degree of sclerotization of the propodosomatic es-

cutcheon and the areas about the anterior coxae; c) the relative

proportions of the legs; and d) the over-all size of the animal.

Apart from the degree of sclerotization which is valuable, the

males cannot readily be separated. In taxonomic position this

mite stands close to Rhizoglyphus columhianus Oud. from which

it differs in the nature of the psuedostigmatic organ. In the last

named species this organ is a tiny peg ; in the new species and

its varieties, it is a very slightly pectinated setiform structure.

Furthermore, the complete lack of inner propodosomatic setae

(except in 2 specimens whert they are extremely minute) and

especially the peculiar arrangement of the post-anal setae in the

male (vide fig. 7) separate this species from all other representa-

tives of the genus Rhizoglyphus known to the writer.

Rhizoglyphus mexicanus mexicanus Nesbitt, new subspecies

Disregarding the anteriorly projecting conical chelicerae the

body of this mite is roughly globular in shape. The males average

.455 mm. in length (the figure does not include the gnathosoma)

and .304 mm in width; the females .523 by .341 (vide Table I for

a comparison of the three varieties) .

The propodosoma bears the usual dorsal shield which in the

case of this variety is weakly sclerotized and has an undulating

posterior margin. The pseudostigmatic organ is setiform and al-

most as long as seta 4c. The nuchal bristle is slightly bifurcate and

curved in such a manner that it hooks under the gnathosoma. The

dorsal chaetotactic pattern of the male is as follows: seta 3a is

absent; 5 = 2.3 x 4c; 7 = 3.3 x 4c or 1.5 x 5; 8 = 1.1 x 7;

9 = 1.5 X 7 or 32% of the length of the body; 14 = 1.6 x 7. The

tip of seta 5 misses the base of 7 for a distance equal to approxi-

mately one-half of its own length. The tip of 7 misses the base of

9 for a distance equal to almost one-half of its own length. On

the ventral surface, seta 11 is one-half as long as 4c and seta 13 is

still shorter (vide fig. 7).

The dorsal chaetotactic pattern of the ? may be expressed as

follows : seta 3a is missing in all but two specimens where it is only

.3 microns long; seta 5 = 2.1 x 4c, 7 = 3.3 x 4c or 1.6 x 5; 8 = 7;

9 = 1.4 X 7 ; 14 = 1.4 x 7. The tip of 5 misses the base of 7 for a

distance equal to two-thirds of its own length. The tip of set 7

misses the base of 9 for a distance slightly greater than one-

quarter of its own length. On the ventral surface seta 11 is very

short whilst 13 is slightly longer than 4c. Only the anterior two

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. ^

pairs of anal setae are visible; the posterior have disappeared

completely (vide fig. 4), (i. e., no setae pits can be found).

As can be seen from Table I, the legs are of approximately the

same length in the two sexes but when compared with the length

of the body, those of the male are on the whole about 4% longer

than the corresponding members in the female. Tarsi I, II, and IV

of the female and II and III of the male are approximately equal

in length to, or just shorter than the combined length of the two

preceding joints. Tarsus III in the female is greater and tarsi

I and IV of the male are less than this length. Tarsus I of the

female is about twice as long as it is wide ; in the male it is slightly

less.

The penis is straight, mildly sclerotized and truncate anteriorly.

It is enclosed in and supported by two rami which together with it

form an equilateral triangle. The complete ring of chitin which

is usually to be found in the centre of the copulatory suckers of

most rhizoglyphid and caloglyphid mites is here replaced by a

rosette of chitin (vide fig. 7), which is smaller but similar to that

on Rhizoglyphus columbianus Oud. Furthermore, the usual slender

seta in the antero-lateral corner of the sucker is replaced in this

species by a minute spine.

Type Habitat: Leaf mould, Mexico.

Holotype: 2, Apatzingan, Michoacan, April 2, 1943, (Col.

M. Cardenas et M. Correa — submitted Dr. F. Bonet) ; No. 5767 in

the Canadian National Collection, Ottawa. Allotype: S , same data.

Paratypes: In the Canadian National Collection; 1^ holotype

slide, 1 2 (immature) allotype slide. In the United States Na-

tional Museum 32 2 (2 gravid) 1 of same data. In the collec-

tion of Dr. F. Bonet, Mexico City, Mexico. 42 2 (2 gravid) 1 ,

same data. 12, Potrero Grande, Co Jan. 15, 1943, (F. Bonet).

Rhizoglyphus mexicanus major Nesbitt, new subspecies

Fig. 6.

The general description given above for mexicanus is applicable

to this subspecies with the following exceptions, a) The subspecies

major is about 10% larger on the average; b) the dorsal proporo-

somatic shield and the lateral flanks, immediately dorsad of and

adjacent to the articulation areas about two anterior coxae are

sufficiently sclerotized to appear brownish in cleared specimens,

c) Similar sclerotized areas may be seen on the ventral surface of

the body above the epimerae. In the subspecies mexicanus the

propodosomatic shield is so mildly sclerotized that it is only yel-

lowish in cleared specimens and the para-articulation areas of

the anterior coxae and the integument above the epimerae are not

APRIL, 1949]

NESBITT — RHIZOGLYPHINAE

aclerotized. d) the leg’s of major are, on the average, slightly long-

er, more heavily built and densely pigmented, e) In m-exicanus

(vide fig. 4), seta 13 extends well beyond the end of the opistho-

soma and the two posterior anal setae are missing. In major (vide

6), on the other hand, the tip of seta 13 just reaches the posterior

margin of the opisthosoma and one of the anal setae is present.

Type Habitat: Leaf mould, Mexico.

Holotype: 2, Papaloapan, Oaxaca, February 12, 1940, (Col.

F. Bonet) deposited in the collection of Dr. F. Bonet, Mexico

City, Mexico. Allotype: S, same data. No. 5768 in the Canadian

TAETJH I ^ Slowing the Proportions Found in the Three Sabspeeles

of Fhizoglyphus mexicanus Nf3sbitt» n.sp.

mexicanus

mexicanus $ ?

major $ 5

minor $ $

Average

Lon - High

Average

Low - High

Average

Law — High

Average

Low — High

IfUgth

455

391 - 536

523

464 - 580

613

609 - 696

473

464 - 478

Widti

304

261 - 362

341

290 - 377

416

406 - 478

319

290 - 362

Leg I

155

138 - 174

157

145 - 174

163

158 - 1^

130

116 - 159

157

145 - 131

160

145 - 174

171

157 - 185

130

116 - 152

III

145

130 - 174

139

130 - 145

143

130 - 159

109

87-130

153

145 - 188

157

138 - 181

165

160-190

120

101 - 153

Seta, 4c

23-33

33-09

33 - 49

23-29

43-76

49 - 76

50-80

33-39

83 - 109

107

92 - 115

108

99 - 125

73-82

104

86 - 122

103

99 - 105

113

99 - 132

73-86

14S

139 - 172

140

132 - 148

14.3

132 - 158

89 - 115

151

139 - 181

147

135 - 165

I 145

1 132-153

103

99 - 125.

National Collection, Ottawa. Paratypes: In the Canadian National

Collection; 1 $ on allotype slide; 19 from rotten herbs, Fortin,

Ver., Mexico, Jan. 16, 1940 (Col. F. Bonet). In the United States

National Museum: 19 from rhizomes (host plant not stated),

Mexico, D. F., Mexico, July 28-30, 1939, (Col. F. Bonet). In the

Collection of Dr. F. Bonet, Mexico City, Mexico. 2 9 9 holotype

slide; 19 from rhizomes, Mexico, D. F., Mexico, July 28-30,

1939 (Col. F. Bonet).

Rhizoglyphus mexicanus minor Nesbitt, new subspecies

This subspecies is noticeably smaller than either of the above

two mentioned forms; the legs are proportionately shorter, more

heavily sclerotized and on most of the specimens more deeply pig-

mented. Its close affinity with the subspecies major is established

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

by a) the possession of the “major” type of post-anal chaetotactic

pattern in the female, and. b) the presence of sclerotized areas

above the coxae and a well sclerotized propodosomatic escutcheon.

Type Habitat: Leaf mould, Mexico.

Holotype: 5, Orizaba, Veracruz, January 14, 1942. (Col.

F. Bonet) ; deposited in the Collection of Dr. F. Bonet, Mexico

City, Mexico. Allotype: S, same data No. 5769 in the Canadian

National Collection, Ottawa. Paratypes: In the Canadian National

Collection, 1 $ allotype slide. In the Collection of Dr. F. Bonet,

Mexico City, Mexico, 1 9 holotype slide, 12, 2S S same data

(Bonet) .

References

OUDEMANS, A. C.

1924. Acarologische Aanteekeningen, LXXVI, Entom. Berichten

6(140): 318.

Nesbitt, H. H. J.

1944. Three new mites of the Subfamily Rhizoglyphinae. Can.

Ent. 76(2) : 21-27.

1945. A revision of the family Acaridae (Tyroglyphidae) , Order

Acari, based on Comparative Morphological Studies. Can. Jour.

Res. D., 23: 139-188.

IDENTIFICATION OF CERCERIS CLYPEATA DAHLBOM

The correct identification of this species was reported as be-

ing in doubt by the author in 1942 (Pan-Pacific Ent. 18:189) due

to his inability to get material compared with the type at Lund,

Sweden. This situation has now been clarified through the kind-

ness of Dr. Kjell Ander of the Universitetets Zoologiska Institution

who has been kind enough to compare specimens with the type.

In a letter under date of Nov. 12, 1948, Dr. Ander states: “The

result of my examination is that clypeata Dahlbom sensu Dahl-

bom is=clypeata Dahlbom auct. amer.*’ — H. A. ScULLEN, Oregon

State College.

APRIL, 1949]

QUISENBERRY — :OXYNA

THE GENUS OXYNA IN THE NEARCTIC REGION

NORTH OF MEXICO

(Diptera: Tephritidae)

BY BENSON F. QUISENBERRY

Oklahoma A. and M. College, Stillwater

The genus Oxyna R.-D. has not previously been recorded from

the Nearctic region though evidence has shown that Marston Bates

had associated with this genus one of the species included hereind

The recent opportunity of the writer to examine two Palaearctic

species of Oxyna,^ one of which was the genotype, has prompted

this paper in which two previously described species and one de-

scribed as new to science are assigned to this genus.

Oxyna Robineau-Desvoidy

Oxyna Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830, Mem. Acad. Sci. Inst., France

2: 755.

Generic characters — Head (Fig. 1, A) : Higher than long,

wider than high, width of front across median ocellus slightly

wider than maximum width of eye and slightly more than half

maximum head width; cheeks broad, over half maximum eye

height. Frontale bare. Antennae rather short, not extending to

anterior oral margin. Frons flattened or sometimes slightly elevated

along median longitudinal area. Face rather long, being as long

as or slightly longer than frons, with well developed antennal

fovae. Oral opening large, straight on lateral margins, curved

upward abruptly at anterior margin, projecting forward. Palpi

very broad and long, projecting conspicuously beyond anterior

oral margin. Proboscis very slender and elongate, the labella as

long as or slightly shorter than maximum head length and much

longer than maximum length of oral opening. One pair lower

f rontoorbitals ; two pair upper frontoorbitals, the posterior pair

weak, pale; one pair strong ocellars; one pair strong inner verti-

cals; one pair pale, weak outer verticals which are about the length

of postverticals and but little longer than the post-ocular cilia; one

pair pale postverticals; postocular cilia moderately stout, pale, in-

terspersed with fine, dark setae; genal well developed, pale.

^Specimens received from the American Museum of Natmal History and here

described as utahensis n. sp. bore Bates determination label, “Oxyna aterrima

Doane.”

*Dr. E. M. Hering kindly presented the author with specimens of twO' species

of Oxyna, flavipennis (Loew), and nebuloaa (Wied.).

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

Thorax: Three pairs dorsocentrals, one pair anterior to trans-

verse suture and about in a transverse line with the presuturals,

the second pair well behind suture but ahead of a transverse line

through supraalars, posterior pair about midway between supra-

alars and intraalars; one pair presuturals; one pair humerals; one

pair supraalars; one pair postalars; one pair intraalars; two pairs

marginal scutellars, one near apex, one near base; two pairs noto-

pleurals, posterior pair rather weak, pale; one pair mesopleurals ;

one pair sternopleurals ; one pair pteropleurals. Scutellum flalt-

tened above.

Liaigs: Fore femora with a row of long setae ventrally and

scattered ones posterodorsally ; middle tibiae with one strong

apical spur; hind femora with one subapical, anterodorsal seta.

Wings (Fig. 1, B) : Basic pattern of brown, with milky white

and yellowish spots intermixed. Apex of first longitudinal vein not

extending to center of wing (slightly behind), the vein setose along

its entire length from humeral vein to apex. Two costal spines.

Junction of veins two and three well behind apex of second basal

cell and about in line with apex of anal cell; third vein bare or

with a few short setae on underside near base. Lower apical angle

of anal cell drawn out to a very short and inconspicuous point on

sixth vein.

Abdomen: Broader and longer than thorax. Ovipositor sheath

rounded dor sally, more flattened ventrally, tapering to a rather

broad apex. Male genitalia rather small, the ventrallj^ directed

claspers rounded, tapering towards their apex; inner process with

two pair of small subapical teeth.

Genotype: Trypeta flavipennis Loew.

The Nearctic species that are here assigned to Oxyna agree

very closely in structure with the genotype but disagree by having

only two pairs of dorsocentrals, the presutural pair being absent

(this character was also found to be present in the Palaearctic

species, nebulosa (Weid.), and in the much longer whitish setae

in the parafrontal region. In wing form aterrima and utahensis

are typical of the genus, but that of palpalis is somewhat narrower

and more flattened on anterior margin.

Key to the Species

1. Wing with two broad brown bands one of which originates at

the humeral crossvein and extends broadly along the costa to

slightly beyond apex of stigma where it turns posteriorly

crossing over both crossveins to wing margin, the other fills

the wing apex from points slightly behind apices of second and

fourth longitudinal veins; scutellum very pale yellow, nearly

white palpalis

- Wing without bands as above; scutellum dark yellow or brown

APRIL, 1949]

QUISENBERRY OXYNA

2. Femora black except narrowly at apices utahensis

- Femora yellowish except for a dark spot or stripe on the under-

side of hind pair aterrima

OxYNA ATERRIMA (Doane), n. comb.

Eurosta aterrima Doane, 1899, Jour. N. Y. Ent. Soc. 7 (2) : 187. PI.

4, fig. 2.

The original description was based on a single female from

Colorado and the following additional notes are also based on

one specimen of the same sex taken by Dr. J. M. Aldrich in

Platte Canyon (North of Idlewild), Colorado, June 10, 1927. Dr.

M. T. James compared this specimen with the type and could

find no significant deviation in structure or coloration, however,

the comparison did reveal that the body of the type is greased

thus obscuring the pollen.

The statement by Doane that the palpi and proboscis are short

is misleading, they are typical of the genus though not as pro-

nounced in comparative size as in the genotype. Third antennal

segment rounded on lower anterior corner but subacute on upper

one. Occiput with a black spot just above the neck that emits a

short ray on either side to outer vertical bristles. Thorax with

yellowish and cinereous pollen intermixed with the latter restricted

mainly to the lower half of pleura, metanotum, and lower half

of postnotum. Scutellum with faint brownish markings around

lateral bristles. Wings (Fig. 1, C). Abdomen black in ground

color but densely cinereous and brownish pollinose, the latter

tending to form a pair of large spots on each tergite. Ovipositor

sheath 0.53 mm. long.^

Type in the Collection at the State College of Washington.

Distribution : Colorado.

Host plant: Unknown.

Oxyna utahensis Quisenberry, new species

Close to aterrima but easily distinguished from that species by

the brown marks on the mesonotum and by the black femora

Male and female — Head: Mainly whitish; frontale and vertex

yellow to brownish yellow; ocellar triangle and upper half of oc-

ciput black. Some of the whitish setae on parafrontals nearly as

long as lower frontoorbitals. First and second antennal segments

pale yellow, former with pale setae, latter with brown; third yel-

low or brownish yellow, about as long as broad, apex rounded or

side.

*A11 ovipositor sheath measurements in this study were made from the dorsal

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 2

the upper anterior corner subacute, variable; arista dark brown.

Proboscis brownish yellow, palpi pale yellow, tips darker, with

short brown setae.

Thorax: Mesonotum 0.95-1.43 mm. long. Ground color black ex-

cept for humeri and upper half of postnotum which are yellowish

(notopleura sometimes yellow in greasy specimens) . Cinereous pol-

linose except for following brownish areas: large spot on meso-

pieura ; a pair of vittae on notum that extend from anterior margin

to scutellum, or to a point about midway between the two pair of

dorsocentrals, or these may be obscured by grayish pollen and

appear only as elongate spots at anterior dorsocentral bristle; an

inconspicuous spot at base of presutural bristles, this spot some-

times emitting an inconspicuous stripe posteriorly; and scutellum.

The yellowish areas and brown color of scutellum is often obscured

by cinereous pollen. The short setae are whitish, and longer and

more dense on pleura. Bristles black except for whitish posterior

notopleural and pteropleural.

Legs: Femora black except at apices, the dark area cinereous

pollinose; remainder of legs yellow. The setae mainly whitish but

with some pale yellow and brownish intermixed.

Wings (Fig. 1, E) : Length 2.80 mm long. Much the same as in

aterrima except there is no small whitish spot on costa midway

between humeral vein and apex of auxiliary vein, the whitish spots

tend to be larger and more confluent, and there is less brown in

axillary region.

Abdomen: Shining. Tergum mainly brownish pollinose but with

cinereous as follows: a narrow, inconspicuous, central stripe; lat-

eral margins ; and a narrow band on hind margins of tergites, that

on apical tergite may in some cases be yellowish. Venter mainly

brown, cinereous pollinose, with or without yellow on hind margins

of sternites, variable. The setae are whitish, and longest on hind

margin of apical tergite. Male genitalia dark brown, with fine

pale pubescence. Ovipositor sheath 0.59 mm, long, shining black,

with very fine reddish pubescence.

Types: Holotype male, allotype female. Temple Fork, Logan

Canyon, Utah, April 25, 1934 (T. 0. Thatcher) ; paratypes, one

female and two males. Blacksmith Fork Canyon, Utah, June 4,

1935 (T. Thatcher) , one male. Green Canyon, Utah, June 1, 1935

(G. F. Knowlton), one male, Logan Canyon, Utah, May 29, 1933

(G. F. Knowlton and E. W. Anthon) and one male, same date,

but May 16, 1934 (T. 0. Thatcher) , in the American Museum

of Natural History. Paratypes, two males, Lind, Washington, May

15, 1922 (M. C. Lane), in the United States National Museum.

Host plant: Unknown.

APRIL, 1949]

QUISENBERRY OXYNA

Fig. 1 — A. Head of O. flcvvipennis (Loew), lateral view; B.

wing of O. flavipennis (Loew); C. wing of O. aterrima (Doane);

D. wing of O. palpalis (Coquillett) ; E. wing of O. utahensis Quis-

enberry.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 2

OxYNA PALPALIS (Coquillett) , n. comb.

Tephritis palpalis Coquillett, 1904, Invertebrata Pacifica. 1:30.

This species is easily distinguished from aterrima or utahensis

by the distinctive wing pattern. The following additional notes

include characters of the female which had not previously been

described, the original description of the species being based on

a single male specimen from Ormsby County, Nevada.

There are two or three pair of weak, whitish setae along the

parafrontal area which are nearly the length of the lower fronto-

orbitals. Thorax grayish pollinose except for some brownish on

notum. Humeri, sometimes the area immediately below to anterior

coxae, and sometimes the notopleural area, and wing base yellow-

ish. Pteropleural and posterior notopleural bristles whitish. Scutel-

lum wholly pale yellow, nearly white. Wings (Fig. 1, D) 2.80-4.20

mm. long; the yellowish spots in the stigma may be only faintly

discernable; the apical brown band may extend rather far back on

anterior costal margin so as to nearly touch the basal band. Dorsum

of abdomen with some light brownish pollen intermixed with the

cinereous; venter yellow, with cinereous and yellowish pollen, the

former sometimes obscuring yellowish color ; pleura yellowish. Ovi-

positor sheath 0.59-0.84 mm. long, pale amber or yellowish brown

in color, bare except for some very fine scattered hairs. Grayish

pollen sometimes obscures the pale yellowish color of male geni-

talia.

Type in the United States National Museum.

Distribution: Nevada, California and Idaho.

Host plant: Unknown.

Material examined included two females and one male, no data,

from the American Museum of Natural History; one male, Yel-

lowstone (Roosevelt Lodge), California, July 1, 1938 (E. C.

Van Dyke), from the California Acadaemy of Sciences; one fe-

male, June 4, 1927, Hollister, Idaho, and one male labeled,

“Ormsby County, Nevada, July 6 (Baker) , cotype.” The Nevada

male was received in a shipment of tephritids from the Stanford

University collection.

Dr. Alan Stone checked the type for the author and reports

that it bears the same information as regards the date and col-

lector as was found on the label of the previous mentioned Nevada

specimen, the other information being as originally given by

Coquillett. The “cotype” designation is treated as a probable

error in labeling since Coquillett mentions only one specimen in

the original description.

APRIL, 1949 ]

DOUTT ERYTHMELUS

THE GENUS ERYTHMELUS IN CALIFORNIA

(Hymenoptera, Mymaridae)

BY RICHARD L. DOUTT

Division of Biological Control, University of California

A Ibany, California

This paper is a synopsis of the species of Erythmelus presently

known to occur in California. The author is grateful to A. B.

Gahan who kindly compared series of specimens from California

with the type material held in the United States National Museum.

Erythmelus flandersi Doutt, new species

Near picinus, but easily distinguished by having funicle seg-

ment four shorter than segment six. Differs from gracilipes by

possessing longer funicle segments, more extensive discal cilia-

tion on forewing, and a decidedly darker color. Antennae some-

what similar to longicornis, but flandersi has longer forewings

and relatively longer basal segments of hind tarsi.

Female. Length 0. 9-1.0 mm. General body-color very dark brown

to black. Basal and ventral portions of abdomen lighter. Trochan-

ters pallid. Eyes red. Wings hyaline or but slightly and indistinctly

fumated.

Viewed laterally, head over twice longer than wide; face be-

tween eyes concave; fronto-vertex peaked at acute angle. Viewed

frontally head as wide as long; ridge of fronto-vertex transverse

between posterior ocelli; orbital lin broken in fronto-vertex area,

of beaded appearance; facial line transverse, unbroken.

Antenna as in Fig. 1, A. Funicle segment 1 slightly longer than

2. Segments 2-6 gradually increase in width. Segment 4 longer

than any funicle segment except 6, the largest. Club thickly clothed

with small sensory setae.

Forewings long and somewhat narrow for genus. About 5 lines

of discal cilia on apical third of wing. A single irregular line of

short discal setae extends medianly from beneath wing venation

to apical ciliation of disk. Single row of setae located near cephalic

margin of wing, extending from venation to apex. Wing base

normally fumated.

Posterior wings with single complete median row of cilia.

Sparse row near cephalic margin, another partial row near basal

caudal margin. Maculate.

Thorax long; in cleared specimens a light transverse band ap-

pears on scutum. Scutellum longitudinally striate. Apex of metano^

turn acutely projects dorsally.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 2

Abdomen with prominent ventral sheath beneath ovipositor.

Ovipositor and lateral valves slightly exerted.

Male. Length 1.0 mmu color as in female. Genitalia extended

beyond apex of abdomen, (all specimens examined had been pro-

cessed through alcohol for slide mounts). Antennae as in Fig. 1,

F., filiform, each funicle segment longer than either scape or pedi-

cel. Funicle segments with longitudinal carinae, setae arise from

between carinae. Wings slightly narrower than female.

Described from 17 2 $ and 4 ^ ^ all captured by R C. Dick-

son on yellow tanglefoot boards suspended in orange trees. Holo-

type, 2, Covina, California, May 3 to 17, 1946. Allotype, $

Covina, California, May 3 to 17, 1946. Paratypes, 92 2, 1 ^ ,

Covina, California, May 3 to 17, 1946; 4 2 2, 2^ S, April 26,

1946; 12, Peralta, California, May 3 to 17, 1946; 12, E.

Highland, May 1, 1946; 12 , Cucamonga, California, May 1,

1946.

Host unknown.

Types deposited in the collection of the Division of Biological

Control of the University of California. Paratypes to be de-

posited with the California Academy of Sciences and the United

States National Museum.

This species is dedicated to S. E. Flanders, through whose en-

ergy the first representative collection of Californian Mymaridae

was assembled.

Erythmelus gracilis (Howard)

Anaphes gracilis Howard, 1881, Kept. Ent. U.S.D.A. 1880, p. 370.

Anaphes cinctiventris Girault 1911, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., 37(3):

286-287. (New synonymy).

The type locality of cinctiventris is Mountain View, California,

however, this species is believed to be synonymous with gracilis

which has been taken in Georgia, Illinois, and District of Colum-

bia. All the specimens examined were collected by R. C. Dickson

on tanglefoot boards suspendsd in orange trees. The following

localities are recorded: West Arcadia, 22 2, June 14, 1946;

32 2, August 25, 1946. Cucamonga, single females captured July

1, July 26, August 9, 1946. Covina, Calif., 1 2 , August 25, 1946.

East Highland 1 2 , Sept. 20, 1946.

Hosts for A. gracilis are recorded as Aspidiotus perniciosus

Comst., Lepidosaphes ulmi (Linn.) , and the eggs of Carpocapsa

pomonella (Linn.). The unusual host range indicated by these

DOUTT ERYTHMELUS

APRIL, 1949]

Figure 1. Antennae of Californian Species of Erythmelus. A.

f lander si B. picinns $, C. gracilis 9, D. rrwridvphagus

$ , E. psaUadis $ , F, f lander si $ .

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

records suggests the need for confirmation through controlled

rearings.

Erythmelus miridiphagus Dozier

E. miridiphagus Dozier 1937. Jour. Agric. Univ. Puerto Rico, 21:

133.

E. miridiphagus has recently heen collected along riparian

areas in northern California. Otherwise this species is known only

from Puerto Rico. The number of entomologists who have col-

lected Mymaridae is small indeed, and the inadequate coverage

of vast areas accounts for such spotty distributional records.

E. miridiphagus has been collected in California at the follow-

ing localities: Russian River, near Forestville, 2 9$, May 28,

1947 (Doutt) ; Rio Nido, 2$ $, May, 1, 1947 (Doutt) ; Nicolaus,

19, 1^, April 25, 1947 (Doutt).

The host of E. miridiphagus in Puerto Rico is asumed to be

a mirid, Polymerus cuneatus Distant, but no actual rearings veri-

fy this supposition.

Erythmelus picinus (Girault)

Anaphes picimis Girault, 1916. Ent. News, 27:6-7.

E. picinus was described from New Mexico and these records

extend its range to California. Specimens have been collected in

the following localities: Hecker Pass, 1 9, Sept. 17, 1947 (Doutt) ;

La Manda Park, 2 9 9, April 12, 1923 (Compere) ; Novato, 19,

July 3, 1947 (Doutt); Rio Nido, 1^, May 28, 1947, 19, Oct.

17, 1947 (Doutt), Forestville, 2 9 9, May 28, 1947.

Erythmelus psallidis Gahan

Erythmelus psallidis Gahan, 1937 Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., 39(9):

266-269.

The species is distributed through South Carolina, Mississippi,

Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Arizona. The record in this

paper extends its range to southern California. During 1933, in

August and September, 12 9 9 and $ specimens were col-

lected from ragweed at Arlington, Calif., by S. E. Flanders.

E. psallidis is probably the only species of the genus with a host

record that can at this time be considered entirely reliable. Its

preferred host is the cotton flea hopper, Psallus seriatus (Reuter),

but it also attacks a mirid, Reuteroscapus sulphur eus (Reut.), as

APRIL, 1949]

DOUTT ERYTHMELUS

determined through careful rearings hy Ewing and Crawford

(1939). On purely circumstantial evidence they also list as a host

another mirid, Macrolophus separatus (Uhler) .

Erythmelus io (Girault)

Anaffrus io Girault, 1911 Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., 37 (3) :294-295.

Girault described this species from a single male taken in

Illinois and he appended the description with a statement that

a similar tag mounted male was found in the National Museum

collection with a locality label of Los Angeles County California.

However, this specimen differed from the type, io, in wing col-

oration. Girault later suggests that io is similar to cinctiventris

and cannot be defined very well.

It is possible that io is a valid species and is present in Cali-

fornia, but none of the specimens which have been examined are

recognizable as this species. It is also possible that the female of

io is described as an entirely different species. The status of io

is considered too doubtful to warrant its inclusion in the following

key.

Key to Californian Species of Erythmelus

Females

1. Funicle segment 4 shorter than segment 6 2

- Funicle segment 4 equal to or longer than

segment 6 picinus

2. Species small, funicle segment 1 small, less than

half length of funicle 6 3

- Species large, funicle segment 1 over half

length of 6 flandersi

3. Basitarsus only slightly longer than second tarsal segment 4

- Basitarsus nearly twice the length of second

tarsal segment gracilis

4. Funicle segment 5 subquadrate, Californian specimens

of light color. Club about 3 times as long as broad psallidis

- Funicle segment 5 not subquadrate, Funicle 6 almost

twice length of any other funicle segment. Club

3.5 times as long as broad rmridipkagus

Literature Cited

Ewing, K. P. and H. J. Crawford. 1939. Egg parasites of the cot-

ton flea hopper. Jour. Econ. Ent., 32(2) :303-305.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

RECORD OF A FUNGUS OUTBREAK AMONG

ADULT BEES OF THE GENUS ANDRENA

(Hymenoptera, Andrenidae)

BY GEORGE E. BOHART^

U. S. Legume Seed Research Laboratory, Logan, Utah

On May 19, 1934, near Trinity Center, Trinity County, Cali-

fornia, various wild bees were observed collecting pollen from a

dense stand of the buttercup. Ranunculus californicus Benth. It

was the densest population of bees on flowers that I have ever

observed, each flower seeming to have one or more visitors. A

few sweeps of the net often collected fifty or more specimens. An-

drena complexa Viereck was the dominant bee, but a species of

Panurginus was also quite abundant. A Nomada, presumably

parasitic on the Andrena, was likewise common.

Subsequently for a few days the weather was cool and showery,

but cleared by May 23 to the extent that bees reappeared in their

former abundance. A few A. complexa bees were seen to be dead

and still clinging in life-like position to flowers and stems of the

buttercup. Resemblance of these bees to syrphid flies killed on

plants and to house flies killed on walls by the entomophagous

fungus Empusa was at once apparent. The clinging posture and

swollen abdomens showing white beneath the intersegmental mem-

branes were unmistakable. Within two days living bees were

rare, but on every Ranunculus plant there were several to many

bees that had been killed by the fungus. Remarkably, the other

species of bees appeared to be immune. Syrphid and emidid flies,

the latter often seen feeding upon various small bees, were likewise

unaffected.

I am unaware of previous reports of fungus epidemics in the

field among adult bees. At the time of observation, however, I did

not realize that the situation was unusual and made only the

superficial observations given above. It would be interesting to

know whether others have observed similar outbreaks among bees.

^Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Agr. Res. Admin., U. S. D. A.

APRIL, 1949]

HOTTES GMELIN

NOTES ON A LITTLE KNOWN WORK BY PH. F. GMELIN

PUBLISHED IN 1758 WHEREIN HE DESCRIBES

SOME NEW SPECIES OF APHIS

BY F. C. HOTTES

Grand Junction, Colorado

In Fauna Suecica published in 1746 Linnaeus named and de-

scribed seventeen species belonging the the genus Aphis. Of the

seventeen species treated in this work all but three were named as

binomials. Because this edition of Fauna Suecica was published

before 1758 the names and species described in this work would

have no validity in our present system of nomenclature had not

Linnaeus made some of them valid by reuse in the tenth edition

of his Sy sterna Naturae. The species thus treated were: Aphis

ribis. Aphis ulmi. Aphis pistinacae. Aphis sambuci, Aphis rumi-

cis. Aphis rosae. Aphis tiliae. Aphis betulae, and Aphis pini. In

this edition of the Sy sterna Naturae four species listed in Fauna

Suecica were assigned new names. Thus Aphis cucubali became

Aphis lychnidis. Aphis serratulae became Aphis cirsii. Aphis

artemisiae became Aphis absinthi, and Aphis centaureae became

Aphis jaceae. The trinomial which in this edition of Fauna Suecica

was described on page 387 in the appendix and given the name

Aphis populi nigrae, became Aphis bursaria in the tenth edition

of the Systema Naturae, and for some reason Aphis aceris and

Aphis plantarum aquaticarum were not treated but were left by

Linnaeus to be described in the second edition of Fauna Suecica

which was published in 1761. Aphis aceris being given the same

name and Aphis plantarum aquaticarum becoming Aphis nym-

phae.

Joh. Aug. Ephraim Goeze in his Entomologische Beytrdge zu

des Ritter Linne Zwolften Ausgabe des N atursy stems. Band II,

published in 1778 frequently gives as reference, Onomat. hist. nat.

P. I. in connection with the species belonging to the genus Aphis

which he treats. This reference unique in aphid literature, so far

as I am aware, aroused my interest.

After failing to locate this work in this country in 1932 I wrote

to the late Dr. Walter Horn then Direktor of the Deutsches Ento-

mologisches Institut der Kaiser Wilhelm Gesellschaft. I asked him

to try and locate the work for me, and if successful to send me

photostats of the pages on which the genus Aphis was treated.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

Dr. Horn answered almost at once, saying that he had never

seen a copy of the work but that he would try to locate one in

Germany. He was able to give me the following citation: Ph. F.

Gmelin, Onomatologia medica completa seu onomatologia his-

toriae naturalis oder vollstandiges Lexicon das alle Benennungen

der Kunstworter der Naturgeschichte nach ihrem ganzen Umfang

erkldrt. Ulm, 1758-1777, 7 vols. (vols. 5-7 are by G. F. Christ-

mann) . This work is not listed by Hagen in his Bibliotheca ento-

mologica. It is listed by Horn and Schenkling in their Index Lit-

teraturae Entomologicae but they make no mention of Christmann.

The British Museum catalogue of printed books lists Christmann

as the author of vols. 5-7 of this work. Recently I have located a

copy of this work by Gmelin in the Army Medical Library, Cleve-

land Branch (there is also a copy in the library of the British

Museum) but I have seen only photostats of the title page of vol.

1 and of the columns devoted to Aphis. These were kindly sent

me by Dr. Horn, a number of years ago.

For practical reasons the tenth edition of the Sy sterna Naturae

is assumed to have been published on January 1, 1758. Thus we

must assume that Gmelin published his work after that of Lin-

naeus. There is ample evidence, however, that Gmelin was not

familiar with the tenth edition and that Linnaeus was not familiar

with the work of Gmelin. As proof one might cite the use of such

terms as artemisiae, serratulae, and centaurae for species by Gme-

lin which had been used for species by Linnaeus in Fauna Suecica

but which were not used by him for species in the tenth edition.

One might also offer as proof that Gmelin was not familiar with

the tenth edition, the species described as new in this work by

Linnaeus of which Gmelin makes no mention. Of the works of

Linnaeus which I have seen, no mention is made of Ph. F. Gmelin,

or his species, the names of which were quite obviously taken from

the edition of Fauna Suecica published in 1746.

Of the twenty names which Gmelin associates with the name

Aphis, only populi nigrae, ribis, sambuci, and tiliae are associated

with the name of Linnaeus. If Gmelin’s borrowed names which he

associated with quite adequate descriptions may be credited to

him, and apparently they may according to the rules of Zoologi-

cal Nemenclature the species treated by him may be considered as

follows :

Aphis aceris Gmelin 1758, first valid use as a binomial. Aphis

aceris L. 1761 is a homonym.

APRIL, 1949]

HOTTES GMELIN

Aphis aceris as described by Linnaeus is generally considered

to have been a composite species and there is no reason for think-

ing that the species described by Gmelin was otherwise.

Periphyllus aceris L. and Periphyllus testudinatus Thornton

following Kessler Van Der Goot and Theobald would appear to

be very difl&cult to separate except on the characters offered by

their dimorphic forms. P. testudinatus having marked foliate lat-

eral plates in the dimorph which are lacking in the dimorph of P.

aceris but replaced in part by long dark hairs. Perhaps it will be

less confusing to consider Periphillus aceris Gmelin to be the

same species that in the restricted sense has been considered Peri-

phyllus aceris (L.).

Aphis artemesiae Gmelin, 1758, first valid use as a binomial

but a synonym of A. absinthi L.

Aphis hetulae Gmelin 1758, Aphis hrassicae Gmelin 1758,

Aphis cardui Gmelin 1758 are homonyms of species described by

Linnaeus in the tenth edition of the Systema Naturae. Both

Linnaeus and Gmelin describe A. hetulae as without wings and

appendages. Linnaeus did not describe A. hrassicae in the first

edition of Fauna Suecica but in the 10th edition of Systema

Naturae. The fact that Gmelin made use of the name hrassicae

can be taken as an indication that he was familiar with the 10th

edition.

Aphis centuareae Gmelin 1758, first valid use as a binomial

but a synonym of Aphis jaceae L.

Aphis centureae Koch is a homonym and will require a new

name.

Aphis cucuhali Gmelin 1758, first valid use as a binomial but

a synonym of Aphis lychnidis L.

Aphis cucuhali Passerini is a homonym and will require a new

name.

Aphis nymphae Gmelin 1758, first valid use as a binomial.

Aphis nymphae L. 1761 is a homonym as well as a synonym.

Aphis pistacinacae Gmelin is a synonym of A. pistacinaceae L.

Aphis pistaciae Gmelin 1758, first valid use as a binomial. The

species is a synonym of Aphis hursarus L. Aphis pistaciae L. 1767

is a homonym of the species described by Gmelin. Schumacher

1921 considers Pemphigus utricularius Passerini to be a synonym

of A. pistaciae L. Schumacher places Aphis pistaciae L. in the

genus Baizongia Rondani, following Rondani who had made it

the type of his genus. Schumacher also makes the genus Pemphi-

gella Tullgren a synonym of Baizongia. If Schumacher is correct

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [VOL. XXV, NO. 2

in his species synonymy P. utricularius Pass, appears to be the

first available name to replace that proposed by Linnaeus. How-

ever, I choose to follow Mordvilko 1935 who considers utricu-

larius Pass, to belong to the genus Geoica. This being the case it

is most unlikely that the species described by Passerini is a syno-

nym of the species described by Linnaeus. In this paper Mord-

vilko considers Baizongia and Pemphigella as synonymous but he

gives preference to and uses Pemphigella. It is also in this paper

that Mordvilko places Tychea setariae Pass. Endeis carnosa Buck-

ton and Geoica squamosa Hart as synonyms of Geoica utricularia

(Pass.). This synonymy had in part been indicated by Horvath

{Tychea setariae Pass, and Geoica squamosa Hart) as early as

1896. If one follows Mordvilko there appears to be no species

which has been declared a synonym of A. pistaciae L. Therefore,

a new name is necessary. To honor the memory of one of my

former Professors and the Nestor of American Aphidologists, I

propose the name Baizongia oestlundi nom. nov. to replace that

of Baizongia pistaciae (L.)

Aphis rihis credited to Linnaeus.

Aphis rosae Gmelin 1758 and Aphis rumicis Gmelin 1758 are

homonyms as well as synonyms of species described by Linnaeus.

Aphis samhuci credited to Linnaeus.

Aphis serratula Gmelin 1758 first valid use of the term as a

binomial but the species is a synonym of Aphis cirsii L. Aphis

serratula Schrank is a homonym and will require a new name.

Aphis serratulae Kaltenbach is also a homonym of the species

described by Gmelin. Lambers has biven the name Dactynotus

marcatus to the species described by Kaltenbach. Dr. Lambers

thought of Kaltenbach’s species as a homonym of the species de-

scribed by Schrank.

Aphis tiliae credited to Linnaeus.

Aphis ulmi Gmelin 1758 is a homonym as well as a synonym

of the species described by Linnaeus.

Bibliography

Buckton, G. W.

1883. Monograph of the British Aphids. 4:92.

Gmelin, Ph. F.

1758. Onomatologia Medica Completa sev Onomatologia His-

toriae Naturalis. I. Photostat of title page and columns 506-

511.

Goeze, J. A. E.

1778. Entomologische Beytrage zu des Ritter Linne Zwolften

Ausgabe des Natursyatems. 2, pp. 286-318.

APRIL, 1949]

HOTTES GMELIN

Horvath, G.

1896. Eine alte und dri neue Aphiden-Gattungen. Wiener Ento-

mologische Zeitung, 151. Heft 25 January 1896. p. 4.

Kaltenbach, J. H.

1843. Monographie der Familien der Pflanzenlause. p. 25.

Eessler, H. F.

1886. Die Entwickelungs und Lebensgeschichte von Chiato-

phorus aceris Koch Chaitophorus testudinatus Thor, und Chcuiit-

ophorus lyropictus Kessler. Nova Acta Academic Caesareae-

Leopoldino-Carolinae Germanicae Naturae Curiosorum. Band

LI, No. 2 pp. 149-180, pi. XXXIV.

Koch, C. L.

1857. Die Pflanzenlause Aphiden getreu nach dem Leben abge-

bildet und beschrieben. p. 63.

L AMBERS, D. HiLLE RiS

1931. Contribution to the Knowledge of the Aphididae (Horn.)

I. Tijdschrift voor Entomologie. DI. LXXIV, p. 170.

Linnaeus, C.

1746. Fauna Suecica. pp. 216-218, 387-388.

1758. Systema Naturae, Editio Decima. pp. 451-453.

1761. Fauna Suecica, Editio Altera Auctior. pp. 258-262.

Mordvilko, a.

1935. Die Blattlause mit unvollstandigem Generationszyklus und

ihre Entstehung. Abdruck aus Ergebnisse und Fortschritte der

Zoologie. Begriindet von J. W. Spengel Herausgegeben von M.

Hartmann, Berlin 8. Band. pp. 202-215, 225-229.

Passerini, G.

1856. Gli Insetti autori delle galle del terebinto e del Lentisco.

Giardini, III p. 260. Not seen or checked.

1860. Gli Afidi. p. 40.

1863. Aphididae Italicae. Redescribes Pemphigus utricularhis

p. 72.

Rondani, C.

1848. Osservazioni sopra parecchie specie di esapodi Afidicidi

e sui loro nemici. Nuovi Annali di Scienze naturali. Bologna. 9,

p. 35. Not seen or checked.

SOHRANK, Franz von Paula

1801. Fauna Boica Durchgedachte Geschichte der in Baiern

einheimischen und zahmen Thiere. Band. 2. p. 122.

Schumacher, Friedrich

1921. Aphidologische Notizen III Zool. Anz. 53 pp. 281-284.

Theobald, F. V.

1929. The Plant Lice or Aphididae of Great Britain. 3 pp. 37-42.

Thornton, J.

1852. On the pupa of Phillophorus testudinatus. (Aphidae).

Trans. Microscop. Soc. Lond. January, cf. Trans. Ent. Soc.

Lond. ser. 2. T. 2. Proc. p. 78. Not seen or checked

Van der Goot, P.

1915. Beitrage zur kenntns der Hollandischen Blattlause. pp.

370-371, 374-379.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

A NEW SUBSPECIES OF

PTEROMBRUS RUFIVENTRIS (CRESSON)

( Hymenoptera, Tiphiidae)

BY KARL V. KROMBEIN

Bureau, of Entomology and Plant Quarantine

Agriculture Research Administration

U. S. Department of Agriculture

In 1938 (Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 64: 236-8) I considered that

Pteromhrus rufiventris (Cresson, 1872. Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 4:

201; described as Myzine) was not divisible into discrete sub-

species. Additional specimens have been available recently, and

I have now concluded that this species will have to be divided

into two subspecies. Males from western Texas, Arizona, and Cali-

fornia have much paler wings and are slightly smaller (10 mm.

avg. length) than males from eastern Texas, Louisiana, North

Carolina, and Virginia which have the wings strongly infumated

with brown and are slightly larger (12 mm. avg. yength) . Females

of the eastern form have dusky wings, while those of the western

form have pale wings except the apical third of the forewing and

a f^loud along the basal vein darker.

The type of rufiventris (Cresson) is a male of the dark- winged

eastern form. It was collected in Dallas Co., Texas. The Virginia,

North Carolina, Louisiana, and Texas (Lufkin) specimens record-

ed by me in 1938 all belong to rufiventris rufiventris.

The western race, which I designate here as Pteromhrus rufi-

ventris hyalinatus Krombein, new subspecies, agrees in details of

sculpture with the typical subspecies, but is readily distinguished

by the paler wings, and the generally smaller size of the male. I

have seen only one female of each subspecies; that of the typical

subspecies is 13.0 mm. long, and that of rufiventris hyalinatus is

14.8 mm. long.

Type: $ ; Presidio, Texas; June 25, 1945; (P. A. Click; on

cotton). [U. S. National Museum, Type No. 58970.] The type is

10.7 mm. long.

Allotype: $ ; Palo Verde, Imperial Co., California; August 31,

1946; (P. D. Hurd). [California Insect Survey].

Paratypes: 1 $ ; same data as type. 1 ; El Paso Valley, Texas;

APRIL, 1949] MAC SWAIN COLLECTING STYLOPS

July 31, 1947; (L. W. Noble; on alfalfa). [Both U. S. N. M.]

1^ ; Arizona; [A. N. S. P.]. 15 ; Blythe, California; July 30,

1947; (Ray F. Smith; on alfalfa); [California Insect Survey].

15; Experiment Farm, Imperial Co., California; June 1, 1912;

(J. C. Bridwell; visiting glandular hairs on leaves of Helianthus

annuus) ; [K. V. K.]. Paratypes vary in length from 9 to 11 mm.

Specimens from Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico, and Baja

California, recorded respectively by Cameron, 1894 (Biol. Centr.-

Amer., Hym. 2: 258, pi. 12, fig. 23), and Fox, 1895 (Proc. Calif.

Acad. Sci. (2) 5: 263, pi. 21, figs. 1-5), are probably referable

to rufiventris hyalinatus.

A METHOD FOR COLLECTING MALE STYLOPS

(Coleoptera, Stylopidae)

BY J. W. MAC SWAIN

University of California, Berkeley

Males of the Stylopidae are generally uncommon in insect col-

lections, more particularly those genera which are parasitic on

solitary nesting Hymenoptera. For this reason, results obtained

from using females of Stylops pacifica Bohart to attract large

numbers of males may be of interest.

S. pacifica is a relatively common parasite of Andrena com-

plexa Viereck and A. suavis Timberlake. These two bees, which

occur throughout Northern California and Oregon from sea level

to about 7000 feet, are apparently limited in their pollen collecting

habits to the flowers of Ranunculus. At lower elevations emergence

of the bees varies from the middle of February to the middle of

March depending on the season. Almost one hundred percent of

the first individuals to appear in any one locality are parasitized

by 5. pacifica. The parasites are very conspicuous, since they

protrude from between the posterior abdominal tergites of their

host. The female has her flat, brown, triangular cephalothorax ex-

posed while the male is recognizable by its larger, darker, oval

puparium. On the first warm day after the appearance of the hees

the male Stylops emerge from their puparia. These males are

capable of immediate flight and have been observed to live only

a few hours. However, males may be enocuntered in the field

over a period of a week to ten days.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

The ability of female insects to attract males hasbeen used by

collectors with varying degrees of success in many groups, but

its use for the capture of male Stylops has not been reported. In

the spring of 1947 a study of the mating behavior of S. pacifica

was undertaken. For this study a number of bees containing the

female parasite were placed on flowers and on several occasions

males appeared within a few minutes. In 1948 emergence of the

bees was first noted on February 16 when 7 male Stylops were col-

lected in one hour by placing bees containing female parasites on

the flowers. The following day, which was somewhat overcast,

the same method gave negative results. On the next clear day,

February 20, 193 males were taken by two collectors in two and

one half hours. Of this number 111 were captured by one collector

using a single Andrena complexa which contained a female para-

site. After three days of inclement weather collecting was resumed

with the stylopized bees confined in small cages. The cages con-

sisted of a three inch tube of cloth with a cork stopper inserted in

each end. In this experiment each parasitized bee was immobilized

by lightly crushing its thorax. The bee was then pinned through

the thorax and the pin inserted into the smaller end of the cork

within the cage. Three such cages were set out at intervals of

about two hundred feet and visited regularly over a period of two

hours. During this time 263 males were collected either on or

flying about cages. In this experiment it was found that the cages

were very effective when set out on barren ground away from sur-

rounding flowers.

The greatest difl&culty in this technique is the problem of ob-

taining female parasites which will attract the males. Of the total

of 152 female Stylops collected in 1948 only 8 were found to be

attractive to males at the time of capture. However, the bees which

were captured earliest in the morning contained the greatest per-

centage of females which could be used for trapping. At the time

that the 152 female Stylops were taken, bees containing the empty

puparia of 269 male Stylops were collected. In contrast to the

number of empty puparia observed, a total of 510 males of 5.

pacifica were attracted by the use of the 8 females.

R. M. Bohart in his 1941 revision of the Strepsiptera reports

known males for about half of the North American species of the

genus Stylops. If it is found that this trapping method can be ap-

plied to other members of this genus the number of species from

which males are known may be increased.

APRIL, 1949]

LANGE AGROMYZIDAE

NOTES ON THE OCCURRENCE OF AGROMYZID FLIES

DURING 1948, AND A RECORD OF TWO

UNREPORTED SPECIES IN CALIFORNIA

W. HARRY LANGE, JR.

University of California, Davis

During the summer and fall of 1948 in different sections of

California, several species of leaf-mining flies of the family Agro-

myzidae were exceedingly abundant and caused serious damage

to truck and field crops. They also selected a wide range of plants

of little economic importance. In the past the commonest species

causing damage to various truck and field crops has been re-

ported as the serpentine leaf miner, Agromyza (or Liriomyza)

pusilla Meigen. It is now apparent that several species are in-

volved. In the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys of California

where it is hot and dry during the summer, the common species

causing damage to alfalfa, beans, melons, and tomatoes is a small

species with a yellow scutellum, Agromyza [Liriomyza) subpusilla

Frost (orig. desc.. Jour. New York Ent. Soc. 51: 255-56, 1943)

which has been previously unreported in the state. The specimens

were determined by Dr. S. W. Frost and Dr. C. W. Sabrosky.

This miner also selects a number of plants of little economic im-

portance. Along the coast of California, in the coastal valleys,

and in areas having a coastal influence, this species is replaced

by a larger species, also with a yellow scutellum, which is close

to the European Agromyza [Liriomyza) flaveola Fallen (also has

been called A. orbona Meigen). During 1948, this species dam-

aged cruciferous crops, lettuce, melons, peas, sugar beets, to-

matoes, and cultivated flowers, and, in addition, selected many

hosts of no economic importance. Through the courtesy of Dr.

R. N. Jefferson, I was able to examine flies from southern Cali-

fornia damaging tomato and found them to be close to or equal

to Agromyza [Liriomyza) pusilla Meigen. This would indicate

that we have three species in California with a yellow scutellum

which cause damage to a wide range of plants.

The corn blotch miner, Agromyza parvicornis Loew, is a wide-

ly distributed fly, but no definite records in the literature could

be found for the occurrence of this insect in California. During

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

August, 1948, it was found damaging young corn at Davis, Yolo

County. The characteristic blotch mines caused some drying up

of the tips of the leaves, and the damage was accentuated by the

persistent, white, feeding punctures of the females. The fly was

determined by Dr. C. W. Sabrosky.

NOTES ON SOME FOREST INSECTS

OF BAJA CALIFORNIA

By F. P. Keen

U. S. D. A., Agr. Res. Admin., Bureau of Entomology

and Plant Quarantine

In the Northern District of Baja California, Mexico, about

80 miles below the United States border lies the mountain range

of San Pedro Martir, rising to an elevation of over 10,000 feet

and carrying extensive forests of pine, fir, cedar and oak. These

forests are separated from similar forests of the Sierra Madre in

southern California by approximately 100 miles of open, non-

timbered, brush-covered hills, with only a few intervening patches

of Jeffrey pine,* Parry pinon and oak.

For many years it has been of interest to know whether or

not the trees on this botanical island were infested with the same

species of insects found associated with their counterparts north

of the border. In late October and early November of 1947, an

opportunity to collect forest insects from this region was afforded

the writer, who accompanied J. W. DuflSeld and Wm. C. Cum-

mings, of the Institute of Forest Genetics, on an expedition to

collect specimens of seeds, cones, leaves and insects from the trees

on this mountain range.

Tree species found on San Pedro Martir included Jeffrey pine

{Pinus jejjreyi) , sugar pine [Pinus lambertiana) , lodgepole pine

{Pinus contorta) , Parry pinon {Pinus parryana) , white fir {Abies

concolor), and incense cedar {Libocedrus decurrens) . Nearer

the coast on the bluffs of San Vicente canyon, near the village of

APRIL, 1949]

KEEN FOREST INSECTS

San Isidro, Bishop pine {Pinas muricata) was found, and in the

mountains east of Ensenada collections were made from knob-

cone pine {Pinas attenaata) .

The distance traveled by horseback to reach San Pedro Martir

and the lack of feed for stock made it impossible to spend more

than one day on the mountain. Hence, it was impossible to make

comprehensive collections from all tree species. Sufl&cient collect-

ing was done, however, to establish the fact that the native trees

on this isolated mountain had associated with them the same in-

sects as found associated with these tree species in California to

the north. Isolation had proved no barrier.

Species collected, all of which apparently are new records for

Baja California, were as follows:

Pinas jeffreyi

Dendroctonas jeffreyi Hopk.^ (New attacks under bark) .

Dendroctonas valens Lec.^ (Attacking base of trees) .

Ips emarginatas (Lec.)^ (Under bark).

Melanophila calif arnica Van. D (Larvae only, under bark) .

Hylargops sabcostalatas (Mann.)^ (Under bark).

Orthotomicas ornatas Sw.^ (Under bark).

Gnathotrichas retasas (Lec.)^ (In sapwood).

Plegaderas nitidas Horn.^ (Under bark).

Glischrochilas sp. (apparently undescribed)

Xantholinas sp.®.

Pinas lambertiana

Dendroctonas monticolae Hopk.^ (Under bark of windfall).

Pinas maricata

Carphoboras sp.^ (Attacking bark of trunk and limbs) .

Eacrossas villicornis Lec.^ (Reared from wood).

Abies concolor

Scolytas ventralis Lee. (Work noted on bark and sapwood).

Xylotrechas abietis Van D.^ (Reared from wood of trunk).

Qaercas agrifolia

Pseadopityophthoras sp. prob. pabipennis (Lec.^) (Under

bark) .

^Identifications checked by W. !H. Anderson, U. S. Bureau of Entomology and

Plant Quarantine.

^Identified by H. S. Barber, U. S. Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine.

’Identified by E. A. Chapin, U. S. National Museum.

^Identified by E. Gorton Linsley, University of California.

•Identified by R. E. Blackwelder, U. S. Natia(nal Museum.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

OCCURRENCES OF DIURNAL LEPIDOPTERA AT LIGHT

By J, W. Tilden

San Jose, California

It has long been noted that certain normally diurnal insects,

including representatives of several orders, are occasionally at-

tracted at night to light. Among these insects, a number of but-

terflies is included, although these species are, at least in our

fauna, normally entirely diurnal. The literature on this subject

is fairly extensive, and has not been examined exhaustively here,

but of special interest is an article by Howard (1898), which

reviews a number of papers on the subject. Among the species

mentioned in this article as having been taken at light are

Epargyreus tityrus (Fabr.), Pholisora catullus (Fabr.), Vanessa

atlanta (L.), Vanessa cardui (L.), Vanessa virginiensis (Drury),

Nymphalis j -album (Bdv. & Lee.), Nymphalis antiopa (L.),

Aster ocampa celtis (Bdv. & Lee.), Danaus plexippus (L.),

Papilio troilus L., and Lycaenopsis pseudargiolus (Bdv. & Lee.).

Dr. Howard suggests that in some cases these captures may be

due to the diurnals going to sleep nearby, and upon being dis-

turbed by some means, they subsequently fly to the light.

Tilden and Mansfield (1942) mention the capture of a speci-

men of her odea eufala (Edw.) at light in San Jose, Calif., where

this species appears to be uncommon. Other observations so far

unrecorded may be included here. In 1931, during both the spring

and the fall periods of flight of the skipper, Poanes melane

(Edw.), several specimens of this species were taken at the lights

of the pumping plant on River St., in Santa Cruz, Calif. In each

case, the insect was sitting near the light, not fluttering around

it. It may be worthwhile to note that in the grounds around the

pumping plant, grew Scahiosa, Salvia, Aster and other flowers,

attractive to this skipper during daylight hours.

At Vineburg, Sonoma County, Calif., Ochlodes agricola (Bdv.)

was taken, one male at the lights of a service station, in June,

1933. In September, 1936, another member of this genus, Ochlo-

des sylvanoides (Bdv.), was taken, also at the lights of a service

APRIL, 1949]

TILDEN LEPIDOPTERA AT LIGHT

station, at Gustine, Merced County, Calif. In these two instances,

as in the foregoing, the insects were merely sitting near the lights.

None of these skippers was observed actually flying to the light.

At Salida, Stanislaus County, Calif., in October, 1932, three

specimens of Vanessa cardui (L.) were taken, two at the lights

of a service station and one at the lights of an auto court. At the

same time, a number of specimens of Colias eurytheme Bvd. were

seen. Both of these species were fluttering actively around the

lights.

The latest of such occurrences to be noted was the capture of

a specimen of Vanessa caryae (Hbn.) at the porch light of a

private home near Navarro, Mendocino County, Calif., on the

evening of October 3, 1947, at about 9:30 p.m. This specimen was

fluttering against the lamp globe of the light.

A tabulation of these records shows several interesting things.

The family Nymphalidae is best represented by seven species.

The family Hesperiidae is second with six species. Pieridae, Pap-

ilionidae, Danaidae, and Lycaenidae are represented by one

species each. No Satyridae nor Riodinidae are included. From

this it might be concluded that Nymphalidae and Hesperiidae are

more susceptible to attraction to light at night than are other

families of butterflies. It is also to be noted that in most of the

recorded cases, the insects are of common species. It is even more

noticeable, however, that some of the most common species are

conspicuously absent.

Moreover, all the American species of Vanessa have now been

recorded as having been captured at light. This is rather remark-

able, since this is the only genus, all the species of which have

been taken under these circumstances, and it is a matter of in-

terest that behavior so unusual in butterflies should be common

to all the members of any given genus in our fauna.

Whether or not Dr. Howard’s explanation may be taken to be

a valid one is hard to prove or to disprove, but the widespread

occurrence of this phenomenon, together with the grouping of

captures mostly in two families, would suggest that his is at most

only a partial explanation. The habit of being attracted to light

would appear to be, in butterflies, a reaction occurring in a rela-

tively small percentage only of the individuals of a species. If

the reaction were actually common to a species, one would expect

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXV, NO. 2

to find records of many more individuals taken in this manner,

or it would have become a matter too well known to be considered

curious.

Actually, phototropic behavior varies not only in butterflies,

but also in moths. A tabulation of phototropism in moths in any

locality would probably show that there are numerous species

indifferent to light, and a certain percentage of definitely negative

species. Among moths of the latter category may be mentioned

members of the genus Triphosa, which shun light. At Tucson,

Ariz., in April, 1938, it was found that the phalaenid, Ulosyneda

valens Hy. Edw. was common at the flowers of Rhus trilohata

Nutt., but indifferent to the light of a Coleman lantern in the im-

mediate vicinity. The rather closely related Litocola sexsignata

Harv., which was abundant in the same area, was purely diurnal,

and was not taken at light. Many other similar examples could

be given.

The problem of phototropism is Lepidoptera is far from a

simple one. It may be observed that the occurrence of butterflies

at light is unusual enough to be of interest, but still by no means

so rare as might be supposed.

Literature Cited

Howard, L. 0., 1898. Butterflies attracted to light at night.

Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash., 4:333-334.

Tilden, J. W., and G. S. Mansfield, 1942. A capture of Lero-

dea eufala Edwards at light. Pan.Pac. Ent., 18(1) :26.

ERRATA, VOLUME XXIV, NO. 4

Line 12, p. 171. This should read:

elegans Cr. and further studies may show the E. hespera Scullen,

Figure 14, p. 177. The title should read:

Fig. 14. Distribution map for E. velutina (2), E. melanovittata

(4), E. mellect (5), E. hespera (8), E. ruficaps (10), E. ha ja (7),

and E. padfica (11).

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