Vol. XXXI JANUARY, 1955 No. 1

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

CONTENTS

LINDROTH — A revision of the North American species of Europhilus,

a subgenus of Agonum with a note on Agonum belleri 1

HELFER — A change of name in Chrysobothris 14

LINSLEY and MACSWAIN — ^Two new species of Plega from Mexico.... 15

VAN DEN BOSCH and SMITH — A taxonomic and distributional study

of the species of Prodenia occurring in California 21

MALKIN — Some California species of Hyperaspis new and old 29

REES and NIELSEN — ^Additional mosquito records from Utah 31

LEECH — A new genus for Cyphon robustus LeConte 34

Proceedings — Pacific Coast Entomological Society 35

Zoological Nomenclature 20

SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA • 1955

Published by the PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

in cooperation with THE CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

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The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. XXXI January, 1955

No. 1

A REVISION OF THE NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF

EUROPHILUS, A SUBGENUS OF AGONUM

WITH A NOTE ON AGONUM BELLFRI

(Coleoptera: Carabidae)

Carl H, Lindroth

ZooL Inst, of University, Lund, Sweden

Europhilus has often been treated as a separate genus (see

Casey, 1920:125; Jeannel, 1942:890) but the characters dis-

tinguishing its members from Agoiium, s. sir., are too insignificant.

Furthermore, in the palaearctic fauna, A. antennarium Duftschmid

and sordidum Dejean to some extent represent transitional forms

(Miiller, 1934:41). The main feature characteristic of the sub-

genus Europhilus, besides the pointed, not at all truncate tip of the

last joint of the maxillary palpi, is the pubescence of the antennae,

commencing on the third joint, whereas in the other subgenera of

Agonum the third joint, except for the long terminal setae, is com-

pletely glabrous. As far as I know there are but four exceptions to

this characteristic in the North American fauna, viz., A. (Puncta-

gonum) belleri Hatch, A. (Anchus) pusillum LeConte, A. (Stic-

tanchus) anchomenoides Randall, and A. (Idiochroma) quad-

rimaculatum Horn, All of these likewise possess a more expanded

antennal pubescence. In pusillum and quadrimaculatum the pro-

thorax has a shape quite different from Europhilus, in belleri and

anchomenoides the terminal point of the maxillary palpi is evidently

truncate at tip.

In spite of these exceptions any North American member of

the subgenus Europhilus will be readily separated from other

species of Agonum, s.l., by the combination of pubescent third but

glabrous second joint of the antennae, pointed last joint of the

maxillary palpi and the glabrous elytra.

Also larval characters have been used for maintaining Euro-

philus as a genus separate from Agonum (Larsson, 1941:322).

Particular attention has been placed upon the presence of one or

more irregular incisions of the inner edge of the mandibulae out-

side the retinaculum, as well as upon the configuration of the

frontal edge of the nasale (fig. 1). To my mind these characters,

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

though apparently constant, do not justify a more independent

taxonomic position of Europhilus than of Platynus, S', str., Anchus,

Idiochroma, etc., likewise generally treated as subgenera of

Agonum.

Fig. 1. Left mandibula and nasale of larva of: a. Agonum (Europhilus)

thoreyi Dejean, 3rd stage (Denmark, Utterslev Mose), h. Agonum (Euro-

philus) consimile Gyllenhal, 3rd stage (Labrador, W. St. Modest), c. Agonum

s. str., ericeti Panzer, 1st stage, greater magnification (Sweden, Sodermanland,

Ricksten, ex ovo).

In general habitus Europhilus agrees with Agonum, s. str. (type

cupripenne, melanarium, etc.), but the size is usually smaller and

the prothorax proportionally narrower, always impunctate. The

number and position of dorsal setigerous punctures on or at the

third interval of elytra is subject to considerable individual varia-

tion but the number seems never to be less than four.

A remarkable confusion is prevailing among North American

Europhilus in public and private collections, as well as in the

nomenclature of species. This is largely due to the unusual vari-

ability, in size, color, prothorax form, and other characteristics,

displayed by most species. Furthermore, the form and sculpture

of the penis, which provides such excellent taxonomic characters

within the Agonum, s.str., gives very little help in Europhilus.

On the other hand, the microsculpture of elytra (investigated on

the central part of the inner intervals), the position of the basal

setigerous puncture of prothorax and the sulci of the hind tarsi,

are useful and apparently rather constant characters. Even the

colour of the antennae seems subject to little variation only.

Of the species included in this review I have seen all except

January, 1955]

LINDROTH EUROPHILUS

galvestonicum Casey (1920:126), described after a single male

from Texas. I failed to study the type during my visit at the

National Museum, Washington, because at that time I had no

intention to make a complete revision of the subgenus. According

to the description, and also the provenience, galvestonicum seems

to be a distinct species.

Abbreviations used :

AMN=American Museum of Natural History, New York.

BMN=British Museum, Natural History, London.

DAO=Department of Agriculture, Ottowa.

MCZ=Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass.

NMW=National Museum, Washington, D.C.

UMH=Zoological Museum, University, Helsingfors, Finland.

!=Specimen seen by the present author.

Key To The Species

1. Upper surface completely black with a more or less pronounced metallic

lustre. Antennae and legs black (exceptionally the basal joint of anten-

nae and the tibiae slightly piceous) 2

- At least the elytra not completely black or, if so, without metallic

lustre (in one species slightly iridescent). First antennal joint and

femora (often the whole legs) yellowish, brown or piceous 4

2. Prothorax without trace of hind angles (fig. 2a). Microsculpture of

elytra consisting of isodiametric meshes which show no tendency of

forming transverse rows 1. simile

- Hind-angles of prothorax at least suggested. Microsculpture meshes of

elytra more irregular, more or less transverse, and with tendency of

arrangement in transverse rows 3

3. Prothorax with obtuse but distinct hind-angles, the sides before them

straight or even slightly sinuate (fig. 2c). First joint of hind-tarsi

with lateral groove also on the inside. Antennae shorter 3. exaratum

— Hind-angles of prothorax suggested only (completely rounded, fig. 2b).

First joint of hind-tarsi without (or with barely traceable) inside

groove 2. consimile

4. Joints 2-4 of antennae darker than the following, almost black. All

joints of hind-tarsi (besides the lateral groves of joint 1-4) with a

sharp median carina 6. gratiosum

— No colour contrast between joint 4 and 5 of antennae. Last tarsal

joint smooth above or with a median furrow 5

5, Prothorax pale as the elytra, sharply contrasting against the black

head 6

- At least the disk of prothorax as dark as the head 7

6. Eyes small and flat 8. lutulentum

— Eyes “very prominent.” galvestonicum

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

7. All joints of hind-tarsi (besides the lateral groves of joint 1-4) with

a median furrow (best observed on the last joint) 4. thoreyi

- Tarsal joints smooth above - - - 8

8. Basal setigerous puncture of prothorax removed from side margin.

Antennae (with very rare individual exceptions) with 3 pale basal joints

and again paler at tip. Hind wings often reduced. - 5. retractum

- Basal setigerous puncture of prothorax touching the side margin. Only

1-2 basal joints of antennae pale. Wings always full 9

9. The 8th stria of elytra deeply impressed in its whole length. The micro-

sculpture of elytra consists of very fine and close transverse lines

without tendency of forming meshes, elytra therefore slightly irides-

cent 10. darlingtoni

- The 8th stria shallower, especially in the middle. Microsculpture of

elytra coarser, forming evident, more or less isodiametric meshes 10

10. Eyes small and very flat. Prothorax not transverse, its narrowly re-

flexed lateral part barely enlarged towards the base. Microsculpture of

elytra consisting of isodiametric meshes without tendency of forming

transverse rows ..9. dilutipenne

- Eyes strongly convex. Prothorax transverse, its side margin more widely

reflexed towards the base. Microsculpture of elytra with more irregular

meshes with slight tendency of forming transverse rows 4. sordens

Fig. 2. Prothorax of: a. Agonum (Eiirophilus) simile Kirby (paratype).

h. Agonum (Europhilus) consimile Gyllenhal (Labrador, Forteau), c. Agonum

(Europhilus) exaratum Mannerheim (lecto-holotype) . The hind-angles are

not always equally prominent in exaratum..

1. Agonum (Europhilus) simile Kirby, 1837

Black with slight brassy lustre above. — The eyes less prominent than

in the two following species. Prothorax (fig. 2a) very convex, oviform

with completely disappearing hind-angles and only slightly deplanate around

the shallow basal foveae. Elytra with more protruding shoulder part and

more sinuate laterally before apex than in the two following species and

therefore with more projected tip. The striae sharp but very fine, the in-

tervals completely flat. Length 6.7 mm.

Only the two original $$ known (BMN! ) . The locality was not

stated but is probably situated somewhere at the North Saskatche-

wan River,

January, 1955]

LINDROTH — EUROPHILUS

2. Agonum (Europhilus) consimile Gyllenhal, 1810

(invalidum Casey, 1924; ? fragile Mannerheim, 1853)

The identity of Casey’s species was verified by examination of

the male type from Edmonton, Alberta (NMW!). — ^The type of

fragile Mannerheim could not be found (it is not in UMH) but

the description, especially of prothorax, fits consimile very well.

Black with more or less pronounced metallic lustre above. The first an-

tennal joint and the tibiae are occasionally slightly picescent (probably

due to imperfect maturity). The antennae are slender, joints 4-10 with

straight sides, 6-7 at least twice as long as wide. — Prothorax with

obsolete hind-angles and slightly rounded sides in front of them. Elytra

as a rule with almost flat intervals but the striae are always deeper than

in simile. The only constant difference in penis from exaratum (and the

palaearctic niunsteri Hellen) is the very slight sinuation of the ventral side

just before apex (fig. 3). Length 5. 3-6. 5 mm.

Distribution: Probably transamerican. I have seen it from

Matanuska, Alaska, V.45 (J. C, Chamberlin, NMW!) ; Edmonton,

Fig. 3. Penis apex, left side view, of: a Agonum (Europhilus) exaratum

Mannerheim, h. Agonum, (Europhilus) consimile Gyllenhal, with the charac-

teristic sinuation (x).

Alberta (^‘‘invalidum Casey”) ; Churchill, Manitoba, VI,YI1L37

(W. J. BroAvn, DAO!); Ungava Bay, (Quebec (L. M. Turner,

NMW ! ) ; widely distributed in southeast Labrador, Cape Breton

Island (Nova Scotia) and Newfoundland. Circumpolar in high

latitudes.

Ecology: This species is strongly hygrophilous. It occurs in

wet bogs, as a rule close to the margin of pools and ponds, always

on spots with Carex-vegetation and a dense carpet of mosses, but

very seldom in Sphagnum, as on the whole it avoids the acid

oligotrophic and dystrophic bogs, (Vide Lindroth, 1945:49). The

larvae were found in company with the imago in Labrador and

Newfoundland.

3. Agonum (Europhilus) exaratum Mannerheim, 1853

(aldanicum Poppius, 1906)

Generally shorter than consimile, with greatest width of elytra more

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

evidently behind the middle. Antennae ( seen from the flat side ! ) shorter,

outer joints (4 - 10) with rounded sides, almost ovato-oblong, 6 — 7 not

at all twice as long as wide. — Prothorax varying but always with distinct

hind-angles, the sides before them as a rule slightly sinuate or at least

straight (fig. 2c). The elytral striae usually deeper with more convex

intervals. Tarsal groves more distinct (wide key). The penis with com-

pletely straight ventral profile line (fig. 3). Length 5.2 — 6.2 mm.

The difference from consimile in the microsculpture of elytra,

formerly used by me (1943:64) as a separating character, accord-

ing to the large material now at disposal, seems not to be constant.

Distribution: Besides the two typical females from Kadjak,

Alaska (UMH), I have seen a large series from Reindeer Depot,

Mackenzie Delta, Northwest Territory, 28.VI.— 12.VII.1948 (W. J.

Brown, DAO!), and one small female from Baker Lake, Northwest

Territory, 29.VIII.1930 (A. E. Porsild, MCZI). In the palaearctic

region the species is known from Lena River, Siberia (type locality

of aldanicum Poppius), and from the Kanin and Kola Peninsulae

in northern Russia (Lindroth, 1945:43—44). The ecology is not

known.

4. Agonum (Europhilus) sordens Kirby , 1837

(picicorne LeConte, 1860; frosti Casey, 1924)

An examination of the type specimen of sordens (BMN ! ) con-

tradicts the opinion of Chaudoir (in LeConte, 1869:248) that it

should be the same a.s retractum LeConte. The type of picicorne

(Alb.) and five additional specimens in the collection LeConte

(MCZ) differ from sordens by the dark colour only; the penis is

identical. The synonymy of frosti Casey was verified by examina-

tion of the type ($, Maine, NMW ! ) .

This species displays a great amount of variation in colour and

in the form of prothorax and the penis is likewise slightly varying

in length and acuteness of the apical part. But these variations are

in no way coordinated and may occur even within one small

population. Therefore, there is no reason for making a division

into subspecies.

The upper surface, especially head and prothorax, often shows

a clear metallic lustre. The elytra as a rule are paler than head and

prothorax, often as bright as in dilutipenne, but sometimes quite

dark (“picicorne LeConte”). In the palest form also the side

margins of prothorax are reddish and the second antennal joint

is almost as pale as the first. The prothorax is clearly transverse and

in this respect, as in others, the species is very similar to consimile.

January, 1955]

LINDROTH — EUROPHILUS

but the two species are sufficiently separated by colour characters

(vide key) and furthermore sordens has a pronounced longitudinal

groove also on the inside of the first joint of hind-tarsi (in consimile

at most a trace of it) . An examination of the penis fails to dem-

onstrate any useful difference between sordens and consimile so the

two species must be closely related. Length 5,3— 6.5 mm.

Distribution: A transamerican species, occurring from New-

foundland and Labrador to Washington (Gray & Hatch, 1941) and

British Columbia (coll. Fall, MCZ!).

Ecology: On moist, open places with sparse vegetation, often

with tiny mosses on the ground (not Sphagnum) , but not neces-

sarily at the border of open water.

5. Agonum (Europhilus) retractum LeConte, 1848

(collusoT Casey, 1920; facile Casey, 1920; serenum Casey, 1920)

The interpretation of the species (including genital slide) was

made on LeConte’s male type from Lake Superior (MCZ!). The

synonymy of the three Casey species was verified by examination

of the types (NMW 1 )

Piceous black, the outer margin of prothorax and the elytra as a rule

paler. Legs and base of antennae, usually the 3 first joints, rufous. (In a

dark specimen from Newfoundland the entire antennae are piceous.) El-

ytra shorter oviform, with more rounded sides, than in the other species.

The tarsi are shorter compared with the tibiae than in any other species.

From gratiosum, to which it bears the greatest resemblance, sufficiently

separated by the tarsal sculpture and the colour of antennae (vide key),

and also by the microsculpture of elytra forming more clearly transverse

meshes which tend to be arranged in transverse rows. — The penis is slenderer,

more arcuate, with more pointed apex. Concerning the wing dimorphism in

this species, vide Darlington, 1936. Length 6.3— 7.6 mm.

Distribution: Eastern States, Eastern Canada, west to Lake

Superior.

Ecology: The habitat of this species is different from that of

other American Europhilus, It is a true forest insect living in-

dependently of water in moderately moist debris of leaves, ferns,

etc. in shady places under bushes and hardwood trees, in the com-

pany of Calathus micropterus ingratus.

6. Agonum (Europhilus) gratiosum Mannerheim, 1853

( picipenne var. c, Kirby, 1837 ; mficorne LeConte, 1850 nec Goeze, 1777 ;

lenum or lene auct., e.g. Casey, 1920: 130, nec Dejean; symmetricum Casey,

1920; pToperans Casey, 1920; antiquum Notman, 1922; ? carri Casey, 1924)

As lecto-holotype I have selected a female labelled ‘‘^Anch, gra-

^£o5t^s'Mnh. Kadjak”, Alaska (Holmberg, UMHI), as lecto-allotype

THE PAN-PACIFJC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 1

male an example from the same locality in collection LeConte

(MCZ!). The latter has been compared and found identical with

the type of ruficorne LeConte from Lake Superior (MCZ ! ) . That

Kirby’s var.c of picipenne, characterized by the colour of antennae,

belongs here, has been assumed by all students but, of course, his

name cannot be used because the f.typ. is thoreyi (confirmed on

the types in BMN!) . Dejean’s lenum likewise, mainly according to

the description of the colour of antennae, must be referred to

thoreyi. The two Casey names of 1920 (NMW! ) as well as anti-

quum Notman (AMN ! ) were interpreted on the types. The latter

name was established on an unusually narrow (immature and

probably abnormal) form. As to carri Casey, unfortunately I

made no note of it when studying the Casey collection and the

synonymy with gratiosum here suggested is based on the descrip-

tion of -the colour of antennae.

This species is easily recognized by the colour of antennae

and the tarsal carina described in the key. The body is piceous

black, the legs pale rufous. The microsculpture of elytra is more

irregular and its meshes less pronounced isodiaraetric compared

with thoreyi but the tendency of forming transverse rows is less

evident than in retractum. The wings are always fully developed,

with reflexed apical part, but comparatively so weak and small that

the insect probably lacks the power of Alight. Length 6.7— 9.1 mm.

Distribution: Transamerican. Described from Alaska, also

known from British Columbia (MCZ! DAO!), Northwest Territory

(Fort Simpson, Coll, LeConte!) and Washington (Gray & Hatch,

1941) . Common in the East, north to south Labrador.

Ecology: This species usually lives on firmer and drier ground

than the other members of the subgenus, but as a rule in the

neighborhood of standing waters. It prefers open, often clayish or

peaty ground with short sparse vegetation of grasses, Carices, etc.

7. Agonum (Europhilus) thoreyi Dejean, 1828

(lenum Dejean, 1828; picipenne Kirby, 1837; gemellum LeConte, 1879)

Dejean’s lenum has usually been associated with gratiosum

(or any of its synonyms) , first by Chaudoir (in LeConte, 1869:248) ,

later by Casey (1920:130). But it is not clear whether Chaudoir

studied any typical specimen of lenum, or not. At any rate De jean’s

careful description of the colour of antennae excludes gratiosum

and, as far as I can see, lenum can be applicated to no other North

American Europhilus than thoreyi. The characters mentioned by

January, 1955]

LTNDROTH EUROPHILUS

Dejean as separating lenum from his thoreyi, including puellum,

both described in the same paper (1828), are unimportant in this

unusually variable species. Kirby’s picipenne (f. typ.) has been

generally misinterpreted (concerning his “var.c”, vide gratiosum).

LeConte first put it to lutulentum (1873:323), later to dilutipenne

iJ-879:58). Only Casey (1920:127) used the name for thoreyi

(verified in his collection, NMW!). I have seen the type of

picipenne (BMN ! ) . The identity of geinellum LeConte was verified

by examination of the male type from Vancouver, British Colum-

bia (MCZ ! ) , including a genital slide.

Thoreyi is easily distinguished from all other members of the

subgenus by the median furrow of its hind-tarsi, including the last

joint. The closest relatives are lutulentum and dilutipenne, with

similar form of head and prothorax, which agree in the perfectly

isodiametric microreticulation of elytra. Length 6.4^8.7 mm.

The form occurring in North America is “puellum Dejean”,

with uniformly dark upper surface. The “f.typ.”, with pale elytra,

is strictly palaearctic.

Distribution: Transamerican, west to California (MCZ! ), Wash-

ington (Gray & Hatch, 1941), British Columbia (MCZIDAOl),

Alaska (Matanuska, NMW!), north to Northwest Territory (Nor-

man Wells, DAO ! ) .

Ecology: In Car ex swamps and on the border of eutrophic

ponds, on very wet spots with high, close vegetation, but without

a too dense carpet of mosses (never in Sphagnum).

8. Agonum (Europhilus) lutulentum Le Conte, 1854

(elegantulum Casey, 1920; adustum Casey, 1920; atriceps Casey, 1920)

The two first-named Casey synonyms were originally (1920:127)

described as subspecies of lutulentum, later (1924:85) the author

declared elegantulum as a synonym whereas adustum was elevated

to specific rank. Now, lutulentum is an extremely variable species

as regards proportions of body and brightness of colour, that is

in the characters mainly used by Casey, and this even within one

and the same small population, so they cannot be used even for

erecting subspecies. Casey’s adustum and atriceps, in narrowness

of the body, only represent the extremes in this continuous series

of variation. The specific identity of elegantulum and adustum with

lutulentum was stated by myself in the Casey collection (NMW) .

I failed, on that occasion, to make any note as to atriceps but

later sent some notably broad specimens of lutulentum to Dr. R. F.

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

Blackwelder who, comparing them with the type, could find no

consistent deviation from atriceps.

Lutulentum at the first glance differs from all other American

Europhilus (except galvestonicum) by the equally pale (piceo-

testaceous or paler) prothorax and elytra, constrasting against the

deep black head. It agrees with dilutipenne and, to a lesser degree,

thoreyi in the narrow head with flat eyes, the feebly reflexed sides

of prothorax and the isodiametric microreticulation of elytra.

Length 5.9— 7.0 nun.

Distribution: Eastern States and Eastern Canada, west to Lake

Superior and Hudson Bay Territory; Washington (Gray & Hatch,

1941 ) . Probably transamerican.

Ecology: On very wet places at the edge of lakes, ponds and

pools with dense and rich Car ex vegetation.

9. Agonum (Europhilus) dilutipenne Motschulsky, 1864

(elongatulum Haldeman, 1843 nec Dejean, 1828; lene LeConte, 1848 nec

lenum Dejean, 1828; picipenne L'eConte, 1879 et auct., nec Kirby, 1837)

On the interpretation of lenum Dejean and picipenne Kirby,

vide thoreyi.

Constant in colour : head and prothorax black without metallic

reflection, elytra piceo-testaceous. From sordens, which normally

has a similar coloration, distinguished by characters mentioned in

the key and also by the regular isodiametric microreticulation of

elytra. In sordens the upper surface usually shows a slight metallic

lustre.

Dilutipenne is very closely related to lutulentum and no differ-

ences could be seen in the male genitalia. The difference in colour

is apparently constant. Furthermore, in dilutipenne the prothorax

is strongly microreticulated all over its surface (in lutulentum ob-

soletely so in centrum of the disc) and the meshes are less trans-

verse, almost isodiametric. Finally, in dilutipenne the posterior

setigerous puncture of prothorax is situated close to the side-

margin, in lutulentum slightly removed from it. Thoreyi, agreeing

in the form of prothorax as well as in the microreticulation of

elytra, is larger and darker and differs also by the grooves of the

hind-tarsi. Length 5.9— 6.5 mm.

Distribution: Eastern States and Eastern Canada, west at least

to Lake Superior, south to New Mexico.

Ecology: Habitat as lutulentum, in company of which it often

occurs.

January, 1955 ]

LINDROTH EUROPHILUS

Fig, 4. Agonum (Europhilus) darlingtoni new species. Paratype from

Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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

10. Agonum (Europhilus) darlingtoni Lindroth, new species

(Figure 4)

Black, elytra iridescent, often slightly piceous, the epipleura reddish

towards apex. Mouth-parts pale, antennae piceous or nearly black, their

first joint and the entire legs pale reddish. Eyes small but prominent.

Prothorax oviform without traces of hind-angles. Elytra with strong, im-

punctured striae, evident to apex, the 8th deeply impressed in its whole

length, the intervals slightly convex. Dorsal punctures inconspicuous, 4 in

number, the 2 anterior at the third, the 2 posterior at the second stria. The

microsculpture of elytra consists of dense, fine, transverse lines. The 3 basal

joints of hind-tarsi with evident lateral and barely visible traces of inside

longitudinal groove. Wings fully developed. Penis (fig. 5). Length 4.9— 5,9

mm.

Fig. 5. Penis of Agonum (Europhilus) darlingtoni new species, para-

type from Lexington, Mass.

At once recognized by the impressed eighth stria and the trans-

verse micro sculpture of elytra. In the latter respect this species

deviates also from all known palaearctic species of Europhilus.

Distribution: Holotype male, allotype female and 11 paratypes

from Lexington, Massachusetts, IV.,V.1926,VIIL1930 (P. J.

Darlington Jr., MCZ) ; two paratypes male Groton, Connecticut,

23.V.,4.VL1948 (Anton Janssson) ; one paratype male Sackville,

Halifax, Nova Scotia, 20.V.1951 (Lindroth).

Ecology: Dr. Darlington informs me that he collected his speci-

mens in very wet moss at the border of a pond. The data suggest

that the species is an imaginal hibernator.

APPENDIX

Agonum (Punctagonum) belleri Hatch

Already in the original description Hatch (1933:120) drew

attention to the fact that this peculiar species, deviating from all

other nearctic Agonum, s.str., by the setigerous punctures of the

alternate elytral intervals, is also characterized by the pubescence

of antennae starting already on the third joint, almost as in

Europhilus. Later, on these two characters, Gray (1937:311;

vide also Gray & Hatch 1941:24) established the new subgenus

Punctagonum.

January, 1955]

LINDROTH EUROPHILUS

Now belleri, in all other respects, comes extremely close to

Agonum, s.str., ericeti Panzer (bifoveolatum Sahlberg) from

Europe and west Siberia. In fact, I am unable to separate the two

insects on any other character, except that the antennal joints are

a little shorter in beller i. Penis and parameres (investigated on two

paratypes of belleri and two European ericeti) are identical. Even

the reduction of the hind wings (narrower than one elytron but

about as long, with very feeble, incompletely reflexed apical part)

is exactly the same. The ecology of the two species (Hatch, 1933;

Lindroth, 1945:55) is likewise completely agreeing.

If possible the comparison between belleri and ericeti should

be extended to larval characters. In case the immature stages of

the former should be found I here give a drawing of mandibula

and nasale of the first stage larva of ericeti (fig. Ic).

As far as I can see, it is even doubtful whether belleri should

not be regarded as a subspecies of ericeti. This may sound absurd,

considering the very peculiar feature of pubescent elytra and third

antennal joint in belleri. But both of these characters, seemingly

unconnected, may be the result of a single gene. An equivalent

case represents the subgenus Anchus. As stated by Hatch (1933:

121) the American pusillum LeConte is distinguished from the

palaearctic obscurum Herbst (under which name it wrongly long

passed) by the pubescent intervals of elytra, but at the same time

it shows a pubescence on the basal joints of antennae, lacking in

obscurum. Now, in this case there are also other differences, above

all in the penis, so the specific separation is indisputable. But I do

not think anybody would be inclined to refer pusillum and ob-

scurum to different subgenera.

Finally, it is worth paying attention to the fact that a flightless,

highly stenotopic species like ericeti must be predestinated to form

small, isolated populations suited for the rapid maintaining of

mutants, also of a non-adaptive character.

Bibliography

Casey, T. L.

1920, 1924. Memoirs on the Coleoptera. IX. XI. — Lancaster, Pa.

Darlington. P. J. Jr.

1936. Variation and atrophy of flying wings of some Carabid beetles,

— Ann. Ent. Soc. America. 29. Brooklyn, N.Y.

Dejean, P. F. M. A.

1828. Species general des Coleopteres, etc. 3. — Paris.

Gray, Barbara

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

1937. The Coleoptera of Washington, Carabidae: Agonini. — Publ. Univ.

Wash., Thesis Ser. 2. Seattle, Wash.

Gray, Barbara and M. H. Hatch

1941. The Coleoptera of Washington, Carabidae: Agonini. Univ. Wash.

Pnbl. Biol. 10. Seattle, Wash.

Hatch, M. H.

1933. Notes on Carabidae. — Pan-Pac. Ent. 9. San Francisco.

Jeannel, R.

1942. Coleopteres Carabiqnes. 2 — Faune de France. 40. Paris.

Larsson, S. G.

1941. Larver. — In: Hansen, V.: Biller XI. Sandspringere og Lobebiller.

■ — Danm. Fauna. 47. Copenhagen.

LeConte J. L.

1869. Synonymical notes on Coleoptera of the United States, etc. —

Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 2. Philadelphia.

1873. Synonymical remarks upon North American Coleoptera. — Proc.

Ac. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia.

1879. Synopsis of the North American species of Platynus, Bon. — Bull.

Brookl. Ent. Soc. 2. Brooklyn, N.Y.

Lindroth, C. H.

1943. Zur Systematik fennoskandischer Carabiden. 13—33. — Ent. Tidskr.

64. Stockholm.

1945. Die fennoskandischen Carabidae. Fine tiergeographische Studie

1. — Gbgs. K. Vet. Vitt. Samh. Handl. (6) B, 4. Goteborg.

Muller, G.

1934. Carabiden-Studien. V. Gen. Agonum Bonelli. — Koleopt. Rund-

schau. 20. Vienna.

A CHANGE OF NAME IN CHRYSOBOTHRIS

(Coleoptera, Buprestidae)

In U.S.D.A. Misc. Pub. No. 470, Sept. 1942 (Rev. N. A.

Chrysobothrini) , on page 40, W. S. Fisher proposed the name

Chrysobothris chamberlini for C. calcarata Chamberlin, pointing

out that the name C. calcarata had previously been used by Mel-

sheimer for a species from Pennsylvania. In Sbornik entom. odd.

Nar. Musea v Praze, 1940, vol. 28, p. 93, J. Obenberger used the

name Chrysobothris chamberlini for a species from California

allied to C. distincta. Since these species are members of the same

genus, I propose that the form previously known as C. calcarata

Chamberlin and then as C. chamberlini Fisher now be called

Chrysobothris trinuncupata Heifer, new name. — J. R. Helper,

Mendocino, CaUfornia.

January, 1955 ] linsley & macswain — Mexican plega

TWO NEW SPECIES OF PLEGA FROM MEXICO

(Neuroptera, Mantispidae)^

E. G. Linsley and J. W. MacSwatn

University of California, Berkeley

The following descriptions are offered at this time in order

that the names may be available for use in connection with

biological studies to be published elsewhere.

Plega melitomae Linsley and MacSwain, new species

Coloration generally similar to other species in the genus but

with less extensive dark areas. Head with heavily pigmented areas

reduced, absent from clypeus and labrum, more lightly pigmented

areas variable (figures 4, 5) ; antennae with scape pale, pedi-

cel darker, flagellar segments one to fourteen pale, fifteen to

twenty-six successively more piceous, segments twenty-seven to

thirty-one luteus, remaining segments piceous. Thorax (figure 1)

with pronotum pale, the usual maculations present but reduced

except for the basal collar which is predominantly dark; ptero-

thorax pale but with more extensive dark areas than pronotum.

Wings hyaline; veins and setae predominantly pale; stigmatic

area of both anterior and posterior wings with median pale area

distinctly larger than either adjacent dark area. Legs pale, dark

markings as in other species except inner surface of anterior femora

which is marked similarly to outer surface. Abdomen dark, pleural

area of first two segments yellow, remaining segments with a

postefo-dorsal yellow spot and a ventral longitudinal yellow line;

tenth tergite of male yellow with a small mid-lateral dark area, of

female dark with discal area yellow ; sternites margined posteriorly

with a narrow white band, discal area yellowish, yellow area ex-

panded on first two segments; ovipositor of female yellow, longi-

tudinal midlateral line dark.

Male: Length of body 11 mm., anterior wing 13 mm., posterior wing

10 mm. Head, especially ante- and post-clypeiis, sparsely transversely rugulose;

mid-frontal line, below coronal suture, scarcely evident: antennae (figure 13)

slender, flagellum 40-segmented, evenly, gradually tapered from base to

apex, segments cylindrical, apical segments longer than broad, slightly more

than half the diameter of basal segments, basal segments as long as broad,

setal pattern as illustrated (figure 13). Wings (figures 2, 3) ; anterior wing

with eight longitudinal veins arising from radial sector, usually four from

inner radial cell and four from outer radial cell, gradate veins ten; posterior

^ One of a series of studies made possible by a grant-in-aid from the Associates

in Tropical Biogeography, University of California.

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

wing with six longitudinal veins arising from radial sector, usually five

from inner radial cell and one from outer radial cell, gradate veins seven.

Legs with anterior coxae cylindrical, six times as long as broad, densely

clothed with long, erect, fine hairs rather than coarse setae. Parameres

(figure 9), only slightly arcuate, with three very short apical digitiform

processes and a single longer subapical process.

Female: Length of body 8.5 mm., anterior wing 12 mm., posterior wing

9 mm. Structurally similar to male except for terminal abdominal segments;

ovipositor S-shaped, about three-fourths as long as abdomen.

Holotype male (Calif. Acad. Sci., Ent.), allotype female (Calif.

Acad. Sci., Ent.) and sixteen paratypes (Qc^ cT, reared on

various dates in July, 1953 from cells of Melitoma euglossoides

Lepeletier and Serville collected at Erancia, 8 miles northeast of

C iNTALAPA, Chiapas, Mexico, April 3, 1953, by R. C. Bechtel and

E. I. Schlinger. Paratypes deposited in the collections of the Cali-

fornia Academy of Sciences, the California Insect Survey, the

Museum of Comparative Zoology and the Academy of Natural

Sciences of Philadelphia.

This species is readily separable in both sexes from the other

described Plega occurring in North and South America by the

venation of the anterior and posterior wings. Other distinctive

features are the shape and number of the antennal segments, the

generally paler coloration with reduced pigmented areas, and the

structure of the male parameres.

Plega fumosa Linsley and MacSwain, new species

Coloration generally dark. Head predominantly piceous with

pale areas as illustrated (figure 6) ; antennae with scape more or

less pale, pedicel and flagellum piceous. Thorax with dorsal surface

of pronotum dark except for yellowish posteriorly and postero-

laterally, lateral surfaces with posterior two-thirds yellowish, basal

collar yellow ; pterothorax black except for the anterior lateral arm

of the second prescutum, the ventral margins of the anepisterna

and the postero-ventral angles of the katepisterna, which are

yellow. Wings subhyaline, veins and setae predominantly black;

stigmatic area of both anterior and posterior wings with median

pale area greatly reduced in relation to adjacent dark areas,

medially placed in anterior wing, post-medially in posterior wing,

in the latter case rarely absent. Legs pale with dark markings;

Plate I. Plega melitomae Linsley and MacSwain and Plega fumosa

Linsley and MacSwain : Structural details.

January, 1955 ] linsley & macswain — Mexican plega

Plega fumosa

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

anterior coxae dark piceous; anterior femora with inner surface

uniformly dark piceous. Abdomen dark; pleural area dark, mar-

gined above and below with yellow; tenth tergite of male yellow

except basally, of female dark; sternites of male dark except for

yellow midline of segments one to four, of female dark with slightly

paler discal and postero -lateral angles of segments three to six;

ovipositor of female piceous, somewhat paler at base and apex.

Male: Length of body 11 mm., anterior wing 11.5 mm., posterior wing

8.5 mm. Head, especially ante- and post-clypeus, distinctly transversely

rugulose; mid-frontal line, below coronal suture, broadly impressed; an-

tennae (figure 14) submoniliform, flagellum at least 52-segraented (incomplete

in type and male paratypes), subapical segments as long as broad, basal

!3 melitomae

14 fumosQ

Plate II. Plega species: Male antennae and parameres.

January, 1955] linsley & macswain — Mexican plega

segments twice as wide as long, setal pattern as illustrated. Wings (figures

7, 8) ; anterior wing with seven longitudinal veins arising from radial sector,

four from inner radial cell, three from outer, gradate veins nine; posterior

wing with five longitudinal veins arising from radial sector, four from inner

radial cell, one from outer, gradate veins seven. Legs with anterior coxae

cylindrical, six times as long as broad, densely clothed with moderately long

erect fine hairs. Parameres (figure 10), only slightly arcuate, with eight

elongate closely appressed digitiform processes with the apices divergent.

Female: Length of body (excluding ovipositor) 11 mm., anterior wing

13 mm., posterior wing 10 mm. Structurally similar to male except for terminal

abdominal segments; antennae with fifty-nine flagellar segments, basal seg-

ments slightly less than twice as wide as long; ovipositor nearly straight,

about as long as abdomen.

Holotype male (Calif. Acad. Sci., Ent.), allotype female (Calif.

Acad. Sci., Ent.) and twenty-three paratypes (Sc? c?? 20$9)5 from

11 MILES EAST OF Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico, August 20,

1954, (E. G. Linsley, J. W. MacSwain, and Ray F. Smith), beaten

from an Acacia-XAne legume upon which three species of Polistes

wore nesting. Dissections of more than one hundred of these nests

revealed no evidence of parasitic association, but this may not be

significant since the wasps were rearing their first brood and the

mantispids were freshly emerged.

Paratypes deposited in the collections of the California Acad-

emy of Sciences, the California Insect Survey, the Museum of

Comparative Zoology and the Academy of Natural Sciences of

Philadelphia.

This species is distinctive in both sexes by the dark pigmenta-

tion. The structure of the male parameres, while suggestive of that

in Plega hanksi Rehn, differs in number of digitiform processes

which also have the apices divergent.

References

I'erris, G. F.

1940. The morphology of Plega signata (Hagen). Microentomology,

5(2) :33-56.

Navas, R. P. L.

1927. Insectos Neotropicos. Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, 31 ;

316-328.

1936. Insectos del Brasil. Revista do Museo Paulista, 20:722—734.

Rehn, J. W. H.

1939. Studies in the North American Mantispidae. Trans. Amer. Ent.

Soc., 65:237-264.

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

ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE: Notice of proposed use of

THE Plenary Powers in certain cases for the avoidance of

CONFUSION and THE VALIDATION OF CURRENT

NOMENCLATORIAL PRACTICE (A.[n.s.]20)

Notice is hereby given that the possible use by the International

Commission on Zoological Nomenclature of its Plenary Powers is

involved in applications relating to the under -mentioned names

included in Parts 10 and 11 of the Bulletin of Zoological Nomen-

clature, each of which Parts will be published on 30th December,

1954:—

(1) Applications in Part 10 of Volume 9

(1) Tufa Linnaeus, 1761, as published in the combination Formica riifa,

proposed validation of, and designation as type species of Formica

Linnaeus, 1758 (Class Insecta, Order Hymenoptera) (pp. 309—318)

(Z.N.[S.]776).

1. The present Notice is given in pursuance of decisions taken,

on the recommendation of the International Commission on Zoolog-

ical Nomenclature, by the Thirteenth International Congress of

Zoology, Paris, July 1948 (see Bull. Zool. Nomencl. 4:51—56; ibid.

5:5-15, 131).

2. Any specialist who may desire to comment on any of the fore-

going applications is invited to do so in writing to the Secretary

to the International Commission (Address: 28 Park Village East,

Regent’s Park, London, N.W.I., England) as soon as possible.

Every such comment should be clearly marked with the Com-

mission’s File Number as given in the present Notice.

3. If received in sufficient time before the commencement by the

International Commission of voting on the applications in question,

comments received in response to the present Notice will be

published in the Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature; comments

received too late to be so published will be brought to the attention

of the International Commission at the time of commencement of

voting on the application in question.

4. Under the decision by the International Congress of Zoology

specified in paragraph 2 above, the period within which comments

on the applications covered by the present Notice are receivable

is a period of six calendar months calculated from the date of

publication of the relevant Part of the Bulletin of Zoological

Nomenclature.

January, 1955] van den bosch & smith — prodenia

A TAXONOMIC AND DISTRIBUTIONAL STUDY OF THE

SPECIES OF PRODENIA OCCURRING IN CALIFORNIA

(Lepidoptera : Phalaenidae)

Robert van den Bosch and Ray F, Smith

University of Califbrnia, Agricultural Experiment Station,

Riverside and Berkeley

The bulk of the material presented in this paper was gathered

in 1948 and 1949 in the course of investigations on the bionomics

of the important crop pest Prodenia praefica Grote, the western

yellow-striped armyworm, P. praefica and the closely allied P. orni-

thogalli Guenee, the yellow-striped armyworm, are the only species

of Prodenia which occur in California. In the past a certain amount

of confusion has existed as to the taxonomic and distributional

relationships of the two species, and it is hoped that this paper will

help to clarify this situation.

The genus Prode/iia contains nine species, the majority of which

occur in tropical and subtropical America. The species included

in the genus in addition to praefica and ornithogalli are rubrifusa

Hampson; dolichos (Fabricius); pn/c/ie^/a Herrich-Shaffer ; andro-

gen (Cramer) ; litura (Fabricius); marima Schaus; and latifascia

Walker. Of these species only praefica, ornithogalli, dolichos, and

latifascia have been recorded from the United States, the latter

being a doubtful record. P. litura is the only species which occurs

outside the western hemisphere. It is found widely distributed

throughout the old world tropics and subtropics where it is of great

economic importance on a variety of crops. It is not known to

occur in the western hemisphere.

Key to the California Species of Prodenia

1. Posterior wings dull, somewhat fuscous with distinct discal spots on

ventral surfaces; forewings with apical fasciae inconspicuous; male

clasper with relatively short thick uncus, ampullae short, truncate

(Fig. 1C) ; mature larva with head capsule heavily reticulated (Fig.

lA) - praefica Grote.

Posterior wings semi-hyaline, discal spots absent; forewings with

apical fasciae conspicuous; male clasper with relatively long slender

uncus, ampullae slender finger-like (Fig. ID) ; mature larva with

head capsule faintly reticulated (Fig. IB) ornithogalli Guenee.

Prodenia praefica Grote

Brodenia praefica Grote, 1875, Canad. Ent. 7:44; 1882, Check List Macro-

lepid. Amer. N. of Mex., Brookl. Ent. Soc., pg. 14; Smith, 1893, U. S.

Nat. Mus. Bull. 44:170; Hampson, 1909, Cat. Lep. Br. Mus. 8:250 pi. 128,

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

fig. 20; Woodworth, 1911, Mon. Bull. St. Comm. Hort. Calif. i(10) :788;

Barnes and McDunnough, 1917, Check List Lepid. Bor. Amer., pg. 67 ;

Seitz, 1923, Macrolep. World div. 2 vol. 7:256, fig. 373; Barnes and

Benjamin, 1924, Contr. Nat. Hist. Lep. N. Amer. 5(2):80— 81; Crumb,

1927, Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc. 22(1) :43. 52 pi. 4a; Blanchard and Conger,

1932, Jour. Econ. Ent. 25(5) :1059— 1070; McDunnough, 1938, Mem. So.

Calif. Acad. Sci. 7(1) :96; McDunnough, 1943, Canad. Ent. 75(1) :1.

Frodenia ornithogalli praefica, Dyar, 1902, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 52:123.

Female: Head, mottled with white, grey and black scales; antennae

clothed with flat white or bi'own scales on anterior surfaces, posterior surfaces

with fine short hairs only. Thorax concolorous with head except for some

rufous scales. Forewing brownish or brownish grey in general coloration,

marked with white, black, and bluish areas; median vein and its branches

whitish at region of orbicular stigma, forming a conspicuous white patch with

the orbicular; reniform stigma creamy white or brownish with a white

margin ; apical fascia narrow, inconspicuous, outer margin of wing marked

by broken white and black lines, ciliae brown except at tips of main veins

which are white. Ventral surface of forewing greyish white, moderately in-

fuscated, a strong black spot in midcostal region; forewings about 40 to 46

mm. when spread. Posterior wings dull greyish white in aspect, dorsal surface

faintly to strongly infuscated, a continuous or broken black line at margin,

veins brownish black. Ventral surface dull whitish, speckled with black

especially in costal region, clothed with coarse flat scales, a distinct black

discal spot present. Legs greyish white with small black areas on tarsal seg-

ments. Abdomen greyish dorsally, venter dull white sparsely speckled with

black, terminal segments heavily clothed with downy black scales, closely

surrounded by long yellowish scales.

Male: Similar to female but usually more brightly colored with the

bluish and brown areas of the forewing less somber, apical fasciae more

conspicuous, posterior wings only weakly infuscated.

Adult variation: In addition to the typical adult specimens dis-

cussed above, a melanistic form also exists. This dark form is only

encountered early in the year when moths are emerging from

overwintering pupae. Specimens of both sexes are dark bluish

grey in gross appearance with conspicuous white orbicular patches

on the forewings. The head, abdomen and thorax are uniformly

dark grey in color and contrast strongly with the buff color of these

body regions in typical specimens. The posterior wings in both

sexes are much darker than in the typical form.

Mature Larva: Smooth, meso and metathoracic segments and 7th and

8th abdominal segments slightly swollen, ground color of body reddish or

greyish brown mottled with white. Head capsule, approximately 2.5 mm. in

width, ground color brownish to brownish orange heavily reticulated with

blackish or reddish markings, adfrontal sutures and areas yellowish white

forming a conspicuous inverted V. Length of the sixth instar larva ranges

from 20 to 46 mm.

January, 1955] van den bosch & smith — prodenia

Larval Variations: A variety of color phases occur ranging from

almost pure creamy white to hlack with yellow suhdorsal stripes.

The dark phase is most common and is marked laterally with pale

supra and sub-spiracular lines and dark spiracular lines in addition

to the yellow subdorsal lines. Paler specimens of the dark phase

Fig. 1. — A) Prodenia praefica Grote, head capsule mature larva; B) P.

ornithogalli Guenee, head capsule mature larva; C) P. praefica Grote, male

clasper; D) P. ornithogalli Guenee, male clasper. [Lines at lower left in each

figure represent 1 mm.]

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

frequently bear series of triangular black marks medial to the

yellow subdorsal lines. Dark lateral markings on the thoracic seg-

ments are also sometimes conspicuous along with more or less

characteristic round dark spots in the spiracular line on each side

of the first abdominal segment.

Location of Type: British Museum of Natural History.

Type Locality: Mendocino City, California.

Prodenia ORNiTHOGALLi Guenee

Prodenia ornithogalli Guenee, 1852, Sp. Gen. Lep. Noct., 1:163; Walker, 1856,

Cat. Lep. Het. Br. Mus., 9:193; Riley, 1882, Papilio 2(3) :43; 1882

Check List Macrolepid. of Amer. N. of Mex., Brookl. Ent. Soc., pg. 14;

Smith, 1893, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 44:169-170; Dyar, 1902, U. S. Nat.

Mus. Bull. 52:123; Beutenmueller, 1902, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist. Bull,

vol. 16, art. 33:422—423; Hampson, 1909, Cat. Lep. Phal. Br. Mus. 8:242,

248—250 pi. 128 fig. 19; Woodworth, 1911, Calif. St. Comm. Hort. Mon.

Bull. 7(10) :788; Barnes and McDunnough, 1917, Check List of Lepid.

of Bor. Amer., pg. 67; Seitz, 1923, Macrolepid. World div. 2 vol. 7:256,

pi. 37D; Crumb, 1927, Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc. 22(1) :43, 51—52, pi. 4B

and 5D; Crumb, 1929, U.S.D.A. Tech. Bull. 88:149—156 (illustrated) ;

Whalen, 1930, Penn. St. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 335:80; McDunnough,

1938, Mem. S. Calif. Acad. Sci. 7(1) :96; McDunnough, 1943, Canad.

Ent. 75(1) :1.

Prodenia ornithogalli eudiopta, Dyar, 1902, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull. 52:123.

Prodenia eudiopta Guenee, 1952, Sp. Gen. Lep. Noct. 1:164; Walker, 1856,

Cat. Lep. Het. Br. Mus. 9:193; Beutenmueller, 1902, Amer. Mus. Nat.

Hist. Bull. Vol. 16, art. 33:423—424; Smith, 1893, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull.

44:170; Chittenden, 1901, U.S.D.A. Div. Ent. Bull. 27 (rev. ed.) :64, 75,

114; Tietz, 1936, Penn. St. Agr. Expt. Sta. Bull. 335:80.

Prodenia flavimedia Harvey, 1874, Bull. Buff. Soc. Nat. Sci. 2:274; 1882,

Check List Macrolepid. of Amer. N. of Mex., Brookl. Ent. Soc., pg. 14.

Prodenia lineatella Harvey, 1874, Bull. Buff Soc. Nat. Sci. 2:275; French,

1881, Canad. Ent. 13:24; Grote, 1881, Papilio. 7(8):128; 1882, Check

List Macrolepid of Amer. N. of Mex., Brookl. Ent. Soc. pg. 14.

Proderda commelinae Riley, 1871, 3rd rept. Ins. Mo. :113, fig. 48b (1871) ;

Grote, 1875, check list Noct. :11.

Prodenia praefica form eudioptoides Barnes and Benjamin, 1923, Contr. Nat.

Hist. Lep. N. Amer. 5(2) :81; Seitz, 1923, Macrolepid. World div. 2 vol.

7:256, pi. 37E.

Female: Similar to praefica but somewhat less somber; the apical fascia

and white markings of forewing usually more distinct. Secondaries clothed

with tiny scales giving them a semi-hyaline and somewhat violaceous appear-

ance, infuscation only in costal region and along outer margin. Veins brown-

ish, discal spot wanting.

Male: Pale bodied, forewings rather brightly colored, with strongly

produced apical fasciae; area posterior to the reniform stigma in some

specimens orange brown. The outer costal margin and inner margin rufous.

January, 1955 ] van den bosch & smith — prodenia

costal area of ventral surface also rufous; secondaries similar to those of

female but with less extensive infuscation at apical angle. Abdomen ochreous

white, venter speckled with rufous.

Larva: Similar to that of praefica hut with greatly reduced reticulation

on head capsule.

Type Locality: Central America.

Location of Type: Unknown.

Fig. 2. Distribution of Prodenia praefica Grote (open circles) and Pro-

denia omit ho gain Guenee (solid circles) in the western United States.

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

Geographical Distribution

Prodenia praefica and P. ornithogalli differ greatly in distribu-

tion with the latter having much the wider range. P. ornithogalli

occurs in South and Central America, Mexico, and the islands of

the Carribean as well as the United States. In the United States it

occurs abundantly in the Southeast and has been encountered as

far north as Minnesota and Massachusetts and as far west as Cali-

fornia, but not in the Northwest (See fig. 2.) .

The range of P. praefica is apparently limited to western North

America. It has been recorded as far north as central Oregon and

Montana, as far south as San Diego on the southern border of Cali-

fornia, and as far east as Colorado. No records are available which

indicate that it occurs in the southwestern states but it possibly

exists in low abundance in the northwestern part of Arizona.

Because of the confusion which has existed in the literature as

to the distribution of these species in the West, and because of the

significance of this in the interpretation of the relationships of the

two forms, intensive studies were conducted during 1948 and 1949

in California to determine as precisely as possible the distribution

of P. praefica and P. ornithogalli within the state. These studies

were carried out by means of several sampling devices and methods.

The most useful was a monochromatic electrocutor type light trap

using a pale blue spiral gas discharge tube (predominant wave

length about 4320°A) as the attractant. New Jersey mosquito traps

with white Mazda type light were also used. In addition to light

traps, bait pan traps employing a yeast-diamalt fermenting lure

produced valuable records from western Stanislaus County. Larval

sweepings from various cultivated and non-cultivated host plants

at a number of localities also added to the distributional records.

In 1948 seven monochromatic traps were operated throughout

the state and in 1949 ten traps were run. Certain lights were

operated at the same localities during both years, while others

were shifted to different places the second year. In this way com-

parative records for the two years were obtained from several

localities while the remaining lights were used to determine the

status of the two species at a variety of places.

In 1948 traps were operated at Berkeley, San Antonio Valley

(Santa Clara County), Patterson (Stanislaus County), Dos Palos

(Merced County), and Shafter (Kern County) in northern and

January, 1955] van den bosch & smith — prodenia

central California and captured a total of 5990 Prodenia adults.

During the same period twenty-two bait pan traps located at Pat-

terson captured 3030 additional specimens of Prodenia. The ag-

gregate of 9020 moths collected north of the Tehachapi mountains

during 1948 was entirely of P. praefica.

During the same year two monochromatic traps were operated

in southern California, one at Corona and the other at El Centro.

The latter functioned for only eleven days and captured no

Prodenia. The Corona trap, however, was operated from April 1

to December 11 and produced twenty -three Prodenia. This

was a mixed catch, consiting of ten P. praefica and thirteen P.

ornithogalli.

In 1949 monochromatic light traps were again operated at

Patterson and Shafter in northern California, but they were dis-

continued at Berkeley, San Antonio Valley, and Dos Palos, How-

ever, two of these traps were transferred to new localities, one at

Ryer Island (Solano County) and the other at Gilroy (San Benito

County) . The four traps produced a total of 30,381 P. praefica.

Twelve bait pans, again located in the Patterson area, captured

6395 Prodenia also all praefica. Thus, as was the case in 1948, the

entire Prodenia catch from monochromatic light traps and bait

pans, located north of Tehachapi mountains, was composed of

P. praefica. In 1949 light trapping was expanded in southern Cali-

fornia with a total of six monochromatic traps being used. These

lights were located at Corona (Riverside County), Hemet (River-

side County), Port Hueneme (Ventura County), Bostonia (San

Diego County), Meloland (Imperial County), and Blythe (River-

side County). As was the case in 1948, the catch was mixed con-

sisting of fifty-three P. praefica and twenty -three P. ornithogalli.

Seasonal Distribution

Records obtained from the sampling devices used in the geo-

graphical distribution studies discussed above also supplied val-

uable information concerning the seasonal distribution of P.

praefica and P. ornithogalli. Data obtained at Corona in 1948

indicate that the two species differ greatly in seasonal distribution.

Operation of the Corona trap was not initiated until the first of

April of 1948 and no data are available to compare the early

season activity of the two species, hut the trap was operated through

the middle of December of that year and the record shows that

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

P. ornithogalli was active much later in the year than P. praefica.

With ornithogalli six of the thirteen specimens trapped were taken

after October 1, the last moth being captured on December 2,

while with P. praefica no specimen was captured after September

11. Although this record of seasonal occurrence of the two species

in southern California might seem scanty when based on such a

small sample, it is strongly bolstered by the records from northern

and central California which showed that practically no P. praefica

moths were extant there after September 30. Furthermore, collec-

tion of P. ornithogalli larvae from an alfalfa field at Riverside on

November 5, 1952, and from alfalfa on November 12, 1953, in

Blythe, and on December 2, 1953 at San Diego, gives additional

evidence of the late season activity of this species. The probable

reason for the early cessation of activity by P. praefica will be

discussed below.

Discussion

The intensive trapping activities conducted during 1948 and

1949, augmented by miscellaneous records, show that Prodenia

praefica is widely distributed over the state of California (Fig. 2)

whifis the closely allied P. ornithogalli is restricted to the area

south of the Tehachapi mountains where the two species overlap

in distribution, but maintain their identities. P. praefica occurs

in great abundance in the area north of the Tehachapi mountains

(particularly the Central Valley) while neither species is abundant

in southern California.

The difference in the seasonal distribution of the two species

probably results from differences in their overwintering habits.

P. praefica is a temperate area species being native to western

North America. It passes the relatively severe winters of its native

habitat in a pupal diapause which commences in September follow-

ing the fourth larval brood and lasts until the following January

or February. This diapause appears to affect essentially all fourth

brood specimens so that there are practically no moths extant after

the end of September. P. ornithogalli, on the other hand, being a

tropical species apparently has no true winter diapause and thus

occurs in its various stages until the time of killing frosts. It most

likely survives the winter in largest numbers in the pupal stage in

the soil, but individuals may possibly pass the winter as larvae or

adults in milder localities or in protected places.

January, 1955]

MALKIN HYPERASPIS

SOME CALIFORNIA SPECIES OF HYPERASPIS

NEW AND OLD

( Coleoptera : Coccinellidae )

Borys Malkin

University of Washington, Seattle

The material which forms the basis of this paper is from the

California Insect Survey Collection, Department of Entomology,

University of California, and was kindly lent to me by Dr. P. D.

Hurd. Mr. Hugh B. Leech of the California Academy of Sciences

loaned to me a number of specimens for comparison, from the col-

lection of that institution.

Hyperaspis essigi Malkin, new species

Broadly oval, highly polished, black. Head in male yellow. Thorax more

than twice as wide as long with a broad marginal stripe on sides. Elytra

slightly longer than wide, each with a large apical spot. Punctulation on

dorsal surface strong, tending to be more feeble toward sides of thorax.

Interstices smooth, non-alutaceous. Ventral surface black to piceous, epi-

pleura black, inverted sides of thorax yellow. Prosternal carinae very strong,

converging in middle and then running parallel to each other almost to

margin of prosternum. Abdominal plates almost complete, extending almost

to margin of second segment, flattened out and angular at apex. Legs piceous,

tibiae rufous. Male genitalia: penis longer than the parameres, extremely

slender and hooked at the apex. (fig. 1). Length: 3.5 mm.

Holotype male, labeled: Yosemite, California, June 26, 1926

(E. 0. Essig collector) deposited at the California Academy of

Sciences, Entomology Department.

This species greatly resembles H. postica LeConte, except for

the extreme elongation of the penis and stronger punctulation of

the dorsal surface and longer prosternal carinae. It might be added

that the apex of the penis is more curved than in postica giving an

impression of being a hook.

Hyperaspis taeniata bipunctata Malkin, new subspecies

This subspecies is close to H. taeniata pallidula Dobzhansky,

from which it differs in having a discal spot on each elytron ad-

jacent to the greatest extension of the marginal spot (fig. 2) . From

H. taeniata taeniata LeConte, it differs in having the abdominal

plates very wide, less rounded, incomplete and running along the

very margin of the segment. The prosternal carinae of H. taeniata

bipunctata are strong but very short, converging and ending in

the middle. The punctulation is more feeble than in typical H .

taeniata. Length: 2.4 mm.

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

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

Fig. 1, Hyperaspis' essigi Malkin, male genitalia, ventral view. Fig. 2,

Hyperaspis taeniata hipunctata Malkin, elytron.

H olotype male : Garrity Creek, Contra Costa County, Cali-

fornia, September 16, 1936 (Ray F. Smith collector) . In the Cali-

fornia Academy of Sciences, Entomology Department.

Hyperaspis moerens LeConte

A new state record is represented by a unique specimen collected

by Prof. E. 0. Essig at Berkeley, California, September 7, 1914.

The extension of the range is remarkable, the species having been

described from Lake Superior, Michigan and recorded also from

mountainous regions of Montana and Wyoming.

Hyperaspis lateralis wellmani Nunenmacher

Dobzhansky gives only state records from the U.S.N.M. col-

lection. A single specimen from Amedee, Lassen County, Cali-

fornia, July 4, 1947 (T. F. Leigh collector), represents then the

first definite locality. The extension of the range is quite within

the normal expectations, the form being quite common in the Great

Basin region, especially in Oregon and Washington.

January, 1955 ] rees & nielsen — mosquitoes

Hyperaspis lateralis omissa Casey

Dobzhansky reports only one California record (3 specimens

from Placer County). A specimen from Pinon Flat, San Jacinto

Mountains, Riverside County, California, May 27, 1939, from

Pinus monophylla (E. S. Ross collector), extends the range of the

form to southern California.

REFERENCES

Dobzhansky, Th.

1941. Beetles of the genus Hyperaspis inhabiting the United States.

Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections. 101(6) :1— 94, inch 6 pis.

Malkin, B.

1943. Two new Coccinellidae from Oregon. Pan-Pacific Entomologist,

19(3) : 109-1 11. I text fig.

ADDITIONAL MOSQUITO RECORDS FROM UTAH

( Diptera : Culicidae )

Don M. Rees and Lewis T. Nielsen

University of Utah, Salt Lake City

The following new records, representing a genus previously

unreported from Utah and three additional species of Aedes ex-

tends the number of species reported from the state to forty rep-

resenting six genera. For previous records of mosquitoes in Utah

consult the biliography. Unless otherwise indicated collections were

made by the authors.

PsOROPHORA SIGNIPENNIS (Coquillett)

This species was known to occur in arid regions of the adjacent

states of Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona and its

presence in Utah had long been suspected. It was collected by

personnel of Ecological Research, University of Utah, at Dugway,

Utah. No larvae were collected, but the adult females were numer-

ous and troublesome at the time collected. The presence of this

species in the arid Great Salt Lake Desert region of northwestern

Utah likely indicates a Great Basin distribution and further col-

lections probably will reveal the species range as extending into

Nevada and southern Idaho.

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

Tooele County: Dugway, August 4, 1953 (J. L. Eastin). Government Well,

NW of Dugway Mountains, August 11, 1953 (H. E. Cott).

Aedesatropalpus (Coquillett)

The appearance of this species in east central Utah represents

the most northern extension of its range in western North America,

having previously been reported in this area only from Arizona,

New Mexico and Mexico. (Carpenter, et al, 1946). It is common

in many regions in the southern, central and eastern United States

and in southeastern Canada.

The larval collection in Utah, from which both adult males and

females were reared, was made in rock holes, the typical larval

habitat for the species. The rock holes were deep sandstone de-

pressions located near the Colorado River. The Colorado River

has served as a migratory route into Utah for many southern

insect immigrants and it is probable that this is also the case with

Aedes atropalpus. Suitable habitats for the species occur at inter-

vals along the entire length of this river.

Grand County: Dewey, May 23, 1953 (J. R. Keller).

Aedes hexodontus Dyar

This species which closely resembles Aedes punctor in all

stages, is widely distributed in the mountains of northern Utah,

occurring in both the Wasatch and Uintah Mountain ranges. At

elevations above 8,000 feet it is one of the dominant Aedes species

and in many localities becomes a severe pest during the months of

June and July. The larvae have been found in a great diversity of

habitats in pools of all sizes, but seem to show a distinct preference

for shallow unshaded marshy pools containing Carex and grasses.

Great numbers of larvae, often almost in pure cultures, have been

found in such situations. The grass and Carex margins of perman-

ent ponds and lakes also seem to be a favored habitat.

It Utah the species is most commonly associated with Aedes

cataphylla, Aedes communis, Aedes excrucians, and Aedes pullatus.

Aedes hexodontus has been collected in the following localities

during June and July.

Duchesne County: Grandaddy Lake, Mirror Lake. Salt Lake County:

Alta, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton. Sanpete County: Skyline Drive

(Manti Canyon and Ephraim Canyon Summits). Summit County: Henry’s

Fork Lake, Trial Lake, Wall Lake. Uintah County: Paradise Park Reservoir.

Wasatch County: Camp Cloud Rim, Soapstone Ranger Station.

January, 1955] leech — cyphon robustus

Aedes schizopinax Dyar

This rare species had previously been reported only from

Madison and Gallatin Counties of Montana and Mammoth Hot

Springs, Wyoming (Mail, 1934) . Its presence in northern Utah

is a considerable southern extension of its range and probably

indicates a much wider distribution in the western United States

than was suspected from its prior limited distribution records.

Larvae were collected in overflow pools along a small stream and in

several pasture pools filled by irrigation water. The immature

stages of this species never have been encountered in large num-

bers. They have been found associated with Aedes cataphylla,

Aedes cinereus, Aedes increpitus and Aedes fitchii.

Summit County: Chalk Creek, May 27, 1950. Wasatch County: Hailstone,

April 18, 1948; May 6, 1950.

LITERATURE CITED

Carpenter, S. J., W. W. Middlekauff and R. W. Chamberlain

1946. The mosquitoes of the southern United States east of Oklahoma

and Texas, The Univ. Press, Notre Dame, Ind., May, 1946. pp.

220-223.

Mail, A. G.

1934. The mosquitoes of Montana. Montana State College Agr. Exp.

Sta. Bull. No. 288. pp. 37—38.

Rees, D. M.

1934. Mosquito records from Utah. Pan-Pac. Ent., 10:161—165.

1942. Supplementary list of mosquito records from Utah. Pan-Pac. Ent.,

18:77-82.

1943. The mosquitoes of Utah. Bull. Univ. of Utah. Vol. 33, No. 7.

1944. A new mosquito record from Utah. Pan-Pac. Ent., 20:19.

Rees, D. M. and L. T. Nielsen

1951. Four new mosquito records from Utah. Pan-Pac. Ent., 27:11—12.

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

A NEW GENUS FOR CYPHON ROBUSTUS LECONTE

( Coleoptera :Helodidae )

Hugh B. Leech

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

Since its original description in 1875, Cyphon rohustus LeConte

has been retained in the genus Cyphon Paykull. However, it is not

a Cyphon and does not fit any genus recorded from the Nearctic

region, nor any described genus known to me.

Sarabandus Leech, new genus

Form oblong-oval, facies of Elodes (i.e. of such species as E.

fuscipennis Guerin and E. inornatus Lewis), and somewhat of

Microcara and Pseudomicrocara.

Yiead nearly vertical in repose, hidden by pronotum in dorsal view;

mandibles simple, very broad, narowed and sharply pointed at apex, with a

vague angulation near middle of inner margin, not toothed; labial palpi

short, terminal segment glabrous, subcylindrical, a little longer than penulti-

mate segment and arising from its apex; maxillary palpi moderately slender,

terminal segment subcylindrical and a little longer than penultimate.

Pronotum bisinuate basally, almost evenly semicircular anteriorly without

indication of front angles, continuous margin of sides and front slightly re-

flexed. Prosternum narrow before front coxae, triangular between them

basally, thence suddenly lower and blade-like, the short blade barely reach-

ing mesosternum and hidden by contiguous apices of coxae. Mesosternal

process narrow, reaching to about midpoint of middle coxae, not contacting

metasternum; middle coxae normally contiguous apically; hind coxae con-

tiguous. First segment of hind tarsi rounded above, not laterally margined;

second segment not produced posteriorly, not hiding part of third.

Type of the genus: Cyphon rohustus LeConte, 1875.

Sarabandus is separable from all described New World genera

by the following combination of characters : hind femora much like

those of front and middle legs, not greatly enlarged for leaping;

mesosternal process short, narrow, not contacting metasternum,

middle coxae thus able to be in contact in apical half ; first segment

of hind tarsi rounded above, not laterally margined. It resembles

Cyphon in that the terminal segment of the labial palpus arises

from the end of the penultimate segment, but differs in mesosternal

characters, non-dentate mandibles, and shape of the pronotum. It

is most closely allied to the Australian genus Pseudomicrocara

Armstrong, 1953, but differs from this in its contiguous middle

coxae, and shorter, pointed mesosternal process.

I am indebted to J. W. T. Armstrong for examples of Pseudo-

microcara of which I have studied two species.

January, 1955 ]

PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOC.

PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

W. C. Day J. Gordon Edwards D. D. Jensen

Vice-President President Secretary

Proceedings

Two Hundred and Thirty-fourth Meeting

The two hundred and thirty-fourth meeting of the Pacihc Coast En-

tomological Society was held at 7:30 p.m. on Eriday, February 5, 1954, in the

Morrison Auditorium of the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

President Edwards conducted the meeting. The following members were

present: Owen Bryant, H. B. Leech, K. S. Hagen, P. D. Hurd, Lee A. Wood,

P. H. Arnaud, Ryuichi Matsuda, W. C. Day, V. D. Roth, J. W. Green, E. S.

Ross, E. 0. Essig, D. P. Furman, J. W. MacSwain, W. W. Middlekauff,

D. J. Burdick, B. F. Eldridge, George Reichart, C. W. Hildebrand, H. H.

Meyer, Hilary Hacker, T. S. Briggs, W. A. Doalin, E. L. Kessel, E. I.

Schlinger, R. C. Bechtel, W. D. Murray, W. H. Lange, D. D. Jensen, and J. G.

Edwards. Visitors were present as follows: Mrs. W. C. Day, R. Duncan Cuyler,

M. Pitman, S. J. Carpenter, Lorelei Carpenter, Robert Langsten, James W.

Chapman, Mrs. George Reichart, D. W. Walther, Albert A. Grigarick, Dana

McLellan, and Mrs. Don Murray.

The minutes of the meeting held November 28, 1953, were read and

approved.

The following were elected to full membership in the Society: Dr. John

A. Chapman, Mr. L. E. Campos, and Mr. M. R. Wiemann. Vincent D. Roth

and Bruce Eldridge were elected to student membership.

President Edwards appointed Paul Arnaud, Dr. > Hurd and Dr. Ross to

serve as a committee to select a site and make arrangements for the annual

field meeting which will be held May 2.

Dr. Ross reported that the auditing committee had found the financial

records of the Society in good condition.

Under the heading of new business. Dr. MacSwain suggested three

changes in the handling of notes and exhibits which he thought might im-

prove the present system. First that each individual, presenting a note or

exhibit, prepare a brief statement as he wishes it to appear in the published

proceedings of the society and turn this statement over to the secretary at the

close of the meeting. Secondly that a slip of paper bearing the name of the

individual and the nature of the note or exhibit be given to the chairman

prior to the start of the meeting in order that the chairman might then call

for the items in the order which he considers appropriate. Thirdly that the

secretary in reading the portion of the minutes concerned with the notes and

exhibits be empowered to refer to them solely by author and subject. In the

discussion following the presentation of these proposals. Dr. MacSwain

emphasized that these proposals were not intended to be strict rules and that

many extemporaneous notes and comments were most welcome and could be

handled as they have been in the past. The purpose of these proposals was

to remove something of the awkwardness of the present system and to reduce

the burden of the secretary. Dr. Edwards then suggested that these proposals

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

be introduced as a motion, following which the motion was seconded and

unanimously passed.

In response to the President’s call for notes and exhibits, Dr. Jensen

reported that on July 29, 1953, in company with Paul Cook, a field of straight

neck squash was found 6 miles north west of Yuba City, Calif., in which the

western striped cucumber beetle, Acalymma trivittata (Mannerheim) , oc-

curred in moderate numbers. This insect has been shown by Dr. Freitag to

be the vector of squash mosaic virus. On November 9, the field was revisited

with Dr. Freitag. The population of beetles had increased to the point that

several hundred were caught hy sweeping the vines for approximately 1 hour.

On December 29 the field was found to have been plowed. However, examina-

tion of several large valley oak trees growing around the field revealed that

the beetles had congregated in tremendous numbers in the cracks of the

bark and' under the bark in places where it had been broken and permitted

entry. They were most abundant in the deeper but narrower crevices. They

seemed to be gregarious because only rarely did they occur singly or even in

pairs. In a single crevice, numbers ranging from 10 to over 100 might occur

with none being found in adjacent cracks. Five hundred beetles were collected

with an aspirator in 15-20 minutes. The beetles also occurred around the

base of the trees | under leaves, rocks and litter. However, they were much

less abundant here than on the tree itself. The beetles were also common

in the cracks of telephone poles in the vicinity.

On February 2, 1954, Dr. Freitag, Dr. Ray Smith and Dr. Jensen visited

the area again. Although most of the beetles had left the litter around the

trees, their numbers on the oak trees seemed to be undiminished. They were

on the trunks of the trees up to 1.7 miles from the field, but were not found

four to five miles distant near the Sutter Buttes.

When disturbed the beetles immediately became active. The temijerature

was 50° F.

No western spotted cucumber beetles, Diabrutica undecim punctata un-

decim punctata (Mannerheim) occurred on the trees, but they were active in

low numbers on the winter mustard.

Dr. Edwards urged the members to support the Coleoperist’s Bulletin

which is in danger of being discontinued because of inadequate financing.

Two sets of excellent colored slides were shown depicting living spiders

and insects. Mr. Vincent Roth projected pictures taken of spiders in their

natural habitats and Dr. Ross showed slides of Epihemhix, the sand wasp,

and its dipterous parasites, taken at Antioch, Calif.

Dr. Edwards then introduced Dr. Paul D. Hurd, of the University of

California, Berkeley, who spoke on “The Nature and Extent of the Insect

Fauna of Northern Alaska.” Dr. Hurd’s interesting account, which was ac-

companied by pictures of the region studied, is summarized below.

The insect fauna at Pt. Barrow, Alaska, because it represents the north-

ernmost occurrence on the North American continent, presents an excellent

opportunity for analysis and evaluation. Apart from its geographic location,

the fauna is so constituted, owing to the limited ecological situation available

for occupancy, that the roles of its various components may be interrelated

and interpreted in terms of the environment. The physical aspects of the

January, 1955]

PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOC.

environment such as topography, climate, and radiation, combined with biotic

influences, have set the stage in such a manner that many of the major groups

of insects (orders) are either unable to meet the requirements of their

economies and hence are not present, or if present, only smaller groups

(generally families, or often only species) have managed to derive their

economy.

Dr. Hurd’s talk was followed by a short discussion before the meeting

was adjourned. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Thirty-fifth Meeting

The two hundred and thirty-fifth meeting of the Pacific Coast En-

tomological Society was held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 6, 1954, in the

Morrison Auditorium of the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

President Edwards conducted the meeting. The following members were

present: F. E. Skinner, R. L. Doutt, K. S. Hagen, J. J. Drea, W. Thomsen,

E. E. Gilbert, A. E. Michelbacher, E. 0. Essig, Hilary Hacker, R L. Usinger,

G. F. Ferris, L. R. Gillogly, P. S. Bartholomew, D. G. Denning, W. C. Day,

T. S. Briggs, P. A. Harvey, E. S. Ross, K. F. Innes, Jr., G. M. Cagley, C.

Kaufeldt, W. Hovanitz, J, W. Green, R. C. Miller, Otto W. Graf, Jr., J. W.

Tilden, Laura Henry, H. B. Leech, Otto H. Swezey, J. G. Edwards, and D. D.

Jensen. Visitors were present as follows: Mrs. Otto H. Swezey, Mrs. Lorin

R. Gillogly, Alan Gillogly, James Gillogly, David Bartholomew, Grace Bar-

tholomew, H. L. Day, James W. Chapman, and Loretta Denning.

The minutes of the meeting held February 5, 1954 were read and

approved.

Lt. Carl L. Spear was elected to membership in the Society.

Dr. Usinger explained the financial problem confronting the Interim

Secretariat of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature and

reported that the Executive Board of the Society had authorized a subsidy

in the amount of |50.00 for the Interim Secretariat.

In response to the President’s call for notes and exhibits. Dr. Ross dis-

played living honey ants (repletes) which he had collected at Antioch

March 5, 1954.

Mr. Leech said that he had reared the weevil T richomagdalis conspersus

Fall from dead branches of scrub oak (Quercus wislizeni) at Mill Valley,

Marin County, California, and the malachiid Anthocomus franciscanus (Fall)

from dying wild lilac ( Ceanothus thyrsifiorus) infested with scolytids of the

genus Micracis, also at Mill Valley.

Dr. Edwards exhibited larvae and 40 adults of Ochthebius vandykei from

the intertidal zone at Moss Beach.

Dr. Usinger called attention to the fact that although it has been assumed

for many years that there are five species of Abedus (Belostomatidae) in

California, critical examination of the material indicates there is only a

single species in the state.

President Edwards introduced Dr. Otto H. Swezey, retired former chief

entomologist of. the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Experiment Station, who spoke

on the subject, “Some Aspects of the Endemic Insect Fauna of Hawaii.” Dr.

Swezey’s talk, which was illustrated with slides, is summarized below.

It is generally known that the islands of the Hawaiian Group in mid-

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

Pacific are of volcanic origin, having been built up from the ocean floor by

outpourings of lava from rift’s in the earth’s crust at sea bottom.

The endemic insect fauna has been produced by the operation of “Evo-

lution of Species” from chance immigrants that arrived after the islands had

become covered by vegetation. The high mountains of the main islands rise

to elevations of 3,000 to 13,000 feet, and the slopes of the mountains are

forested, except above about 8,000 feet. Many thousands of years resulted in

the evolution of about 4,000 species of insects from the chance immigrants,

and they are so different that it can not be determined from what regions

they came.

The Kamehameha butterfly, Vanessa tammeamea, is an example of a

species which has undoubtedly been present too short a time for the develop-

ment of a series of species. This butterfly occurs on all of the forested islands,

its spiny caterpillars feeding on the widely-distributed tree, Pipturus (or

“mamake”), the bark of which was used by the Hawaiians in making their

“tapa” cloth.

However, there are many genera in the various orders which are com-

posed of many species apparently evolved from an immigrant species that had

become established.

Among geometrid moths the genus Scotorythra has 34 species. Some of

these occur only on a single island; and for most of those whose habits are

known, their caterpillars feed on only one kind of tree.

The genus Omiodes in Pyraustidae has 21 species, each attached to a

particular food plant; 5 of them on grasses; 3 on sedges; 6 on wild banana;

3 on Astelia; one on Joinvillea; one on Erythrina; one on Vaccinium; one

on native palms in the mountains.

Phlyctaenia, another genus of Pyraustidae, has 24 species, and each, so

far as known, has its own preferred food plant.

Hyposmocoma, a genus of Hyponomeutidae, has about 200 species. They

are small moths with colorful wing patterns, whose habits are not thoroughly

known, but the caterpillars of a good many of them live in cases on the bark

of trees, feeding mostly on lichens. The caterpillars of a number of others

are without cases and feed in dead twigs, etc.

In Cerambycidae, the genus Plagithmysus has 37 species. The larvae are

tree-borers, and each species is attached to a particular kind of tree. Some

kinds of trees have more than one species of borer attached to it, and the

species are different on the different islands, i.e., no species occurs on more

than one island.

The genus Neoclytarlus, in the same family, has 25 species, and they also

are each attached to a particular tree, and each occurs on only one island.

The genus Nesotocus, in Curculionidae, is a large, elongate weevil with a

long projected snout. It has 4 species, each on a separate island. The larvae

are large, footless grubs which feed in and beneath the thick bark of

Cheirodendron trees when the trees are in an unhealthy or dying condition,

or in dead branches.

Rhyncogonus is a genus of leaf-feeding weevils whose larvae occur in the

ground and feed on roots. There are 20 species, two of which are restricted

January, 1955 ]

PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOC.

to food plants. Most of the others are rare and the host-plants are not known.

Each species is on a single island.

Oodemas is a genus of roundish or oval, shiny weevils with about 50

species. The larvae feed in dead stems, especially of woody plants having

copious pith. They are not particular as to host plant, but the majority of

the species occur each on a single island.

Proterhinus is the only genus in the family Aglycyderidae. There are

about 150 species, varying in size from 2 to 6 mm. They are wingless and the

antennae are not elbowed, thus differing from the Curculionidae. So far as

known, the species are mostly restricted to particular host plants. The larvae

feed in and under bark in dead or dying twigs and in dead fern fronds. Three

species are leaf-miners.

In the family Anobiidae, there are two genera, Xyletobius and Miro-

sternus, with very numerous species. They are very small beetles whose larvae

feed in dead twigs and branches, and not much is known as to food plant

restrictions. Many species are so similar that they are separated only with

great difficulty. Apparently the species are not yet sufficiently established.

Nesoprosopis is a genus of small endemic bees with 52 species, the

species being different on the different islands.

Odynerus is a genus of wasps with about a hundred species. They store

caterpillars for larval food in hollow stems, exit holes where borers have

issued from trees, and cavities in porous lava rocks. The species are different

on the different islands.

These are some of the prominent examples of the many genera in the

endemic insect fauna of the Hawaiian Islands, in which over long periods of

time and isolation, numerous species have been evolved.

Following Dr. Swezey’s address, the meeting was adjourned. — D. D.

Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Thirty-sixth Meeting

The two hundred and thirty-sixth meeting of the Pacific Coast En-

tomological Society was held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 2, 1954, in the

Morrison Auditorium of the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

President Edwards conducted the meeting. The following members were

present: E. 0. Essig, A. E. Michelbacher, P. D. Hurd, H. B. Leech, Tom S.

Briggs, W. C. Day, F. E. Skinner, E. S. Ross, R. L. Usinger, G. F. Ferris,

Laura M. Henry, P. H. Arnaud, L. R. Gillogly, D. D. Jensen, J. G. Edwards,

W. H. Lange, and E. I. Schlinger. Visitors were present as follows: Grace

Hurd, Helen Day, G. L. Downing, Robert Z. Callaham, E. C. Clark, C. B.

Eaton, Stephen Hitchcock, James Gillogly, Mrs. Lorin Gillogly, and Alan

Gillogly.

The minutes of the meeting held March 6, 1954, were read and approved.

Mr. Lewis T. Nielsen and Mr. R. E. Darby were elected to membership

in the Society.

Dr. Hurd reported that the annual field meeting of the Society would be

held at Russelman Park, Contra Costa County.

In response to the President’s call for notes and exhibits, Mr. Gillogly

exhibited a dipterous pupa of the family Clythiidae (Platypezidae) collected

by James Gillogly under the bark of a pine log in the Berkeley hills, March

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

25, 1954. Its identity is still uncertain, but it resembles the genus Cleona.

Mr. Leech reported that he had reared the following beetles lately:

Cerambycidae :

Holopleura marginata LeConte from dead Umhellularia calij arnica

at Mill Valley, Marin County, California.

Poecilobrium. chalybaeum. (LeConte) and Neoclytus balteatus Le-

Conte from wild lilac (Ceanothus thyrsifiorus) at Mill Valley.

Phymatodes aeneus LeConte and Callimius ruficollis (Le Conte)

from scrub oak (Quercus wislizeni) at Mill Valley.

Grammoptera molybdica LeConte from dead buckeye (Aesculus cali-

fornica) from Redwood Creek two miles south of Muir Woods,

Marin County, California.

Anobiidae:

Xarifa lobata Fall from dead willow (Salix sp.), Redwood Creek.

Hedobia granosa LeConte from dead oak ( Q. wislizeni) at Mill

Valley, and dead willow (Salix sp.) at Muir Beach.

Colored slides were shown by Professor Essig of Pingree Park, Colorado,

by Dr. Edwards of Glacier National Park, and by Dr. Ross of a number of

different insects.

President Edwards introduced as the main speaker of the meeting, Mr.

Robert Z. Callaham, Forest Insect Laboratory, U. S. Forest Service, Berkeley,

who presented an illustrated talk, which is summarized below, entitled,

“Studying the Resistance of Hybrid Pines to Beetle Attack.”

Pines have been the subject of intensive genetic study during the past

three decades at the Institute of Forest Genetics, Placerville, California.

In 1946, studies of host resistance to insect attack were incorporated into

the research program at Placerville. At that time, Mr. John M. Miller of the

Berkeley Forest Insect Laboratory, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quaran-

tine, was asked to cooperate in testing pines for insect resistance.

The pine reproduction weevil, Cylindrocopturus eatoni Buch., was

selected for the initial studies. This weevil is responsible for the killing of

young ponderosa and Jeffrey pines in plantations in California. Miller forced

this insect to attack the many pine species available at the Institute, and he

soon found that pines exhibit both interspecific and intraspecific resistance

to this insect. This inherent resistance varies from complete immunity to a

very high degree of susceptibility. Hybrids between resistant and susceptible

pines usually were found to exhibit an intermediate degree of susceptibility.

In 1950, research efforts were directed toward determining the factors

which govern the resistance of pines to their most important insect enemies,

the Dendroctonus bark beetles. The results of these studies have led to the

formulation of two hypotheses: (1) that the interspecific resistance of pines

to Dendroctonus species is based on the kind of pitch which each species

produces, and (2) that the intraspecific resistance is based on the amount of

pitch which each individual tree produces. The validity of these two

hypotheses currently is under investigation.

After a discussion of Mr. Callaham’s report the meeting was adjourned.

~D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

January, 1955 ]

PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOC.

Two Hundred and Thirty-seventh Meeting

The annual field meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomological Society was

held at Russelman Park, Contra Costa County, May 22, 1954.

The recorded attendance of 54 persons included 21 members and 33

visitors. Members were present as follows: A. E. Michelbacher, E. 0. Essig,

Luciam Campos, R. M. Bohart, P. D. Hurd, E. S. Ross, D. D. Jensen, P. A.

Harvey, W. H. Lange, J. W. MacSwain, Jane MacSwain, E. G. Linsley, R. F.

Smith, R. Matsuda, P. H. Arnaud, Victor Stombler, W. C. Day, J. G.

Edwards, Otto Swezey, H. B. Leech, and J. E. Swift. The following visitors

were present: Marie Essig, Alicia de Campos, Margaret Bohart, Grace Hurd,

Geleste Green, Pat Devant, Mike Green, Kathleen Green, Kathy McNulty,

Mrs. E. S. Ross, Clark Ross, Anita Jensen, Diana Jensen, Doris Jensen,

Patricia Jensen, Carol Jensen, Esther Perry, Jim Linsley, Juanita Linsley,

Libby Smith, Mrs. W. C. Day, Margaret Arnaud, Alice Edwards, Mary Leech,

A1 Samulson, Mrs. 0. H. Swezey, Grace Walsh, Jeannette G. Walsh, Mrs.

Neil Pae, and Mrs. J. E. Swift.

The weather was ideal for outdoor activities and although some collecting

was done, most of the time was spent in playing softball, volleyball, and

in visiting. — D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Thirty-eighth Meeting

The two hundred and thirty-eighth meeting of the Pacific Coast En-

tomological Society was held at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 12, 1954, in

the Morrison Auditorium of the California Academy of Sciences, San Fran-

cisco. President Edwards conducted the meeting. The following members

were present: W. H. Lange, R. M. Bohart, A. E. Michelbacher, E. 0. Essig,

E. L. Kessel, L. R. Gillogly, R. F. Smith, E. G. Linsley, Jane MacSwain,

J. W. MacSwain, Donald D. Linsdale, D. J. Burdick, J. D. Lattin, W. C.

Bentinck, G. M. Cagley, R. C. Bechtel, Otto W. Graf, D. G. Denning, W. C.

Day, K. S. Hagen, P. D. Hurd, J. W. Tilden, G. F. Ferris, Laura M. Henry,

Tom S. Briggs, H. B. Leech, J. G. Edwards, and D. D. Jensen. The following

visitors were present: Marie Essig, Martha Michelbacher, Mrs. Lorin R.

Gillogly, James J. Gillogly, Alan R. Gillogly, Libby Smith, Juanita Linsley,

R. D. Cuyler, R. 0. Schuster, Marius S. Wasbauer, Ruth C. Wasbauer, A. A.

Grigarick, Owen Bryant, Grace Hurd, George Provin, and Mrs. W. C.

Bentinck.

The minutes of the meetings held April 2 and May 22, 1954, were read

and approved.

The following were elected to membership in the Society: Robert Rosen-

stiel, Corvallis, Oregon; William Hovanitz, San Francisco; Marius Wasbauer,

Berkeley; Gordon Samuelson, Concord, California; and Ryosuke Ishikawa,

Japan.

President Edwards announced that the annual meeting of the Society

would be held at 2 p.m., Depemher 4, 1954, and that the Society, together

with the Society of Systematic Zoology, will cosponsor two sessions for con-

tributed papers at the national meetings of the American Association for the

Advancement of Science which will be held on the campus of the University

of California at Berkeley during the last week of December, 1954.

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

President Edwards appointed Professor Ferris, Dr. Kessel, and Dr.

MacSwain to serve as a nominating committee to propose a slate of officers

for 1955 at the annual meeting in December.

Dr. Hurd reported that the Society’s second Memoir, “The Revision of

the Spider Mite Family, Tetranychidae” by A. E. Pritchard and E. W. Baker,

is now in the galley proof stage and should be off the press late in December

or early in January, 1955.

The president and secretary briefly discussed some of the hnancial

problems involved in publication of the second Memoir.

In response to the President’s call for notes and exhibits, Mr. Gillogly

presented the following note on the food habits of Pocadius fulvipennis

Erichson, a nitidulid beetle which eats only puffball spores, and Platydemia

oregonense LeConte, a tenebrionid beetle which was found in fungi but

which has been reared on breakfast cereal. The Pocadius beetles were found

near Marshall in Marin County last Spring. The larvae and adults eat only

the spores of puffballs. Two species of puffballs grew on the pastures near

Tomales Bay: Calvatia maxima and Lycoperdon pyriforme, and the beetles

were found in each kind. Since then we have found miniature puffballs in

our lawn, and the beetles accept these also.

The cultivated white-button mushrooms which we bought for the beetles

were practically ignored. The beetles did not appear to relish them, and did

not rear larvae in them. Field mushrooms and bracket fungi were not suitable

either. There are not sufficient spores to support the nitidulid larvae. We set

up trial jars with various other foods: wheat flour, rice flour, corn flakes,

crushed oat cereal. The experiments were carried on for several months.

Beetles living on water alone did as well as those in either of these other

jars, for the beetles are apparently obligate puffball feeders.

In contrast, the tenebrionid, Platydema oregonense, although found or-

iginally in fungi in the forest, have shown a liking for various prepared

cereals, with a great preference for “Cheerios”. It has now been a year since

our colony of Platydema has been without the host fungus, Polyporus volvatus,

but they continue to rear larvae on “Cheerios” and water.

Dr. Tilden exhibited two beetles of the buprestid genus Hippomelas, and

one beetle of the family Rhipiphoridae, which he had taken hovering over

flowers of Eriogonum, in the Arroyo Bayo region east of Mt. Hamilton, Santa

Clara County.

Mr. Day reported that during the spring and summer of 1954, he and

Mrs. Day had collected some unusually interesting mayflies. They collected

a good series of three species that are certainly new in North America north

of Mexico. One of these, of very unusual appearance in the nymphal form,

is apparently identical with an unnamed immature nymph from Brazil

described by Traver as “Baetine No. 1.” The reared imago from California

indicates an aberrant form of Baetis. The other two species propably belong

to two different genera — both have been reared and seem most closely allied

to Cloeodes, described by Traver from Puerto Rico. Both genera have dip-

terous adults and belong to the highly specialized subfamily, Baetinea.

Dr. Kessel projected a series of excellent kodachrome slides showing

January, 1955]

PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOC.

pictures of insects photographed in Marin County and an unusually large

red mite collected in the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs by

Mr. Thomas Briggs.

Dr. Edwards exhibited a bottle of water containing living adults of

Amphizoa leconlei which were collected in Glacier National Park, Montana.

They were on a submerged stick in a cold, rapid mountain stream, which is

their customary habitat. It is interesting that since they were collected in

August and placed in this jar, they have remained alive for three months

without food, without cold water, and without oxygenation of the water.

Every 2 or 3 weeks the water is changed and immediately thereafter the

beetles become temporarily more active. Attempts to feed them have failed,

although beetles and larvae of this species feed well in captivity during July

and August in Montana. This species does not occur in California, but is

frequent in Montana, Idaho, Utah, British Columbia, and Washington. Dr.

Edwards is considering the advisability of stocking a small stream in the

Santa Cruz Mountains with them to see if they can survive under those

conditions. The bubble at the tip of the abdomen is not obtained from the

surface, but appears only after a minute or two of submergence, and is

believed to be CO 2 . Normally these beetles remain submerged for only 4 or

5 minutes, but one remained alive for almost two hours under water when

prevented from floating to the surface.

Dr. Edwards also called attention to a new book entitled “The Language

of Taxonomy” written by John Gregg.

Dr. Michelbacher reported that in October, 1954, maggots were observed

seriously infesting the husks of English walnuts in Sonoma County. Some of

the infested nuts were sent to J. E. Swift, Extension Entomologist, who

turned the material over to Dr. Paul Hurd. Maggots that emerged were sent

by Dr. Hurd to Dr. P. W. Oman, of the National Museum, for determination.

They were identified by Dr. R. H. Foote as Rhagoletis sp., possibly juglandis

(Cresson). The latter is the walnut husk fly, a serious pest of walnuts in

southern California. It is a most difficult insect to control and has not been

reported from northern California. At the present time all specimens have

pupated. If the insect proves to be the walnut husk fly, it is hoped that

climatic conditions may be such as to limit it as a pest.

Dr. MacSwain exhibited a box of insects collected in Mexico during the

past summer. The major portion consisted of about 500 females of a number

of nocturnal species of mutillids and tiphiids, which had been collected in a

single day in a canyon five miles west of Parrita in Chihuahua. In addition

were three females of the cucurbit — visiting bee Xenoglossa fulva Smith,

whose nesting habits had been studied in an area 11 miles southwest of

Acambaro, Guano juato, Mexico.

Dr. Edwards introduced Dr. Larry Lange, University of California, Davis,

as the main speaker of the meeting. Dr. Lange’s talk dealt with aquatic

Lepidoptera, particularly certain groups occurring in California. This is a

field which has received relatively little attention in the past.

The subfamily Nymphulinae of the family Pyralidae includes a group

of moths which have successfully and in devious ways made the change from

a terrestrial to an aquatic environment. The Nymphulinae as usually

THE FAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 1

designated includes almost 100 genera and over 1,000 species, some aquatic,

but many terrestrial. It appears that many are included in the subfamily only

for convenience and do not constitute a group showing common phylogenetic

relationships. In North America, our species have been included mostly in

the genera Nymphula and Cataclysta, but it now appears that they are

probably not properly placed if we take into account certain differences in

male and female genitalia and wing venation. At the present time six species

of aquatic moths are known from California, but unidentified larvae would

indicate that there are additional species. The work to date suggests that a

major revision of the genera is necessary in order to accommodate our

western species, and that much biological and distributional data remain

to be collected.

Following a discussion of Dr. Lange’s report, the meeting was adjourned.

— D. D. Jensen, Secretary.

Two Hundred and Thirty-ninth Meeting

The annual meeting of the Pacific Coast Entomological Society was held

at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 4, 1954, in the Morrison Auditorium of

the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco. President Edwards con-

ducted the meeting. The following members were present: P. D. Hurd, Jr.,

W. C. Day, E. L. Kessel, H. B. Leech, R. C. Miller, W. W. Middlekauff, E. 0.

Essig, W. A. Doalin, Laura M. Henry, G. F. Ferris, R. Matsuda, William

Hovanitz, J. W. Green, J. W. Tilden, J. D. Lattin, E. A. Smith, Berta Kessel,

Otto Graf, Jr., F. E. Skinner, William Barr, K. S. Hagen, J. W. MacSwain,

and D. D. Jensen. Visitors were present as follows: G. Provin, R. D. Cuyler,

Mrs. W. C. Day, Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, C. W. Sharsmith, Peter

Westigard, Alberta Woodworth, Alice Edwards, Jane Anne Edwards, Dorothy

M. Ellis, F. Albert Ellis, Wm. Tamerlane, Lawrence Saylor, R. D. Schuster,

R. G. Pisano, Ronald Hanley, Phyllis Baumann, Susan Westerbach, Samuel

Carpenter, Margaret C. Irwin, Orlando Park, Geo. Hopping, and M. L.

Prebble.

The minutes of the meeting held November 12, 1954, were read and

approved.

The following were elected to membership in the Society: George Strubel,

Charles B. Eaton, and Stephen Hitchcock.

Mr. Leech, chairman of the auditing committee, reported that the

Society’s financial records had been found in good order.

Dr. Miller, reported on the financial standing of the Society as of

November 30, 1954.

Dr. Kessel showed a moving picture, entitled, “A Collection of Insects

in Motion”, which he had made of local insects for use in television work.

Part of the film was in black and white and part in color. The results of

his work indicate that moving pictures can provide a valuable medium for

the presentation of insect life to the general public.

The nominating committee, consisting of Professor Ferris, Dr. Kessel,

and Dr. MacSwain, proposed the following as officers of the Society during

1955: W. C. Day, President; H. B. Leech, Vice-president; D. D. Jensen,

Secretary; R. C. Miller, Treasurer; Donald Denning, Member at Large.

January, 1955 ]

PACIFIC COAST ENT. SOC.

The chairmanship of the meeting was then turned over to Mr. Day who

called on Dr. Edwards to give his retiring presidential address entitled, “An

Entomologist Considers the Ecology of Glacier National Park.”

Dr. Edwards’ address was illustrated with excellent kodachrome slides

depicting the natural beauty of Glacier Park and showing the areas he

considered of primary entomological interest.

Following Dr. Edwards’ report the meeting was adjourned. — D. D.

Jensen, Secretary.

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Vel. XXXI APRIL, 1955 No. 2

THE

Pan-Pacific Entomologist

CONTENTS

LEE — The biology of the Mexican chicken bug, Haematosiphon

inodorus (Duges) 47

LEECH — Emergence of the cicada Okanagana tristis Van Duzee 61

LINSLEY — Notes and descriptions of some species of CrossidiuSu 63

GURNEY — Further notes on Iris oratoria in California 67

MATSUDA — The morphological and taxonomic significance of the

basal abdominal segments in the Hemiptera-Heteroptera 73

LATTIN — The eggs of Corimelaena virilis (McAttee and Malloch) 75

CLAUSEN — Releases of recently imported insect parasites and

predators in California, 1952-53 77

LEECH — Records of water beetles from Manchuria and Siberia 80

ANDERSON — Jurupa Entomology Club 82

JAMES — A new tachina fly of economic importance 83

WILLIAMS — A new species of wasp of the genus Solierella from

southern California 85

SLEEPER — New rhyncophora from western United States 87

WASBAUER — Observations on the biology of Anoplius fulgidus Cresson.. 90

BOOK REVIEW 86

ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE 62

SAN FRANCISCO. CALIFORNIA • 1955

Pablishtd by lln PACIFIC COAST ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY

la m/\nmrntlf\a utlfh THE CAI IPORKIIA A(^AnCkiV C^ICIkloec

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

EDITORIAL BOARD

E. G. Linsley P. D. Hurd, Jr., Editor R. L. Usincer

E. S. Ross H. B. Leech

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

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

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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 addressed

to Dr. P. D. Hurd, Jr., at 112 Agricultural Hall, University of California, Berkeley 4,

Calif. All communications regarding non-receipt of numbers, changes of address,

requests for sample copies, and all financial communications should be addressed

to the treasurer. Dr. R. C. Miller, at the California Academy of Sciences, San

Francisco 18, Calif.

Domestic and foreign subscriptions, $4.00 per year in advance. Price for single

copies, $1.00. Make checks payable to "Pan-Pacific Entomologist."

Announcing • • •

REVISION OF THE SPIDER MITE FAMILY

TETRANYCHIDAE

hy A. Earl Pritchard and Edward W. Baker

This world-wide treatment (488 pp., 330 figures) of the “Red

Spiders” is the second volume in the Memoirs Series of the Pacific

Coast Entomological Society. Each species is beautifully illustrated

in the inimitable style of E. W. Baker. The work deals with the

systematics, identification, and economics of the “Red Spiders”.

Synoptic keys have been prepared, descriptions are presented for

all species including the major agricultural pests, and thirty -three

species are described as new.

Publication date — ^June, 1955, Price $10,00.

Send orders to : Treasurer, Pacific Coast Entomological Society,

California Academy of Sciences, Golden Gate Park 18, San

Francisco.

Entered as second class matter, February 10, 1925, at the post office at

San Francisco, under act of August 24, 1912.

The Pan-Pacific Entomologist

Vol. XXXI April, 1955 No. 2

THE BIOLOGY OF THE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG,

HAEMATOSIPHON INODORUS (DUCES)

(Hemiptera: Cimicidae)

Robert D. Lee

Department of Entomology

School of Tropical and Preventive Medicine

Loma Linda, California

Since its description in 1892 by Duges, little has been done

with the Mexican poultry bug, Haemato siphon inodorus. Few local-

ity records have been given for this species although Usinger

( 1947 ) mentioned that it is a common poultry pest found through-

out the southwestern United States and Mexico. According to

collection notes to be cited later and according to the observations

of Townsend (1893) and others, colonies of H. inodorus may be-

come quite numerous and troublesome. It is hoped that the follow-

ing study will aid in the knowledge and control of this species.

The writer wishes to express his appreciation to Dr. Robert L.

Usinger, University of California at Berkeley, under whose guid-

ance this work was done. Special thanks are also due to Drs. Deane

P. Furman and William C. Reeves, of the University of California,

Berkeley, for their helpful advice and criticism of the project. To

Raymond E. Ryckman, School of Tropical and Preventive Medi-

cine, Loma Linda, California, goes my heartfelt thanks for his

unfailing interest and help in making this study possible. For aid

in collecting material, credit must be given to R. E. Ryckman, C.

T. Ames, and K. Y. Arakawa. The author is indebted to Mrs. Frieda

Abernathy for making the plate of H. inodorus and to Dr. 1. Barry

Tarshis for the photograph used in this paper. The School of

Tropical and Preventive Medicine, Loma Linda, California, granted

the author a one-year leave of absence for graduate study during

which this work was done.

Methods

Haematosiphon inodorus showed a reluctance to feed and ovi-

posit from a few days to several weeks after being brought from

the field to the laboratory. The colony as a whole was allowed to

feed every three to five days and was maintained in an incubator

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

at about 25.5-29.0° C. and 58 to 64 per cent relative humidity.

Before any quantitative records were taken, the colony was estab-

lished until the insects seemed to be laying eggs in what was thought

to be a normal manner.

The bugs were kept in straight walled jars approximately 5%

inches high and 1% inches in diameter or in shell vials principally

of two sizes: 2 inches high by I /2 inch in diameter; 2% inches

high by % inches in diameter. The size of the container used was

determined by the number and age of the insects in the container.

The main colony was divided into a number of the ll/g inch

diameter jars. The openings of all of the containing units were

covered with rayon cloth consisting of 85 by 67 threads per inch.

This mesh was found satisfactory to keep first instars in and still

permit adults to feed through. The cloth was held in place by a

tight fitting rubber band. Masking tape was then put around both

the rubber band and the edge of the cloth to prevent any escape.

This feeding technique was suggested by Ryckman’s (1951) method

of feeding Triatominae.

Bugs in the largest units were supported by heavy blotter paper

in accordion-like folds extending the length of the jar. This sup-

plied the insects with a means of reaching the host during feeding

time and provided them with ample space on which to lay eggs.

For immature insects being kept separate from the main colony

and for most of those involved in special experiments, another type

of unit was found to be more satisfactory. A disk of blotter paper

was placed on the bottom of each of the smaller units, and no folded

paper reached the top. If the disk is made of the correct diameter,

it will fit snugly without slipping out. If a drop of melted paraflfin

is dropped on the bottom of the vial just before the disk is placed

in it, the security of the disk may be made more sure. Tbe reason

for this type of unit will be made clear below.

The principal laboratory host used was the chicken, and unless

otherwise indicated in the following experiments it will be assumed

that the chicken was the host used. The bird was secured for the

most part by merely tying its feet together. However, on occasion

it has been necessary to quiet the chicken by putting a hood over

its head or even tying its feet and wings to a board. The feeding

units were held inverted on an unfeathered area on the side of the

fowl by a ring stand and burette clamp. (See Figure I) . Those bugs

April, 1955]

LEE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG

having access to the chicken by the long folds of blotter paper

could go and feed or remain away as they pleased. The insects in

the smaller units containing disks of blotter paper were dropped

to the cloth covering before application to the bird by inverting

the vial and tapping it. This forced the insects to be close to the

skin of the host, being separated from it only by the cloth through

which they readily fed. This latter method proved highly successful

and increased greatly the percentage of bugs feeding. It was

especially adaptable to the youngest instars which had a tendency

to remain away from the animal when the bugs were in jars con-

taining folds of paper.

Fig. 1. Application of the colony rearing unit to the laboratory host for

feeding of Haematosiphon inodorus.

It was found that the bugs tended to feed better if the feeding

unit was covered with a cloth or paper before putting it in the

burette clamp thereby allowing the bugs to feed in at least partial

darkness. That darkness was not an absolute necessity is borne out

not only by laboratory evidence but by the observation of Ryckman

(personal communication) in which bugs were seen feeding on

nestling owls in ample light.

Systematics

In the original paper, Duges (1892) assigned inodorus to the

genus Cimex (=Acanthia) and remarked that it warranted sub-

generic recognition. In describing the adult, Duges erroneously

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

pointed out that it had no scent apparatus; he reasoned that the

absence of a scent gland was compensated for by the nimble action

and long rostrum of the bug.

Champion (1900) proposed the genus, Haemato siphon, for the

reception of inodora and stated that H. inodorus has a scent ap-

paratus, in contra-distinction to Duges’ findings. On the basis of

differences in the bristles, the proboscises, and the sterna, Jordan

and Rothschild (1912) divided the family Cimicidae into three

subfamilies, one of which was the newly recognized subfamily

Haematosiphoninae. Jordan (1922) noted in Haematosiphon the

dorso-medial position of the organ now verified as the organ of

Berlese. He suggested that the medial position is probably the

primitive one for this structure.

Although several workers have given descriptions of the adult,

no one has described the egg or all of the pre-adult instars. Town-

send (1893) described one of the later nymphal instars .A redescrip-

tion of both sexes of the adult and a description of the egg and all

the instars is here presented. The measurements given below in-

dicate the mean sizes of twenty-five freshly killed specimens.

Diagnostic Description. Contrary to what Matheson (1950)

and others have said, Haematosiphon inodorus is not a relatively

large bug. Instead it is considerably smaller than Cimex lectularius

Linneaus; it is somewhat similar in size to Oeciacus vicarius Horv.

H. inodorus is characterized by its broad head, long rostrum, sub-

contiguous mesocoxa and metacoxa, laterally margined elytra, and

dorsal organ of Berlese.

Detailed Description. Egg. (Plate 1, a.) Chorion white, unhatched egg

colored light hrown because of contents. Fine irregular pattern imprinted on

chorion; unlike regular geometric figures on Cimex lectularius chorion.

Length .883 mm. ; width at widest part .441 mm. ; diameter of ring about

operculum .261 mm. Operculum moderately smooth.

First Instar Nymph. (Plate 1, b.) Elongate-oval, flattened, sparsely

bristled. Overall body length 1.14 mm. ; abdomen width .517 mm.

Head triangular, somewhat rounded, proportion of width to length

25:: 16.5, head width .382 mm. Eyes about one-sixth as wide as interocular

space, 3::17. Antennae inserted slightly behind middle of anteocular space

on ventro-lateral aspect of head; fourth segment pointed apicaUy. Propor-

tion of antennal segments, 6:11:11:16.5. Rostral proportions, 15.5:12.5:13;

rostrum extending to posterior of middle coxae; overall length .619 mm.

Pronotum subrectangular, anterior concave, posterior convex, humeri

rounded, width .441 mm., ratio of length to width 12.5 ::30, bearing a single,

long bristle on each posterior corner, Mesonotum and metanotum less

April, 1955]

LEE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG

rectangular in shape, shorter than pronotum, also hearing single long bristle

on each posterior corner.

No indication of wing pads. First abdominal segment bearing single

long bristle on posterior corner similar to those on thoracic segments.

Plate I. Illustration of Haemato siphon inodorus: a) egg; b) first instar;

c) second instar; d) third instar; e) ventral aspect showing rostrum; f)

fourth instar; g) adult female; h) lateral view of disk on apical end of

male mesotibia and metatibia; i) male terminalia.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

Scattered bristles on venter, very few on dorsum, six long bristles extending

beyond tip of abdomen; spicules present on legs. Tarsi two segmented;

claws simple, curved. Small pads situated at base of claws.

Color uniformly pale amber except for bright ruby-red eyes.

Second Instar Nymph. (Plate 1, c.) Differing from preceding in follow-

ing respects: more robust than first instar nymph. Head width .450 mm.,

width to length proportion, 31::21. Proportion of antennal segments, 7:16:15:

19.5. Proportion of rostral segments, 19:17:18, overall length .727 mm.

Apparent first abdominal segment not bearing long bristle on posterior

corner. Overall body length 1.45 mm. ; abdomen width .770 mm. ; prothorax

width .564 mm.

Third Instar Nymph. (Plate 1, d.) Differing from preceding in following

respects : proportionately larger than previous instars. Head width .582 mm. ;

width to length proportion, 11::8. Proportion of antennal segments, 10:25

.5:21.5:23.5. Proportion of rostral segments, 26.5:21.5:24, overall length .983

mm. Prothorax width .775 mm; abdomen width 1.11 mm.; overall body

length 2.14 mm.

Fourth Instar Nymph. (Plate 1, f. ) Differing from preceding in fol-

lowing respects: proportionately larger than previous instars. Head width

.741 mm.; width to length proportion, 24.5:: 17.5. Proportion of antennal

segments, 13:34.5:24.5:25. Proportion of rostral segments, 15:13:14.5, overall

length 1.28 mm. Prothorax width 1.01 mm.; abdomen width 1.51 mm.;

overall body length 2.94 mm.

Adult Male. (Plate 1, i.) Elongate-oval, rather robust, surface polished,

partly covered with short appressed hairs.

Head, including eyes, broader than long, 26.5:: 19, .825 mm. in width,

somewhat pentagon shaped, tapering before eyes to front, broadly set into

prothorax. Clypeus rounded, tapering abruptly behind widest part and

attached in V-shaped invagination of head. Eyes one-fourth interocular

space, 4.5:: 18, quite prominent. Antennae inserted behind middle of ante-

ocular region, first segment somewhat globulose, third thinner than others,

fourth pointed apically. Proportion of segments, 5:18:12.5:12.5. Rostrum

extending to hind margin of mesosternum, approximately 1.44 mm. long,

rather slender, bearing scattered sub-erect, short hairs particularly on last

segment. Proportion of segments, 18:14:15.

Pronotum parallelogram shaped, a little more than twice as wide as

long, wider in front than behind, sides convex, anterior angles produced

beyond hind margin of head. Sides produced to plate-like border fringed

with row of short, curved, simple hairs; posterior angles bearing two long,

slightly curved bristles. Sparsely covered with short, appressed hairs, finely

punctate. Width of pronotum at widest point, 1.11 mm.

Front margin of hemelytra together form rounded, V-shaped line across

thorax, rounded behind. Hemelytra sloping laterally to form rounded, plate-

like process extended beyond pronotum, wider behind than in front.

Granular, with scattered, short hairs; row of long, slightly curved bristles

on lateral edge.

Coxae stout, mesocoxae and metacoxae subcontiguous, mesocoxae closer

together than metacoxae. Sparsely covered with short hairs. Ridge formed

April, 1955]

LEE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG

between meso- and metacoxae extending to fourth abdominal sternite.

Femora rather stout, clothed with short hairs. An oval disk bearing numerous

short hairs located on apical end of pro- and mesotibiae (Plate 1, h.) ; disk

appears from side to be a brush. Protarsi clothed with scattered hairs and

bristles; meso- and metatarsi also bearing spines, particularly at apical end.

Legs moderately long, tarsal claws simple and curved. Small, elongate pad

having V-shaped striations located between tarsal claws.

Abdomen of recently molted, unfed specimen 2.00 mm. wide. Overall

body length 3.34 mm. First abdominal segment longer than others. Posterior

margin of first tergite straight across body, those following slightly rounded

forward. Terminalia asymmetrical; penis directed to left side. Copulatory

organ slightly curved, fitted into groove that runs up to hind margin of

seventh sternite. Nearly all of first segment and posterior portion of other

principal abdominal segments rather coarsely punctate, with short, fine,

inconspicuous hairs. Tip of abdomen clothed with 30 to 50 long stiff hairs.

Long hairs of body dentate at tips.

Color description is of living specimen. Body walnut brown, hemelytra

white with brown lateral edges, legs and antennae amber, eyes red.

Adult Female. (Plate 1, g.) Differing from male in following respects:

abdomen more oval; general size somewhat larger. Head width to length

proportion slightly greater, 28.2 ::22, Head width .874 mm. Rostrum length

1.54 mm. Width of prothorax at widest point 1.18 mm.

Pro- and mesotibia lacking apical disks.

Abdomen width 2.27 mm.; body length 3.9 mm. Fifth tergite strongly

sinuated medially. Entrance to organ of Berlese located dorso-medially at

fifth segment. Tip of abdomen symmetrical. Abdominal sternites 1 to 5

medially sinuated.

In uncleared freshly killed or living specimens older than the

first instar nymph, bodies containing a green pigment may be

seen scattered about the internal organs. This pigment may be

that spoken of by Wigglesworth (1943) which results from a

series of changes in the hemoglobin of ingested blood.

Comparison of Head Widths. Taylor (1931), Forbes (1934),

Harries and Henderson (1938), and a number of others have used

and discussed Dyar’s rule in the study of changes in the head

widths of successive instars of various insects. Dyar (1890) and

others have shown that each instar of a given insect generally

shows a fairly definite percentage increase in head width. This has

been used with some degree of success to show the probable number

of instars a species should have. That is, if there is a large gap in

the head width range from one apparent instar to the next, it may

be suspected that an instar has been overlooked. The application

of Dyar’s principle to H. inodorus is briefly considered here.

Head width measurements were made of twenty-five individuals

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

of each preadult instar and both sexes of adults. The ranges for

these measurements are indicated in Table I and Figure 2. The

means, the standard deviations of the means, and the growth

quotients of the various age groups are also presented in Table I.

The specimens used for these measurements were selected from

groups being reared through from egg to adult. The groups were

examined approximately every forty-eight hours ; those individuals

which molted were separated from the rest and were either used

then for measurements of that particular instar or allowed to go

on to later instars and adults.

TABLE I. Measurements of head widths and study of the pro-

gressive development in size from instar to instar in H. inodorus.

Age

Group

Number Range in

Measured Size

Mean

Standard Growth

Deviation Quotient

Instar I

.356-.403 mm.

.382 mm.

±.0117

Instar II

.425-. 477 mm.

.450 mm.

±.0156

1.18

Instar III

.548-.616 mm.

.583 mm.

±.0183

1.30

Instar IV

.682-.806 mm.

.741 mm.

±.0311

1.27

Adult Male

.775-. 884 mm.

.825 mm.

± .0298

1.11

Adult Female

.791-.930 mm.

.874 mm.

± .0326

1.18

Average

1.21

When the logarithms of the means are plotted on coordinate

paper, as in Figure 3, they fall approximately in a straight line

and are fairly evenly spaced. The evidence indicates that Haemato-

siphon inodorus has but four preadult instars. This fact is also

shown in the study made of the life history of this species. All other

Cimicids and nearly all Hemiptera which have previously been

studied have five preadult instars.

Life History Studies

Seventy-six eggs were placed individually in as many vials so

that each specimen might be studied separately from its fellows;

this permitted a much more accurate tabulation of the results than

would have been possible otherwise. The vials contained disks of

blotter paper on the bottom and were covered with cloth as

described previously.

The eggs used were known to have been 48 hours old or less and

were checked for hatching every second day after they were placed

in the vials. On the second day after having hatched from the egg

or molting from the previous instar, the bugs were allowed to feed.

By thus waiting 48 hours after the period during which the insect

LOGARITHMS OF MEAN HEAD WIDTHS

April, 1955 ]

LEE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG

THIRD

INSTAR ADULT

HEAD WIDTHS IN MILLIMETERS

Fig. 2. Ranges of head widths of various instars of Haematosiphon

inodorus shown graphically.

AGE GROUP

Fig. 3. Plotting of the logarithms of the mean head widths of the

various instars of Haematosiphon inodorus.

,925

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

hatched or molted, it was generally found that the bug would feed.

There were exceptions as some individuals refused to feed for

longer periods of time. Although this increased the length of time

of the instar in which the individual hesitated to feed, it did not

seem to affect the length of time of subsequent instars. Once having

fed well in the “long” instar period, the bug generally progressed

normally. Long instar periods were most frequent in the first instar.

Out of seventy-six eggs started in the life history study, seventy-

two eggs or 94.7 per cent hatched. The average time required to

hatch was 5.1 days. The average number of days required to

develop from egg to adult was 36.5 days. The maximum was forty-

six days, and the minimum was thirty. A summary of the remaining

data of the life history study is presented in Table II.

TABLE 11. Summary of life history data.

Instar No. of Percentage No. Days Required No. died in

Individuals Molted to Molt each Instar

73.6%

Max.

Min.

Ave.

8.5

86.8%

7.8

III

93.7%

7.4

91.1%

8.3

Adults

Out of 474 newly molted adult H. inodoriis, 203 were females,

and 271 were males. This gives a percentage ratio of males to

females of 57.2::42.8. Although a still larger sample might change

the figures somewhat, the indications are that there is a slightly

greater percentage of males than females in newly molted, labor-

atory reared adults. Why there are more males than females is, as

yet, a matter of speculation.

Reuter (1913) suggested that bats were the original host to H.

inodorus and tried to substantiate this theory by stating that

chickens (the only host other than man known for this species)

were not native to the Western Hemisphere while the bugs were.

Usinger (1947) recorded for the first time collections of H.

inodorus from native hosts; they were the California condor, the

great horned owl, and two unidentified owls.

Specimens used in this study were taken from the nests of

barn owls, Tyto alba pratincola (Bonaparte) . The nests were

located ten to twelve feet from the top of a thirty-five foot bank

along the Santa Ana River, thirteen miles southwest of Riverside,

three-fourths of a mile northeast of Norco in Riverside County,

April, 1955]

LEE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG

California, at an elevation of about six hundred feet. The insects

were found concentrated in cracks and crevices of the soft soil

about the entrance and in the walls of the cave-like nests. From a

single nest 1,425 bugs were taken; from another nest 1,778 speci-

mens were collected. The bugs were by no means confined to the

actual nest or its immediate entrance but were taken in numbers

four to five feet and more away.

One of the first things the worker observes in handling H. in-

odorus is the swiftness with which the bugs, of all ages, move about.

H. inodorus is unable to climb a vertical, clean, glass wall. If,

however, the angle is decreased from 90 degrees, a point is reached

at which the insects are able to climb. The maximum angle which

the bugs are able to climb depends on their age group. With the

exception of the male adults, the younger the age group in which

a given individual is, the better able it is to climb the wall. Maxi-

mum ranges for the various instars and for both sexes of adults

were found to be: I, 45—49°; II, 40—44°; III, 32—36°; IV,

22—26°; adult female, 17—21°; adult male, 62—66°.

That the insects can climb at all on a clean glass wall is de-

pendent at least in part on the presence of a small pad at the

apical end of the last tarsal segment. The remarkable ability of the

adult males to climb the glass wall is due to the presence of an

additional “climbing organ” located on the apical end of the tibia

of the first and second pairs of legs. This organ appears to be an

oval disk bearing many hairs; from the side it looks like a small

brush (Plate 1, h.). The climbing organ was observed in action

by placing a living adult male upside down on a microscope slide

and covering him with a cover glass. The organ appeared to be

quite similar to that described by Gillett and Wigglesworth (1932)

for Rhodnius prolixus, “an elastic sac distended with fluid.” The

fact that only the males have these tibial climbing organs might

indicate that these are secondary sexual structures used during

copulation.

Copulation takes place most frequently after feeding. The males

run about in search of a female, and the act itself takes place in

the following manner: the male climbs on the dorsal surface of

the female, being lined up with her on a parallel axis. He inserts

the copulatory organ into the sinuated fifth abdominal tergite

which leads into the organ of Ribaga and the organ of Berlese.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

The pair shakes vigorously from side to side much of the time

while in copulo; the female may even run about with the male still

in position. If there is a dearth of females in the colony, the males

may be seen to mount other males and go through shaking motions

similar to those that a copulating pair makes; this, however, lasts

for a much shorter period than when the act takes place with a

female. Both sexes need not have fed recently to become sexually

excited when the colony as a whole is feeding. A well fed female

seems to attract more males than an unfed one. If motion plays

more of a role in attracting the male to the female than odor does,

as Rivnay (1933) suggests for Cimex lectularius, then perhaps the

larger size of the well fed female would explain its being more

attractive than the unfed female. It would seem reasonable in this

case to suspect that the warmth of the ingested blood is the at-

tracting agent. However, males are attracted to fed females and not

particularly attracted to fed males when enough females are

present. Thus it would seem that neither motion nor the warmth

of ingested blood serve primarily as the activators of the copulatory

act. Whether or not a chemical stimulus or some other factor is

the agent has yet to be solved.

Longevity without Food. The problem of how long the newly

molted insect can live without food is an important one. This is

particularly true when the host may be gone for several days

before returning to the nest. An indication of the length of time

that various stages may survive after molting is indicated in

Table III.

TABLE III. Longevity of recently molted bugs without food.

Instar

Number

Used

Number of days till death

Max. Min. Ave.

5.1

6.1

III

Adult

8.3

female

Adult

14.9

male

12.4

Although Haematosiphon is not usually considered to feed on

mammals, it is important to know what animals other than birds

it will feed on, particularly for some laboratory experiments. Var-

ious instars of bugs were allowed to feed on the closely clipped

abdomen of a laboratory rabbit. Little hesitation was evidenced

April, 1955 ]

LEE MEXICAN CHICKEN BUG

by the insects to feed on the animal. Those which had fed to

repletion molted to the next instar or to adults in a normal

amount of time.

Poor results were obtained in an effort to feed second, third,

and fourth instar nymphs on a young white rat. Eight out of

thirteen bugs which had fed well on the rat were dead within four

days after having fed. Although Mazzotti (1941) was successful

in feeding H. inodorus on a mouse, the present writer did not meet

with such success. Out of thirty-six hungry bugs of various instars

which were placed for 24 hours in a small jar containing a suckling

mouse, only eight fed at all, none to repletion. The insects were

seen to crawl about on the mouse, but few were seen attempting

to feed.

First, second, and third instar nymphs were allowed to feed on

the abdomen of a bat (Myotis sp.) which had been stretched out

and strapped down. Small numbers (3 to 5) of each instar fed;

within 18 hours those bugs which fed were dead. Even though the

insects were dead the blood was still the same bright red hue it

was immediately after the bugs had fed. Still less successful results

were obtained in an effort to feed the bugs on the Mexican free-

tailed bat, Tadarida mexicana (Saussure).

Attempts to induce various instars of H. inodorus to feed on

an unidentified cave toad and fence lizard met with failure.

Haemato siphon shows no reluctance to feed on human subjects

at all. Duges’ paper (1892) mentioned the fact that chicken growers

complained of bites from this species. Townsend (1893) stated

that this pest may “spread from roosts to dwelling-houses, where

it proves more formidable than the bedbug”. More recently (1952)

Dr. J, N. Roney, Extension Entomologist of the University of

Arizona, reported (in litt.) that in July, 1946, in Navajo County,

Arizona, he “found the insects infesting two chicken yards and

three homes to such an extent that the residents were forced to

move out” so that a complete fumigation might be effected.

Summary

Techniques used in rearing Haematosiphon inodorus /or the

first time in the laboratory are noted.

A detailed description is here presented for the first time for

the egg and all the preadult instars. A redescription of both sexes

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

of the adult is presented in greater detail than has been done by

previous workers.

By rearing this species from egg to adult in individual vials and

by studying its life history in detail, the fact that H. inodorus has

only four preadult instars was demonstrated. A comparison of the

degree of change in head width from one stage to the next, based

on Dyar’s principle, shows biostatistically that no instar was over-

looked in the life history study. This is the first Cimicid and one

of very few Hemiptera which has been shown conclusively to have

only four preadult instars. A brief study of the sex ratio shows

that there are more males than females in a laboratory reared

population.

Collection notes indicate a new host for this species and point

out that populations may build up to large numbers in the nest of

the host. Various behavior patterns of this bug are presented which

give a clearer understanding of its life history.

LITERATURE CITED

Champion, G. C.

1900. Biol. Centr. Am., Heter. 2:337.

Duges, D. a.

1892. Acanthia inodora. La Naturaleza. Ser. 2, 11:169—170.

Dyar, H. G.

1890. The number of molts of Lepidopterous larvae. Psyche. 5(175—

176) :420-422.

Forbes, W. T. M.

1934. A note on Dyar’s law (Lepidoptera: Larvae). Bull. Brooklyn Ent.

Soc. 29(4) : 146-149.

Gillett, J. D. and V. B. Wigglesworth

1932. The climbing organ of an insect, Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera:

Reduviidae). Proc. Roy. Soc., London (B) 111:364—376.

Harries, F. H. and C. F. Henderson

1938. Growth of insects with reference to progression factors for suc-

cessive growth stages. Ann. Ent. Soc. America 31(4) :557— 572.

Horvath, G.

1912. Revision of the American Cimicidae. Ann. Mus. Natl. Hist.-Nat.

Hung. 10:257-262.

Jordan, K.

1922. Note on the distribution of the organ of Berlese in Clinocoridae.

Ectoparasites. 1:283—285.

Jordan, K. and N. C. Rothschild

1912. Notes on Clinocoridae, a family of Rhynchota, with the descrip-

tions of a new genus and species. Nov. Zool. 10:352-356.

Matheson, R.

1950. Medical Entomology. Comstock Pub. Co., Inc., New York, 612 pp.

April, 1955]

LEECH CICADA EMERGENCE

Reuter, 0. M.

1913. Die Familie der Bett-order Hauswanzen (Cimicidae), ihre Phylo-

genis, Systematik, Oekologie und Verbreitung. Z. wiss. InsektBiol.

9:251-255, 303-306, 325-329, 360-364.

Rivnay, E.

1933. The tropisms effecting copulation in the bed-bug. Psyche.

40(4) :115-120.

Ryckman, R. E.

1952. Laboratory culture of Triatominae with observations on behavior

and a new feeding device. Jour. Parasit. 38(3) :210— 214.

Taylor, R. L.

1931. On “Dyar’s Rule” and its application to sawfly larvae. Ann. Ent.

Soc. America. 24(3) :451— 466.

Townsend, C. H. T.

1893. Note on the coruco, a Hemipterous insect which infests poultry

in southern New Mexico. Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington 3:40-41.

UsiNGER, R. L.

1947. Native hosts of the Mexican chicken bug, Haemato siphon inodora

(Duges). Pan. Pac. Ent. 23(3) :140.

WiGGLESWORTH, V. G.

1943. The fate of haemoglobin in Rhodnius prolixus (Hemiptera) and

other blood-sucking arthropods. Proc. Roy. Soc., London (B)

131:313-339.

EMERGENCE OF THE CICADA OKANAGANA TRISTIS

VAN DUZEE

(Homoptera: Cicadidae)

Okanagana tristis Van Duzee is a common California species,

but the only record for Mendocino County given by Simons (1954.

The Cicadidae of California. Bull, Calif. Insect Survey, 2(3) :177)

is “Mendocino Co. ; Unknown locality, 1$, VII-20-23 (E. R, Leach,

C.A.S.).”

Virtually all insects labeled “Mendocino Co.” by Mr. Leach

were taken on or close to his property at the junction of Yale

Creek with Rancheria Creek, about two miles south of the old site

of the Yorkville Post Office on Highway 128. On July 24, 1954 I

was camped in a small neglected orchard on this property, and at

about 8:30 P.M. (Pacific Daylight Saving time) noticed cicada

nymphs crawling up grass and weed stems. By 10:30 P.M. most

of them had completely emerged from the nymphal skins, but were

still of a creamy white color. I am indebted to Dr. J. N. Simons

for identifying one of the resultant adults — Hugh B. Leech, Cali-

fornia Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

ZOOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE: Notice of proposed use of

THE Plenary Powers in certain cases for the avoidance

OF CONFUSION AND THE VALIDATION OF CURRENT

NOMENCLATORIAL PRACTICE (A. [n.S.] 19)

Notice is hereby given that the possible use by the International

Commission on Zoological Nomenclature of its Plenary Powers is

involved in applications relating to the under-mentioned names

included in Part 9 of Volume 9 of the Bulletin of Zoological Nom-

enclature, which was published on October 22, 1954:

(1) Discoides; Cerebratulus ; Polycitor; Scolixedion; all being generic names

in Renier (1804) Prospetto (now rejected for nomenclatorial purposes),

question of validation of (p.263) (File Z.N.[S.] 832).

(2) Aglaja; Alcyonaria; Cystia; Rodens; Tuba; Tubulanus; all being gen-

eric names in Renier (1807) Tavola (now proposed to be rejected for

nomenclatorial purposes), question of validation of (p.264) (File Z.N.

[S.1688).

(3) Names (generic and specific) given to aptychi of Ammonites, proposed

suppression of (pp. 266— 269) (File Z.N. [S.] 858) .

(4) Notropis Rafinesque, 1818 (Class Osteichthyes, Order Cyprinida) pro-

posed determination of gender as masculine (pp. 212—211) (File Z.N.

[S.]663).

(5) Cheloniceras Hyatt, 1903 (Class Cephalopoda, Order Ammonoidea), pro-

posed designation of type species for, in harmony with accustomed nom-

enclatorial usage (pp. 278— 280) (File Z.N. [S'.] 703) .

(6) Argus Bohadsch, 1761 (Class Gastropoda), proposed retention of .status

for the purposes of the Law of Homonymy to preserve Polyommatus

Latreille, 1804, from falling as a synonym of Argus Boisduval, 1832,

(pp.281-283) (FileZ.N.[S.]714).

(7) minimus Miller (J.S.), 1826, as published in the combination Belemnites

minimus (Class Cephalopoda, Order Dibranchia), proposed validation

of (pp.284^285) (File Z.N. [S.] 823).

In addition, the above Part contains a proposal for the issue of

a Declaration banning names based upon the aptychi of ammonites

(File Z.N. [S.] 589).

Any specialist who may desire to comment on any of the fore-

going applications is invited to do so in writing to the Secretary to

the International Commission (Address: 28 Park Village East,

Regent’s Park, London, N.W.I., England) as soon as possible.

Every such comment should be clearly marked with the Com-

mission’s File Number as given in the present Notice.

April, 1955]

LINSLEY — CROSSIDIUS

NOTES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME SPECIES OF

CROSSIDIUS

( Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)

E. Gorton Linsley

University of California, Berkeley

The following notes and descriptions are offered at this time

in order to permit the return of material borrowed in connection

with a more comprehensive study. The writer regards Oxoplus

synonymous with Crossidius, since those characters previously

used to separate them clearly intergrade and no other constant

differences are evident. The following species shduld be transferred ;

to Crossidius :

Crossidius coccineus (Casey) new combination

Crossidius corallinus (LeConte) new combination

Crossidius cruentus (LeConte) new combination

Crossidius jocosus (Horn) new combination

Crossidius marginatus (Le(ionte) new combination

Crossidius ornaticollis (Lacordaire) new combinaticn

Crossidius poecilus (Bates) new combination

Crossidius mojavensis Linsley, new species

Male: Length 17.5 mm., breadth 5.7 mm. Form elongate, subparallel,

depressed; color black, elytra yellowish-brown except humeri and suture;

pubescence moderately dense, pale. Head coarsely, closely punctate; frcns

densely clothed with coarse, erect, pale hairs about as long as diameter of

apex of antennal scape; vertex clothed with both erect and appressed pale

hairs; antennae long, slender, approximately four segments extending be-

yond apex of elytra, last segment one-third longer than third, appendiculate.

Pronotum wider than long (5.5: 3.5), nearly as wide as elytra at base

(5.5:6.0), sides obtusely rounded, widest a little behind middle; surface

densely punctate but punctation obscured by a dense mat of appressed

pale hairs intermixed with erect hairs similar in length to those of frons;

prosternum densely punctate, vestiture similar to that of pronotum ;

mesosternum and metasternum densely clothed with suberect pale hairs;

scutellum finely punctate, densely clothed with fine appressed silky

pubescence. Elytra a little more than twice as long as broad (13.0:6.0),

surface densely punctate, moderately coarsely so at base more finely

toward apex, humeri black, suture narrowly black for from two-thirds to

four-fifths of its length, sides subparallel from behind humeri to apical

one-third, thence gradually narrowed to apices, apices sinuate-emarginate.

Legs slender, densely punctate, sparsely clothed with pale hairs; anterior

tibiae with a dense pad of short velvety pubescence along inner side;

posterior tarsus with first segment about three times as long as second.

Abdomen with sternites densely clothed with appressed pale pubescence,

thinner toward posterior margin, intermixed with erect pale hairs.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

Female: Length 16.5—18 mm., breadth 5—5.5 mm. Form broad, depressed;

color black, elytra with a faint yellowish-brown spot between suture and

lateral margin near base and a yellowish-brown streak along lateral margin

from base nearly to middle. Antennae reaching well into apical third of

elytra. Pronotum narrower than elytra (5.0:6.0), posterior disk with a

polished median carina.

Holotype male (Mus. Ent. Calif. Acad. Sci.), from Palmdale,

California, October 1, 1947 (G. P. McKenzie), allotype female

(Mus. Ent. Calif. Acad. Sci.), same locality, October 14, 1947

(G. P. MacKenzie), and paratypes, three females, same locality,

September 26, 1947, and October 1, 1947 (G. P. MacKenzie) and

October 24, 1952 (Ray F. Smith). This last paratype is deposited

in the collection of the California Insect Survey (Univ. Calif.), the

remainder in the collection of Mr. MacKenzie. Dr. Smith’s example

was taken on Chrysothamnus nauseosus gnaphalodes (Greene) Hall,

This species apparently belongs to the ater-hirtipes complex.

The male is suggestive of hirtipes but is larger (17.5 mm.) and

differs in having the pronotum nearly as wide as the base of the

elytra and the antennae surpassing the apices of the elytra by

nearly four segments. The female suggests atei' but is larger (16.5—

18 mm.), with proportionally longer antennae and with pale areas

near the base of the elytra.

Crossidius wickhami rhodopus Linsley, new subspecies

Length: 9.5—13 mm. (cT), 11—15 mm. ($). Form, size and

structure generally similar to C. wickhami wickhami Casey (= C.

truncatellus Casey, new synonymy) described from Marysvale,

Piute County, Utah, but differing in the reddish legs and antennae

(black in C. w. wickhami) , denser pronotal pubescence, and the

slightly different color pattern of the elytra. The female of rhodopus

has a common dark median elytral infuscation extending from

basal one-third or one-half toward the apices but rarely attaining

them. About half of the males available have the elytra marked as

in the female, the remainder have the elytra immaculate or the dark

markings very faint. Available males of C. w. wickhami have a

narrow dark sutural vitta as in the Casey type.

Holotype male (Mus. Ent. Calif. Acad. Sci.) and allotype

female (Mus. Ent. Calif. Acad. Sci.) and five male paratypes from

Convict Lake, Inyo County, California, September 15, 1954

(G. P. MacKenzie). Additional paratypes: six females, Mammoth,

Inyo County, California, August 28, 1946 (G. P. MacKenzie) ; one

April, 1955]

LINSLEY — CROSSIDIUS

female and one male. Mono Lake. Mono County. California, Sep-_

lember 16, 1945 (G. P.TVlacKenzie) ; one male, Grant Lake, Mono

County, California, August 28, 1946 (G. P. MacKenzie) ; eight

males, Grant Lake, Mono County, California, September 5, 1948,

on Chrysothamnus nauseosus gnaphalodes (Greene) Hall (P. D.

Hurd and J. W. MacSwain) ; one male. Laurel Meadows, Mono

County, California, 8500 ft. elev., August 13, 1936 (F. R. Platt) ;

five males and one female, Benton Station, Mono County, Cali-

fornia, September 4—5, 1950 (H. A. Hunt) ; and one female. Las

Vegas, Nevada, October 30, 1952, on Chrysothamnus nauseosus

gnaphalodes (Greene) Hall (R. F. Smith). Paratypes in the col-

lections of Mr. G. P. MacKenzie, the Department of Entomology

and Parasitology, University of California, Davis, and the Cali-

fornia Insect Survey, University of California, Berkeley, California.

Crossidius ruficollis Linsley

This species is apparently associated with Aplopappus acra-

denius bracteosus (Greene) Hall in the San Joaquin Valley, Cali-

fornia, and has been taken from this plant at the following local-

ities: ten miles east of Buttonwillow, October 23, 1952, one male

( H. T. Reynolds and R. F. Smith) ; two miles northwest of Mendota,

October 20, 1952, eight males, five females (T. Leigh and R. F.

Smith) ; Tipton, October 1, 1952, two males (F. T. Scott) ; one

mile east of Tipton, October 21, 1952, three males, two females

(T. Leigh and R. F. Smith) ; one mile north of Bakersfield, October

22, 1952, three males, two females (T. Leigh and R. F. Smith) ;

five miles northwest of Bakersfield, October 22, 1952, four males,

three females (T. Leigh and R. F. Smith), three miles south of

Shafter, October 23, 1952, one male (H. T. Reynolds and R. F.

Smith) ; two miles north of Kettleman City, October 20, 1952,

sixteen males, nine females (T. Leigh and R. F. Smith) ; Kettleman

City, September 28, 1952, fifteen males, fourteen females (F. T.

Scott) ; Pixley, October 1, 1952, eight males (F. T. Scott) ; Visalia,

October 28, 1952, four males, three females (F. T. Scott) ; and

eight miles northwest of Wheeler Ridge, Kern County, October 23,

1952, two males (H. T. Reynolds and R. F. Smith) .

Crossidius intermedius LeConte

The typical form of this species has been taken from Aplopap-

pus tenuisectus (Greene) Blake at Tucson, Arizona, October 7,

1952 (G. Bradt) and from Aplopappus drummondii (T. & G.)

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

Blake at Gila Bend, Arizona, October 27, 1952 (E. G. Linsley and

R. 1. Smith). The paler, less heavily marked type wtiicL occurs

in southern California has been taken from Aplopappus acradenius

eremophilus (Greene) Hall as follows: 2.8 miles east of Indio,

Riverside County, October 23, 1951, forty -two males, two females

(P. D. Hurd) ; five miles northwest of Indio, October 26, 1952,

two males (E. G. Linsley and R. F. Smith) ; two miles northwest

of Indio, six males, one female (E. G. Linsley and R. F. Smith) ;

five miles west of Westmoreland, October 26, 1952, twenty-one

males, six females (E. G. Linsley and R. F. Smith) ; Kane Springs,

Imperial County, October 14, 1948, one male, one female (L. D.

Anderson and H. T. Reynolds) ; Niland, Imperial County, October

24, 1951, thirty-five males, one female (P. D. Hurd) ; and five miles

southeast of Bohns Corner, Imperial County, October 27, 1952,

six males (E. G. Linsley and R. F. Smith).

Grossidius pulchellus LeConte

This variable species is composed of many more or less dis-

tinctive populations, the exact status of which remains to be

determined. A male from Wilcox, Arizona, September 4, 1942 (A,

Mark Bliss) was associated with larvae apparently boring in the

roots of Gutierrezia lucida Greene and a female was taken from the

flowers of this same plant at Morongo Valley, San Bernardino

County, California, October 26, 1951, by P. D. Hurd. Two females

in the University of Arizona Collection from Jornado Experimental

Range, thirty-five miles northeast of Las Cruces, New Mexico, elev.

4300 ft., August 25, 1939 (K. W. Parker) bear the label “larvae

and pupae in roots of Guiterrezia sarothrae [Britt. & Rusby].’’

Crossidius coccineus (Casey)

This species was taken from Chrysothamnus nauseosus mojav-

ensis (Greene) Hall, two miles south of Rosemead, California,

October 24, 1952, three males, one female (R. F. Smith) and four

miles east of Monolith, California, October 24, 1952, twelve males,

fourteen females (R. F, Smith) .

Crossidius marginatus (LeConte)

This species, previously reported only from Baja Calfornia,

has been taken in California by P. H. Timberlake as follows: San

Diego, California, July 22, 1925, on Eriogonum fasciculatum

Benth. ; Riverside, California, September 6, 1936, on Encelia far-

inosa Gray; and Bear Valley, San Bernardino Mts., California,

August, 1937.

April, 1955]

GURNEY IRIS ORATORIA

FURTHER NOTES ON IRIS ORATORIA IN CALIFORNIA

(Orthoptera:Mantidae)

Ashley B. Gurney

Entomology Research Branch, Agricultural Research Service,

United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C.

Iris oratoria (Linnaeus), a distinctive mantid native to the

Mediterranean area, has recently been recorded from California by

Strohecker (1952), who stated that the identification was made by

B. P. Uvarov. Strohecker’s collection records date from 1940 and

represent Fresno, Kern, Riverside, and Imperial Counties.

The present paper reports a 1937 record for this species and

supplies additional information on distribution and recognition

characters likely to be helpful to American students. For the records

here reported and for other data I am grateful to John N. Belkin,

of the University of California at Los Angeles, and to the collectors

named below who cooperated with Dr. Belkin in making this

information available.

New records for Iris oratoria (L.) from Riverside and Imperial

Counties, California, based on specimens seen by Dr. Belkin

except for the one collected by Dr. Tinkham, are as follows:

Coachella Valley, October, 1937 (R. B. Cowles), 1 male (U.C.L.A.) ;

Indian Wells, October 4, 1952, at light (R. X. Schick), 2 males (U.C.L.A.

and U.S.N.M.) ; same, April 24—25, 1953 (R. H. Orson), 1 female (U.S.N.M.) ;

Indio, October 15, 1951 (L. D. Anderson), 1 female (Citrus Expt. Sta. ) ;

same, April 24, 1953 (W. A. McDonald), 1 male (U.C.L.A.); same. May

3, 1953 (E. R. Tinkham), 1 male (used by Paramount Studios); 3 miles

west of Cabazon, October 22, 24, 1952 (E. G. Linsley, et al), 2 females

(Citrus Expt. Sta.); El Centro, September 3, 1952 (H. T. Reynolds), 1

female (U.C.L.A.).

Dr. Belkin has observed at Riverside, a caged female which had

been swept from cotton at El Centro, Imperial County, by H. T.

Reynolds on September 3, 1952. While in captivity this female

laid at least 10 egg masses. She died December I and was pre-

served (U.C.L.A.). Mantids presumed to be Iris were reported by

Dr. Reynolds to be common in the cotton fields of Imperial Coun-

ty. In addition to the above specimens, the Los Angdes County

Museum has a female collected by Dr. J. A. Comstock in 1933

which, according to Dr. Belkin, is definitely this species though in

poor condition. The exact date of collection cannot be determined,

nor the locality, but Dr. Belkin has checked certain museum ac-

cession entries Avhich attest to the correctness of the 1933 date.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

Iris oratoria is widespread in the Mediterranean countries.

Beier (1935:107) listed northwest Africa, Spain, southern France,

Sardinia, Sicily, Greece, and Asia-Minor. Ramme (1951) specified

the Balkans, Macedonia, Anatolia, and Syria. Linnaeus (1758:426)

originally described this insect from material collected by E.

Brander in Africa. Subsequently Uvarov (1923) has pointed out

that since Brander was a Swedish Consul stationed at Algiers, this

locality may be interpreted as the type locality.

It is well known that the egg cases (oothecae) of mantid species

frequently are carried accidentally in commerce. Therefore, cer-

tain introductions probably have been made by this means, and

it appears likely that Iris oratoria was introduced into the United

States in this manner. Several examples of Old World insects, which

have been established in California since the advent of widespread

air travel, suggest the increased ease with which introductions may

occur. Strobecker ( op. cit.) records a small Palearctic katydid,

Phaneroptera quadripunctata Brunner, from central and south-

central California, and in 1950 I recorded Euborellia cincticollis

(Gerstaecker) , a west African earwig, from southern California

(Gurney, 1950).

The features illustrated (figs. 1—3) distinguish this mantid

from other North American species, especially the nature of the

facial shield, the five ventro-external spines on the front femur

(instead of four as in Stagmornantis) , and the color pattern of the

hind wing. The males of the minor mantid Litaneutria minor (Scud-

der) frequently have a blackish-violet spot on the wing (Gurney,

1951, pi. 5, fig. 2), somewhat suggesting the one occurring in

oratoria, but Litaneutria may be distinguished by the narrower

head, the more delicate general structure, and the decidedly brach-

ypterous females, in addition to the lack of tubercles on the facial

shield and the presence of only four ventro-external spines on the

front femur.

For a key to the five genera of Mantidae previously known from

the Southwest, students are referred to Ball, Tinkham, et al

(1942:268). A key to the world genera of Mantinae is presented

by Beier (1935), who attached much importance to the presence

in Iris of five ventro-external spines on the front femur. The species

of Iris were reviewed by Uvarov (1931), and several forms have

been described since that time, bringing the total species and sub-

April, 1955]

GURNEY IRIS ORATORIA

species listed by Beier (1935) to 14, of which several are of un-

certain status.

A brief description of Iris oratoria is as follows;

Male . — Eyes broadly rounded (fig. 3) ; ocelli prominent, each ocellus

distinctly circular rather than elliptical ; facial shield slightly more than

twice as broad as high, the upper margin distinctly marginate, the median

third of upper margin broadly convex, a pair of short blunt tubercles on disc

of shield slightly above middle and somewhat closer to each other than to

respective ends of shield, a moderately sharp tubercle at each latero-anterior

angle of shield; antennae filiform, reaching about to base of abdomen.

Pronotum four times as long as greatest width, margins smooth except for

traces of denticulation along anterior third. Front tibia lacking dorsal

spines; ventro-external margin of front femur with five strong spines in

Figs. 1—3, Iris oratoria (L.), male from Indian Wells, Calif. 1. Habitus,

with opaque area of tegmen and brick-red area of radial field of wing shown

stippled; 2. External face of front femur; 3. Head. Fig. 4, Egg mass of

oratoria, redrawn from Morales, tb — median tubercles of facial shield.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

addition to an apical one (fig. 2) ; middle and hind femora unarmed except

for a single slender genicular spine each on the cephalic side. Tegmen (fig. 1)

about four times as long as maximum width, apex narrowly rounded, the

costal half opaque, posterior half transparent, reaching about to or some-

what surpassing apex of abdomen, the costal margin lacking cilia. Wing

with much of basal two-thirds of radial field dull brick red, with small trans-

parent windows in the middle of many cells ; anal field with irregular shining

bluish-black blotch about as broad as the width of the head located at a

distance from the base about equal to a third the wing length; apical half

of anal field yellowish, with concentric blackish fasciae.

Female . — Averaging somewhat more robust than male. Head differs

from male mainly in the smaller, scarcely protuberent ocelli, separated from

each other by nearly twice the diameter of one ocellus; pronotum averaging

stouter and the marginal denticulation more developed; tegmina shorter

than abdomen, usually covering one-half to threee-fourths of abdomen, apex

broadly rounded ; hind wing subquadrate, marked as in male.

Habitus illustrations of males are given by Chopard (1947,

pi. 3, color) and Morales (1947), of females by Beier (1935, pi. 4,

color), Chopard (1951), and Morales (1947).

I have seen only three California specimens of Iris oratoria, a

male from Coachella Valley and a pair from Indian Wells. These

specimens are larger than most published size records for oratoria.

It may be observed that Uvarov (1923:60) pointed out that speci-

mens from the eastern Mediterranean area seem larger and more

heavily marked on the wings than others. This fact suggests that

if the size in the California population proves to be consistently

large then this population may be related to the particular popula-

tion from which the introduced stock originated.

Four males and two females, from Coachella Valley, Indian

Wells, El Centro, and Indio, measured by Dr. Belkin or myself,

have the following size ranges (length in millimeters) : (Males)

Body, 51—53, average 52.2; pronotum, 13—15.5, average 14.4;

tegmen, 31.5—34, average 32.6. (Females) Body 52—53, average

52.5; pronotum, 16—16, average 16; tegmen, 22—22, average 22.

Chopard (1943, 1951, and other papers) gives the following respec-

tive ranges for the same measurements: (Males) 28—37, 8—11.5,

and 22.3; (Females) 34^7, 11—16, and 15— 22. The same meas-

urements given by Giglio-Tos (1927) for males (27-46; 8—14.5;

22—35) have greater maximum extremes than those of Chopard

and more nearly agree with the California specimens, but the size

extremes given by him for females are not as broad as those of

Chopard.

April, 1955]

GURNEY IRIS ORATORIA

The cerci of the male deposited in the U. S. National Museum

have at least 12 segments. Uvarov (1923:62, fig. 1) has described

and figured males of oratoria with nine-segmented cerci. A female

examined has at least 11 segments, and it is evident that the seg-

mentation is less clearly indicated toward the base of the cercus

than in the apical half. This apparent discrepancy, the unusually

large size of the specimens measured, and apparent differences in

egg masses should alert entomologists to the possibility that further

studies may show the California population to be distinct from

typical oratoria.

The biology of Iris oratoria is apparently typical of mantids

living under temperate conditions, with a winter diapause passed

in the egg stage, unlike the related 7. deserti Uvarov of the North

African deserts, which according to Karsakoff (1934) has a dia-

pause in the nymphal condition.

Fig. 5, Ootheca of Iris from California, dorsolateral view. Length, 20

millimeters.

Old World examples of the oothecae of oratoria have been il-

lustrated by Chopard (1938, fig. 197) and Morales (1947, fig. 40),

and Morales’ figure is here shown (fig. 4). Oothecae from Cali-

fornia have a different appearance (fig. 5), however. The most

noticeable difference is a distinctive emergence groove. Three Cali-

fornian oothecae examined are 10, 16, and 20 millimeters long,

respectively, and are 6 to 7 mm. wide at the base and about 5 mm.

high. There are about 6 longitudinal rows of eggs, 3 on each side

slanting inward and upward toward the emergence groove. In-

dividual eggs in the outer row give a convex appearance when not

covered by dried “froth”. The emergence groove is formed by a

brief projection of parchment-like material lining each side of the

passageway where each set of approximately six nymphs work

their way to the surface. The groove is loosely filled with dried

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

“froth”. The number of eggs per longitudinal row is 10, 15, and

20, respectively, in the oothecae examined; the total number of

eggs thus varies from about 60 to 120.

REFERENCES

Ball, E. D., E. R. Tinkham, et al

1942. The grasshoppers and other Orthoptera of Arizona. Ariz. Agri.

Expt. Sta. Tech Bull. 93:257—373, 4 pis., 11 figs.

Beier, Max

1935. Mantinae. Gen. Insectorum, fasc. 203:1—146, 8 pis.

Chopard, Lucien

1938. La Biologic des Orthopteres. Encycl. Ent. 20:1—541, 3 pis., 453 figs.

1943. Orthopteroides de I’Afrique du Nord. Faune de I’Empire Francais

1:1-447, 658 figs.

1947. Atlas des Apterygotes et Orthopteroides de France. Noiivel Atlas

d’Entomologie 2:1—111, 12 pis., 12 figs.

1951. Orthopteroides. Faune de France 56:1—359, 531 figs.

Giglio-Tos, E.

1927. Orthoptera, Mantidae. Das Tierreich, Lief. 50:1—707.

Gurney,. Ashley B.

1950. An African earwig new to the United States, and a corrected list

of the Nearctic Dermaptera. Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. 52:200—203.

1951. Praying mantids of the United States: Native and introduced.

Smithsonian Ann. Kept, for 1950 : 339—362, 9 pis.

Linnaeus, Carolus

1758. Systema Naturae, Ed. 10:1-823.

Karsakoff, M.

1935. Quelques obseiwations sur une nouvelle mante du Sud-Algerien ;

Iris deserti Uv. Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon 78 (N. S. ) :161— 170, 6 figs.

Morales, Agacino, E.

1947. Mantidos de la fauna iberica. Est. Fitopath. Agric. Madrid, Trab.

184:1-34, 44 figs.

Ramme, W.

1951. Zur systematik faunistik und biologic der Orthopteren von Siidost-

Europa und Vorderasien. Mit. Zool. Mus. Berlin 27:1—431, 39 pis.,

134 figs.

Strohecker, H. F.

1952. Two Palearctic Orthoptera established in the United States. Pan-

Pac. Ent. 28:138.

Uvarov, B. P.

1923. Records and descriptions of Orthoptera from Northwest Africa.

Novitates Zoologicae, Tring 30:59—78, 2 figs., 1 pi.

1931. Notes on the genus Iris, Saussure. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 8

(Sen 10) : 234-238, 1 pi.

April, 1955 ] matsuda — heteroptera morphology

THE MORPHOLOGICAL AND TAXONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE

OF THE BASAL ABDOMINAL SEGMENTS IN

HEMIPTERA-HETEROPTERA

Ryuichi Matsuda

Stanford University, Stanford, California

In a recent study of the generic classification of the Aradidae,

important characters were discovered in the basal abdominal ter-

gites. Such characters have been overlooked in the past because the

parts are concealed beneath the wings in most museum specimens.

Recent morphological studies dealing with the first and second

abdominal segments of Hemiptera have been concerned almost

exclusively with the ventral side of the segments in question.^ “

On the basis of the ventral segments, it has been customary to

count the visible first segment as the second segment, the true first

segment presumably being completely lost. However, in the present

study, which included several families of Hemiptera, it was found

that the first and second dorsal abdominal segments vary in degree

of reduction and fusion, and in some the true first and second seg-

ments are clearly separated.

The degree of fusion, the position, and the form of the sutures

have proved to be of taxonomic importance in the Aradidae. In the

sub-family Mezirinae, in which the first and second segments are

clearly separated, each genus has a particular structure. The char-

acters seen are very different from those of the succeeding seg-

ments and are very constant within a genus. This fact has helped

greatly in determining genera. Details of this will be discussed in

the forthcoming generic classification of the Aradidae by Usinger

and Matsuda.

Miridae were also examined systematically with the help of

Dr. Jose Carvalho, and it was found that the particular structure

of the first and second abdominal tergites is more or less constant

within each tribe or subfamily. This was especially pronounced

in the tribe Bryocorini of the Bryocorinae. On the basis of

preliminary evidence it is difficult to say whether or not each par-

ticular structure occurs at the generic level in the Miridae, but

the indication thus far is that each particular structure is a higher

^ Brindley, 1938, The metathoracie postcoxal bridge of Heteroptera. Proc. Royal

Ent. Soc. London, (A) 13 :103-106.

^ Larsen, 1945, Der thorax der Heteropteren skelett und muskulatur. Lunds

Univeritets Arsskrift. N.F. Avd. 2. 41(3) :1-110.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

group character in the Miridae. Apparently the Miridae do not

offer good material for study of the dorsal abdominal characters

because of their fragile bodies and the resulting irregular secondary

sutures that appear on the surface of the segments with which we

are concerned. In some families, for instance in Reduviidae, the

first and second segments are incompletely fused, and the resulting

structure in these segments assumes a bizarre shape. A comparison

of one species of T riatoina and Paratriatoma hirsuta Barber shows

a very distinct difference in structure in the incompletely fused

first and second segments. Reduviidae apparently offer good

material to test the applicability of this discovery.

Based on an extensive study of the Aradidae, less extensive

observation on the Miridae and a cursory, rather unsystematic

survey of other families, it is suggested that each particular pattern

of fusion or modification in the first and second abdominal ter-

gites and the resulting structure occurs: 1) at the subgenric

or generic level, or 2) in more than one genus within a tribe or a

subfamily, or 3) in more or less constant form within a tribe or

subfamily.

It should be noted that the first segment sometimes is not

directly concerned in producing a particular structure as is evi-

denced in many genera of the Mezirinae. Also there are cases

where the second segment is not directly involved in producing the

particular structure as is evidenced in many genera of Reduviidae.

Occasionally the third segment contributes towards the formation

of a particular structure.

Presumably there will be cases in which the characters in

question do not fit any of the three levels stated above. Neverthe-

less, it would appear to be worthwhile to investigate this particular

part of the body from the view point of systematics. If we once

have a constant generic, tribe, or subfamily character, this helps

greatly in straightening out doubtful species or genera. It should

also be mentioned that other parts of the body beneath the

hemelytra offer a possibility for characters of higher taxonomic

units. ' '

It is a pleasure to record my indebtedness to Professor R. L.

Usinger for his assistance in carrying on the present study, to Dr.

J. Carvalho and Mr. J. D. Lattin for their help in testing the

material other than the Aradidae, and also to Professor G. F. Ferris

of Stanford University for reading the manuscript.

April, 1955]

LATTIN COKIMELAENA EGGS

THE EGGS OF COKIMELAENA VIRILIS

(McATEE AND MALLOCH)

(Hemiptera: Cydnidae: Corinielaeninae)’

John D. Lattin

University of California, Berkeley

One of the first hazards to which an insect is exposed is that of

successfully emerging from the egg. Various groups have evolved

different methods for the successful completion of this task. This

paper will treat one type of egg burster found in the Order

Hemiptera.

Aside from a very brief mention by Webster (1884), no com-

plete description of the eggs of any Corimelaeninae haV been

noticed. Boselli (1932) described the egg of Sehirus sexmaculatus'

( Rbr, ) , a species which belongs to the other subfamily of Cydnidae.

He illustrated the fully developed embryo and the egg burster.

The eggs of Corimelaena virilis were taken on a species of

Nicotiana in eastern California. The eggs were laid singly on their

side towards the top of the plant and on the underside of the leaves

near the midrib. The eggs of the Cydininae, the other subfamily of

Cydnidae, are laid in ball-like clusters in the ground and are

brooded by the female. The other families of Pentatomoidea, as

far as known, lay their eggs in clusters of 4—40 with the individual

eggs laid upright so that the egg mass resembles a series of small

kegs.

The egg of Corimelaena virilis is white, 1.08 mm. in length,

roughly ovoid with one side slightly flattened. The egg tapers

posteriorly and the chorion is fluted longitudinally; the anterior

end bears a ring of 9 chorionic processes which are peg-like. There

is no well defined opercular suture although the opercular area is

defined by the processes (fig. 1).

The egg burster appears early in the embryonic development

as a small stout spine slightly behind the vertex of the head

(fig. 2). This spine is situated in a well defined sclerotized disk

which fits cap-like over the posterior portion of the head (fig. 3).

This disk is contained in the embryonic cuticle. There is another

membrane that surrounds the embryonic membrane that is be-

lieved by some to be the serosal membrane. When hatching takes

place, the egg splits longitudinally across the anterior end, initiated

^ This paper was presented at the annual meeting of the Entomological Society

of America at Los Angeles, California on December 9, 1953.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

1 2

EXPLANATION OF FIGURES

Fig. 1. Egg of Corimelaena virilis (McAtee and Malloch), side view

showing fluting and chorionic processes. Fig. 2. Partially developed embryo

within outer membrane showing egg burster. Fig. 3. Enlargement of egg

burster.

by the emerging nymph pressing against the burster which in turn

splits the chorion. At this time only a single membrane is apparent.

The exact fate of one of the membranes is unknown. As mentioned

earlier, Boselli showed the egg burster of one of the Cydninae

and it is exactly like that found in Corimelaena. All of the other

Pentatomoidea known have a T-shaped burster. In the latter a well

developed opercular cap is present and emergence takes place by

the nymph pushing the burster against the cap which in turn

April, 1955]

CLAUSEN PARASITE RELEASES

hinges back, allowing the nymph to escape. Thus it seems clear

that the Cydnidae, at least with regard to the egg burster, is a well

defined family within the super-family Pentatomoidea. Certain

other morphological characters seem to bear this out.

In other groups of Hemiptera where egg bursters are known,

various modifications have taken place. In the Coreioidea, the

burster closely resembles that type found in the Cydnidae. It con-

sists of a single, blunt spine borne by a sclerotized hood-like struc-

ture. The Cimicidae, according to Sikes and Wigglesworth (1931),

have an egg burster consisting of a V-shaped series of spines on

the embryonic cuticle in the vicinity of the vertex of the head.

Our knowledge of egg bursters is far from complete, but there

are indications that these structures may be useful in providing

additional systematic characters which will be useful in deter-

mining the correct relationships of many groups.

LITERATURE CITED

Bosseli, F. B.

1932. Istinti materni del Sehirus sexmaculatus Rbr. (Heteroptera : Cyd-

nidae). Boll. Lab. Zool. Portici. 26:1-8, 2 figs.

Sikes, E. K. and V. B. Wigglesworth

1931. The hatching of insects from the egg, and the appearance of air

in the tracheal system. Quart. J. Micr. Sci. London. 74:165-192,

8 figs.

Webster, F. M.

1884. Insects affecting fall wheat, in Ann. Kept. (U. S.) Comm. Agric.

for 1884, 1885:383-393.

RELEASES OF RECENTLY IMPORTED INSECT PARASITES

AND PREDATORS IN CALIFORNIA, 1952-53

C. P. Clausen

Department of Biological Control, University of California, Riverside

There is given below a complete record of the first field releases

in California of a series of insect parasites and predators, listed

under their respective hosts, recently imported by the Department

of Biological Control. The year of release is 1953 unless otherwise

indicated. The publication of this record seems desirable in order

to facilitate identification of any of the species should they be

taken by collectors in the future.

THE PAK-PACTFIC ENTOMOLOGIST

Host and Parasites or Predators Origin

Harrisina brillians, Barnes and McDunnough

Apanteles sp. “B” Mexico

Haltichella sp. Mexico

Phorocera sp. Arizona, Mexico

Grapholitha molesta (Busck)

Horogenes sp. * ^ China

Colias eurytheme Boisduval

Apanteles fiaviconchae Riley Connecticut

Protoparce sexta (Johannsen)

Apanteles congregatus (Say)

Connecticut

Anasa tristis (DeGeer)

Trichopoda pennipes Fabricius

Connecticut

(squash bug strain)

ClRCULIFER TENELLUS (Baker)

Aphelinoidea sp. 2

North Africa

Lymaenon sp. “A”

Spain, N. Africa

Lymaenon sp. “B”

Spain, N. Africa

Polynema sp. “A”

Spain, N. Africa

Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell)

Aonidiella citrinus (Coquillett)

Aspidiotiphagus sp. “N-270”*

Formosa

Microweisea coccidivora

Florida

( Ashmead) *

Prospaltella sp. “P”*

Formosa

Scymnus sp. *

Lepidosaphes ficus (Signoret)

Archenomus sp. ^

France

Aspidiotus lataniae Signoret

Aphytis sp. “Q”

Eritrea

Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock

Habrolepis oppugnati Silvestri

Eritrea

Parlatoria oleae (Colvee)

Aphytis maculicornis (Masi)*

Egyptian strain Egypt

[vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

Area or County

of Release

San Diego

Orange

Fresno

Merced

Stanislaus

San Joaquin

Solano

Riverside

Orange

Riverside

San Diego

General

San Bernardino

General

Riverside

San Bernardino

Tulare

So. Calif.

Tulare

Riverside

San Bernardino

Tulare

So. Calif.

Merced

Fresno

So. Calif.

Riverside

San Diego

Fresno

April, 1955]

CLAUSEN — PARASITE RELEASES

Persian strain

Iran

General

Spanish strain

Spain

San Joaquin Valley

Aspidiotiphagus sp. *

Iran

San Joaquin Valley

Cybocephalus sp.

Spain

San Joaquin Valley

Coccus HESPERiDUM Linnaeus

Coccus PSEUDOMAGNOLIARUM (Kuwana)

Lecanium corni Bouche

Lecanium kunoensis (Kuwana)

Saissetia oleae (Bernard), etc.

Coccophagus eleaphiliis Silvestri

Eritrea, Morocco

General

Coccophagus eritreansis Compere

Eritrea

So. Calif., Tulare

Contra Costa

Coccophagus nigritus Compere

Eritrea

Riverside

Diversinervus elegans Silvestri

Eritrea

General

Exochomus floralis

(Motschulsky)

Morocco

Riverside, Tulare

Contra Costa

Hyperaspis sp.

Eritrea

General

Metaphycus ftavus Howard

Morocco

General

Metaphycus sp. “X”

Eritrea

General

Metaphycus sp. “Y”

Eritrea

General

Platynaspis (?) sp.

Eritrea

General

Saisetia oleae (Bernard)

Coccophagus baldassarii Compere Eritrea

Coccus PSEUDOMAGNOLiARUM (Kuwana)

Ventura

Riverside

San Joaquin

Metaphycus orientalis Compere

Japan

Tulare

Lecanium kunoensis (Kuwana)

Brachytarsus kuwanai Yuasa

Japan

Contra Costa

Encyrtus infidus Rossi (?)

Japan

Contra Costa

Microterys sp.

Japan

Contra Costa

CocciDAE (miscellaneous)

ChilocoTUs sp. near distigma Klug Eritrea

General

Planococcus citri (Risso)

Bothriocraea sp."

Trinidad

Santa Barbara

Pseudaphycus n. sp.

Eritrea

Santa Barbara

San Diego

Metatetranyghus citri (McGregor)

StethoTus sp.

Eritrea

Santa Barbara

Stethorus sp.

Morocco

San Diego

Eotetranychus sexmaculatus (Riley)

Santa Barbara

Stethorus punctum (LeConte)

Connecticut

Santa Barbara

* First releases made in 1952.

1 Received through U.S.D.A., Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine.

- Received through Commonwealth Institute of Biological Control.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

RECORDS OF WATER BEETLES FROM MANCHURIA AND

SIBERIA

(Coleoptera: Dytiscidae, Hydrophilidae)

Hugh B. Leech

California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco

In the July, 1946 number of the Annals and Magazine of

Natural History (not actually published until June, 1947), J.

Balfour-Browne gave a report on the Manchurian water beetles I

had purchased in 1938—40 from their collector, Michael Weymarn.

Unknown to us, Per Brinek of Lund had also obtained part of

Weymarn’s catches, and his paper was published in December,

1946.

The two papers list 84 species and subspecies of Haliplidae,

Noteridae, Dytiscidae, Gyrinidae and Hydrophilidae, but the total

is subject to change for it is clear that the authors are not always in

agreement in their identifications, and some of Brinck’s records

were taken from the literature. The Hydrophilidae in Brinck’s

Manchurian collection were determined by the late A. d’Orchymont,

The present paper records some material not available before^,

adds one species omitted by error from Balfour -Browne’s list, and

gives keys to a few species. All the beetles are from Manchuria,

except one Hydrochara liber (Sharp) from Siberia, which was

loaned by Henry Dietrich of Cornell University.

DYTISCIDAE

Ilybius lateralis (Gebler)

Harbin, 16.viii.l940 (M. A. Weymarn)

Ilybius cinctus Sharp and/or I, angustulus Regimbart

Harbin, 16.viii.l940 (M. A. Weymarn), 8^ $, 15 2 2 ; Chenghoutze station

near Harbin, 18.vil939 (A. S. Loukashkin), 2^ 52 2 ; Mukden, 14.viii.

1923 (E. C. Van Dyke), 3$ $,99 9.

These small yellow-margined species, the apicalis complex, are

greatly in need of revision, as remarked by Brinek. On the basis

of specimens identified for me by Balfour-Browne, I offer the

following key. In his text he remarks on the difficulty of separating

apicalis and angustulus, yet from the material before me I can not

distinguish between angustulus and cinctus, both sensu Balfour-

Browne.

April, 1955]

LEECH WATER BEETLES

1. Hind coxal plates with fine irregular, impressed lines and punctures,

in addition to their regular surface sculpture ; apex of prosternal process

not at all acuminate, almost blunt; hind tarsi of male finely margined

along outer edge; parameres broadly rounded apically (fig. 10 in Balfour-

Browne’s paper) ; sixth abdominal sternite of female barely at all

compressed but with a weak triangular incision at apex lateralis

— Hind coxal plates with fine regular surface reticulation only; apex of

prosternal process acuminate; hind tarsi of male not margined externally;

parameres rather narrow, apically produced into a long process (fig. 8

in Balfour-Browne’s paper) ; sixth abdominal sternite of female slightly

compressed but not incised at apex 2

2. Distance between hind coxal plate and middle coxa narrow, equal to

of width of hind coxal plate measured along same line; median line of

prosternum and its process less angulate, much more transversely rounded,

less laterally compressed; pale margin of elytra narrower at base, where

it is about as wide as a front tibia, or about % the width of a compound

eye apicalis

— Distance between hind coxal plate and middle coxa greater, equal to a

little more than l/3rd width of hind coxal plate; median line of pros-

ternum and its process more sharply angulate, less rounded, more

laterally compressed; pale margin of elytra broader, fully as wide as a

hind tibia, slightly wider than a compound eye cinctus and angustulus

Rantus suturalis (MacLeay)

Chenghoutze station near Harbin, 18.vi. 1939 (A. S. Loukashkin), 1$.

Eretes sticticus (Linnaeus)

Chenghoutze station near Harbin, 18.vi.l939 (A. S. Loukashkin), 1^.

HYDROPHILIDAE

Hydrochara affinis (Sharp)

Mukden, 13.viii.l923 (E. C. Van Dyke), 3^ 7$ $ ; Chenghoutze station

near Harbin, 18. vi. 1939 (A. S. Loukashkin), 2$ $ .

Hydrochara liber (Sharp)

Hydracharis libera Sharp, 1884. Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1884 (4) : 450.

This species was inadvertently omitted from Balfour-Browne’s

list. The following specimens are before me:

Weishaha, vi-vii. 1939 (M. Weymarn), 2$ $, 4$ $ ; Hsiaoling, vii. 1939

(M. Weymarn), 1^. 1$ ; Mukden, 13. viii. 1923 (E. C. Van Dyke), 1$.

Also 1 ij labeled “Krasnaja Rjetschka bei Chabarowsk, leg Babiy, 1917”

( =: Khabarovsk, Siberia), from the Cornell University collection.

H. liber may be separated from H. affinis as follows :

1. Apex of sternal keel blunt, laterally compressed, carinate, not reaching

beyond middle of 1st abdominal sternite; legs reddish; parameres of

male genitalia produced inward and almost touching, just before apices.

.... ajfiriis

— Apex of sternal keel spinose, acuminate, reaching to hind margin of 1st

abdominal sternite; legs black or piceous; parameres straight, dorsoven-

trally flattened and blade-like apically liber

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Balfour-Browne, J.

1947. The aquatic Coleoptera of Manchuria (Weymarn Collection).

Ann. Magazine Nat. Hist., Ser. 11, 13 (103) : 433-460, 12 text

figs. [This is the July, 1946 issue, but was not actually published

until 25 June, 1947.]

Brinck, Per.

1946. Waterbeetles from Manchuria. With some zoogeographical re-

marks. Opuscula Ent., 11:146-156, 1 text fig. [Published Decem-

ber 21, 1946.]

Sharp, David

1884. The water-beetles of Japan. Trans. Ent. Soc. London, 1884 (4) :

439-464.

^ Note also Haliplus (Haliplinus) steppensis Gupignot, described as allied to H.

apicalis Thomson ; and Helophorus (Empleurus) pardakofFi Stocklein, near H.

rufipes Bose. In each case the type locality is “Charbin”, Manchuria. These species

are described on pages 108 and 268, respectively, of Entomologische Arbeiten aus

dem Museum G. Frey, Bd. 5, Heft 1 ; published April 10, 1954.

JURUPA ENTOMOLOGY CLUB

The Jurupa Entomology Club was organized at the University

of California at Riverside on October 16, 1953. The purpose of

the club is to promote the study of fundamental entomology and

to cultivate friendly relations among those interested in the science

of entomology. Membership is open to anyone interested in the

study of insects. Regular meetings are held on the U.C.R. campus

on the first Wednesday (7 :30 p.m.) of each month. In addition to

the monthly meetings the organization sponsors field collecting trips.

During the past year the group has gone on outings to Andreas

Canyon, Deep Creek, Wrightwood, Cottonwood Springs, and twice

into southern Arizona. The evening meetings have contained many

discussions on insect collecting, classification, ecology, and biology

and numerous specimens have been exhibited. Also, several out-

side speakers and movies have been presented at the meetings.

During the first year the club, with P. H. Timberlake as president,

has grown from 15 to about 25 active members. — L. D. Anderson,

Secretary.

April, 1955]

JAMES — PLECTOPS

A NEW TACHINA FLY OF ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE

Maurice T. James

State College of Washington, Pullman

The description of the following species is being published at

this time in order to provide a name for the recording of biological

information.

Plectops amplicof nis J ames, new species

Male. Almost wholly black in ground color, including the legs, antennae

and palpi, the frontale at most with a trace of reddish in some specimens.

Vertex about 0.42, front at antennal base about 0.55, head width; frontale

about equal in width to each parafrontale. Inner verticals very long and

strong; outer verticals, postocellars, and proclinate ocellars well developed;

one pair of proclinate and one of reclinate frontoorbitals and four of frontals,

the upper pair cruciate, the lowest two at or below the antennal bases.

Facials hardly bristly, at most with a few setulae above the vibrissa and

sometimes a few scattered ones reaching not more than to the middle of the

face. Third antennal segment exceptionally large (Fig. 1), its maximum width

about 0.8 its length. Eyes practically bare, at most a few scattered hairs

evident under high magnification. Frontale opaque, parafrontale subshining

through a brownish pollen, parafacials more distinctly obscured by the pollen.

Thorax mostly subshining, the mesonotum and scutellum with thin brownish

pollen, the humeri and the pleura whitish-pollinose, the propleura and parts

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

of the mesopleura and pteropleura completely obscured by the pollen when

viewed in certain lights. Wing grayish-hyaline; vein Ri bare; vein R some-

times with a small setula dorsally before the origin of Rs, and vein Rs with

two strong setulae, one on the upper and one on the lower surface, at its

furcation; veins brown, more yellowish basally, squamae yellow, the lower

ones tending to brownish-yellow; halteres yellow. Abdomen shining, the

pollen very thin and scattered except for a band at the base of terga two,

three, and four, where the pollen is dense and white; these bands are con-

tracted, sometimes interrupted, medially on the dorsal surface, and become

somewhat broader and less definitely outlined on the ventral aspects of the

terga. Genitalia subshining; forceps small, about twice as long as broad,

bluntly rounded apically. — Length, 4 mm.

Female. Similar to the male; the vertex and front broader (0.47 head

width at vertex, 0.55 at antennal insertion), and the third antennal segment

is narrower (maximum width about 0.7 length). The front tarsi, as in male,

are not expanded.

Holotype male reared from Lotisma trigonana Walshingham

which was taken in October at Vaughn, Washington, by E. P.

Breakey on the evergreen huckleberry, Vaccinium ovatum Pursh.;

emerged December, 1951 at Puyallup, Washington. State College

of Washington Type Collection No. 175. Allotype female, same

data. Paratopotypes, 7 males, 1 female, same data. Paratypes, 1

female, Friday Harbor, Washington, June 1, 1906 (J. M. Aldrich) ;

1 female, Guemes Island, Washington, July 13, 1905 (Aldrich) .

This species traces to the genus Plectops in the Curran (1934)

and in the Townsend (1936) keys; it fails to run in the Coquillett

key ( 1897 ) , because the setulae at the apex of vein Ri are absent.

There are five species in the collection of the United States Na-

tional Museum under the name Plectops. These are: melissopodis

Coquillett (the genotype), usitata (Coquillett), aenea Coquillett,

pruinosa Malloch, and manca Greene.

P. manca differs from P. amplicornis in having the apical part

of vein M 1 + 2 ? beyond its bend, evanescent; P. melissopodis, usitata,

and pruinosa have the head and mesonotum cinereous tomentose;

and P. aenea has the head and anterior part of the mesonotum

cinereous, whereas the rest of the mesonotum is brassy-tomentose

but more yellowish than in amplicornis. The third antennal segment

of P. amplicornis is broader than in the other species, the female

amplicornis being, for example, comparable in this respect to the

male melissopodis.

LITERATURE CITED

Coquillett, D. W.

1897. Revision of the Tachinidae of America, North of Mexico. U.S.D.A.

April, 1955]

WILLIAMS — SOLIERELLA

Tech. Ser. 7. Pp. 1-156. [P. 31, couplet 22].

Curran, C. H.

1934. The Families and Genera of North American Diptera. Pp. 1-512.

C. H. Curran, New York. [P. 456, couplet 370].

Townsend, C. H. T.

1936. Manual of Myiology. Part IV. Pp. 1—303. Charles Townsend &

Filhos, Itaquaquecetuba. Sao Paulo, Brazil [P. 141, couplet 105].

A NEW SPECIES OF WASP OF THE GENUS SOLIERELLA

FROM SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

(Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

Francis X. Williams

Research Associate, Department of Entomology

California Academy of Sciences

Solierella weberi Williams, new species

Male. — Length 4 mm. Black; head and thorax subopaque, abdomen

shining ; mandibles reddish yellow beyond their middle, dark reddish apically ;

tarsi and spurs brownish. Puncturation dense, finer on abdomen. Mandibles

very slightly emarginate beneath, malar space about one-half basal width of

mandibles; clypeus depressed anteriorly to end as a spike; frons rather

gibbous, with a faint median impressed line ending anteriorly as a wedge

and thence as a carina to between the antennae; ocelli in slightly less than

a right-angle triangle, the lateral ocelli distant by a little more than their

greatest diameter from the compound eyes ; antennae only moderately stout,

gently clavate, segments 3 and 4 subequal, segment 13 very short, subconical,

shining, outwardly a little longer than segment 12. Disc of propodeum

broadly truncate triangular, reticulate, with a delicate carinate groove, not

margined laterally by a carina. Submarginal cells 1 and 2 each receiving a

recurrent vein towards their tip ; basal and transverse-median veins inter-

stitial. Pile moderate and silvery.

Holotype, male, from Riverside, California, September 26,

1948 (P. W. Weber), in collection of the California Academy of

Sciences. In fine condition. The paratype, also a male, was collected

in Riverside, September 28, 1948 (P. W. Weber). It is 3.75 mm.

long and has the disc of the propodeum coriaceous, but like the

holotype has no bounding carinae, while in the forewings the trans-

verse-median vein is slightly basad of the basal vein. Female is

unknown.

At first sight this species suggests the common and tvidely dis-

tributed and variable Solierella peckhami (Ashmead), but is

separated from the latter by the very short segment 13 of the

antennae; in S. peckhami male, segment 13 is nearly equal to the

sum of segments 10, II and 12. The non -margined propodeal disc

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

F'igure 1. — Four terminal segments of antenna of Solierella weberi,

paratype.

of the new species may not be a reliable character.

Named for Mr. P. W. Weber, entomologist with the Board of

Agriculture and Forestry, Territory of Hawaii. I am indebted to

Mr. Weber for submitting to me this and other species of Solierella

for study.

Book Review

INSECT FACT AND FOLKLORE. By Lucy W. Clausen. Macmillan Co.,

New York, xiv-f 194 pp. 1954. Price $3.50.

This is an easy to read little book that was written primarily to introduce

laymen to the field of entomology. In order to achieve this purpose the

author has relied heavily upon those anecdotes, stories, superstitions, verses,

and bits of information which would prove both interesting and informative

to the general reader. Insects as they are utilized as a source of food by

man and especially as they play a role in the folklore of various people are

dealt with. She has infused just enough technical entomology to make the

text comprehensible and to provide the reader with an appreciation of insects

and what they are.

After the first chapter, which orients the reader to entomology, each

chapter pertains to a group of insects, i.e., moths and butterflies, beetles,

orthopteroids, flies, bees, ants, wasps, bugs, dragonflies and damselflies, ter-

mites, fleas, and lice. Also included is a chapter on insect-produced plant

galls. The last chapter is devoted to a discussion of entomology as a science,

in regard to its past history, present endeavors and achievements, and future

possibilities.

The book will probably serve well its intended purpose. Indeed even the

research entomologist and teacher will find much that is new and interesting.

As might be expected in such a compilation of facts and stories, some errors

have found there way into it. However, these are few in number and do not

detract seriously from the over-all authenticity of the book nor from its

interest. The illustrations which are sprinkled through the pages are not

styled in the explanatory manner of scientific drawings, but convey adequately

the general facies of the insect. — Jerome G. Rozen, Jr., University of Cali-

fornia, Berkeley.

April, 1955]

SLEEPER — RHYNCHOPHORA

NEW RHYNCHOPHORA FROM WESTERN UNITED STATES

(Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Elbert L. Sleeper

Department of Zoology and Entomology,

Ohio State University, Columbus

The following species new to science were found in material

sent to the author for identification by C. A. Frost (C.A.F.) of

Framingham, Massachusetts, and H. B. Leech of the California

Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (C.A.S.). Additional material

represented in the collection of the writer has been included

(E.L.S.). The author is indebted to both for type material.

Podapion alexanderi Sleeper, new species

Male — Elongate, subcylindrical, parallel; black, opaque, an-

tennae reddish brown : sparsely clothed with short, fine, prostrate,

pale pubescence.

Rostrum as long as pronotum, very strongly curved, smooth shining,

finely, sparsely punctulate. Head convex, coarsely punctate, rugose between

eyes; each puncture with a very short fine seta. Prothorax slightly wider

than long, sides evenly rounded, feebly constricted at apex; pronotum coarse-

ly punctate, intervals between punctures finely alutaceous. Scutellum short,

rounded posteriorly. Elytra elongate, sides divergent in basal two-thirds,

then rounded to apex ; striae deep ; punctures rounded, approximately own

diameter apart, each with a short, fine, prostrate seta; intervals broad, flat,

finely alutaceous, punctures not apparent; pubescence short, fine prostrate;

first interval depressed behind scutellum in basal fourth. Ventral side with

abdominal segments coarsely punctate, clothed with short, fine, prostrate

pubescence. Length 3.4 mm., width 1.4 mm.

Female: Unknown.

Holotjpe, <S , Glacier Pt. Bog, [Yosemite National Park,

Altitude 7600 Feet], California VH-24-1946 (C. P. Alexander,

E.L.S.).

Easily separated from P. gallicola Riley by the shorter sparser

pubescence, near absence of an apical constriction of the prothorax

and the coarse punctures of the abdominal segments. This may

be tbe P. gallicola from California of Fall (1898) in his mono-

graph of the Apion.

Smicronyx mackenziei Sleeper, new species

Male. — Elongate-oval; black, femora and tibiae dark reddish

black; densely clothed with prostrate, overlapping, pearl white,

flat elongate-oval scales and semierect, long, narrow, yellowish

white scales.

Rostrum about one-half longer than pronotum, evenly curved, basal half

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

strongly, coarsely punctured, punctures of apical half finer; a broad median

smooth line dorsally. Antennae inserted at apical two-fifths; scape not at-

taining eyes. Second segment of funicle longer than third, elongate. Scape

and funicle densely clothed with large white scales. Club finely densely

pubescent. Head finely closely punctate. Constriction between rostrum and

head very strong. Prothorax as long as wide, sides evenly arcuate with a

prominent apical constriction; pronotum with sparsely placed, coarse, shal-

low punctures, area between punctures strongly alutaceous; sculpture ob-

scured by dense vestiture. Scutellum minute, rounded. Elytra with sides

parallel in basal half, then arcuate to apices; humeri evenly rounded; striae

feebly impressed; strial punctures minute, barely perceptible; intervals

broad, flat, finely wrinkled transversely; semierect, long narrow scales in a

single row on each interval. Ventral side clothed as dorsum, broad flat

scales sparser on abdominal segments which are smooth, shining, very

sparsely punctured, each puncture with a scale. Prosternum deeply emargi-

nate before coxae. Legs clothed as body; all tibiae unguiculate. Claws long,

slender, slightly divergent, feebly connate in basal fourth. Length 2.2 mm.,

width 1.0 mm.

Female . — Rostrum longer, more slender, feebly curved. Length 2.3 mm.,

width 1.1 mm.

Holotype, cT, and allotype, Borrego, California IV-6-40

(G. P. Mackenzie, E.L.S.). Two paratypes, both males (E.L.S.,

andC.A.F.).

S. mackenziei belongs in the corniculatus group of Dietz (1894) .

It keys to sprucus Casey (= vestitus LeConte), but is wholly

unlike any of the species in this group. It differs from vestitus

(— sprucus) in having the scales above white instead of pale

brown, and the prothorax without vittae; prosternum is emargi-

nate before the coxae. S. mackenziei superficially resembles resplen-

dens but may be easily separated by the feebly connate tarsal

claws, instead of to middle.

Rhynchaenus griseus Sleeper, new species

Female. — Elongate-oval, subdepressed; black, antennae, legs,

and tarsi dark reddish brown; densely clothed with short, coarse,

appressed, yellow setae. Scutellum densely clothed with yellowish

white pubescence.

Rostrum three-fourths longer than pronotum, feebly curved, cylindrical,

coarsely deeply punctured in basal two-thirds, finer in apical fourth. An-

tennae inserted in basal fourth, scape not attaining eye. Funicle six-

segmented, first segment robust and one-half longer than second, second

and third subequal. Club strongly ovate, compact. Head coarsely, closely

punctate. Eyes prominent, strongly convex, separated by less than one-tenth

their diameter. Prothorax one-half wider than long, sides strongly rounded

to apical constriction; pronotum closely, coarsely, deeply punctured, each

puncture with a recurved seta. Elytra with sides evenly rounded from base

April, 1955]

SLEEPER RHYNCHOPHORA

to apex, widest about middle; humeri rounded, not prominent; striae

deeply impressed, strial punctures large, round, deep, about their own

diameter apart, each puncture with a prostrate yellow seta ; intervals strong-

ly confusedly punctate, area between punctures alutaceous. Ventral side

with vestiture as on dorsum but sparser. Abdominal segments strongly

convex, finely, densely punctured; fifth segment longer than fourth, posterior

margin evenly rounded at apex. Posterior femora robust with one large and

two small denticles. Tibiae thin, flattened on exterior surface, anterior and

posterior edges straight. Claws with a broad tooth basally. Length 3.2 mm.,

width 1.5 mm.

Male . — Very similar to female, but differs in having the rostrum slightly

shorter and pygidium broadly exposed.

Holotype, 9, Greenlee County, Arizona near Bullard Peak

VIII-20-42 (C. W, Jones, E.L.S.). Allotype, cf, Whitewater Forest

Camp, 5 mi. N.E. of Glenwood, Catron County, New Mexico

VIII-21-52 (H. B. Leech and J. W. Green, C.A.S.). Fifty-two para-

types as follows: 9 Whitewater Forest Camp, VIII-21-52 (H. B.

Leech and J. W. Green), 3 Sycamore Creek, Yavapai County, Ari-

zona VIII-18-42 {C. W. Jones, E.L.S.) ; 36 Whitewater Forest

Camp VIII-21-52, on mulberry leaves (H. B. Leech and J. W.

Green, C.A.S.) ; 5 from 4 mi. N.E. Glenwood, New Mexico VIII-

20-52 (H. B, Leech and J. W. Green, C.A.F.) .

This species is nearest R. puberulus (Boheman) but differs in

having denser yellow pubescence, narrower hind tibiae, more

densely punctured pronotum and denser, shorter, coarser vesti-

ture of abdominal segments.

Strongylotes parallela Champion

Strongylotes parallelus Champion 1907: 207.

Three examples of this species have been collected by Profes-

sor and Mrs. J. N. Knull in the Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona,

all are deposited in the Entomological Collection at Ohio State

University. S. parallela was described from Ciudad in Durango,

Mexico and as far as I am able to ascertain was previously known

only from the type series.

LITERATURE CITED

Champion, George C.

1907. Rhynchophora, Coleoptera IV, pt. 5. Biologia Centrali-Americana.

513 pp.

Dietz, W. G.

1894. Revision of the genera and species of Desmori of North America.

Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 18:177-276.

Fall, H. C.

1898. Revision of the species of Apion of America North of Mexico.

Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc. 25:105-184.

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BIOLOGY OF ANOPLIUS

FULGIDUS CRESSON

( Hymenoptera : Pompilidae )

Marius S. Wasbauer

University of California, Berkeley

In February 1953, at Ft. Sam Houston, Bexar County, Texas,

a population of small bluish wasps was discovered in the vicinity

of an artesian well on Salado Creek. Two females and eight males

were collected and subsequently identified as Aiioplius (Anoplius)

fulgidus Cresson. The banks of Salado Creek are composed of

heavy loam densely covered hy herbaceous growth, mainly grass.

It is a slow moving, muddy, warm water stream for the most part

but the water entering from the artesian well is clear and relatively

fast and it is only in this area that the wasps were found. They

moved extremely rapidly, flying very near the water surface and

frequently dodging in and out through the grass and other low

herbage that covered the bank. From the first, it was evident that

the males far outnumbered the females. The latter, when seen,

were usually running over the ground near the water’s edge,

vigorously applying their antennae to the various objects they en-

countered. Dead leaves and dry reed stems seemed to have a

particular attraction. One female was observed to investigate under

a single leaf five times in the space of ten minutes. Whenever

females appeared on the scene, the males in the vincinity became

greatly agitated and often followed them along the ground, rapidly

twitching their wings. Every female seen had a complement of

from one to four interested males following her erratic progress

along the ground and through the vegetation. In two cases, males

flew down and alighted on females that were resting on vertical

reed stems. One of these pairs separated immediately and the other

fell or flew down among the bases of the reeds and was lost to view.

In several instances females turned and drove the males off. It

seems apparent that sexual activity was occuring but whetheror

not coitus had taken place in the above cases was impossible to

determine due to the rapidity of the insects’ movements.

On February 10, at 2:10 p.m., a small female was observed

dragging a spider in a dense stand of reeds about a foot offshore.

The spider was gripped by the base of one of the hind legs and

the wasp was slowly, laboriously towing it backwards up a nearly

April, 1955]

WASBAUER ANOPLIUS BIOLOGY

vertical reed stem. Its progress was continually hampered by the

front tarsi of the prey catching on the stem. At one such time, it

lost its grip and the spider slid down and off into the water. Alter

nervously running back and forth with rapid wing twitching, the

pompilid flitted down and, alighting on the water, picked up the

spider again by the hind leg, and returned to the stem. It then

shifted its grip to the abdominal pedicel, trailing both the cephalo-

thorax and abdomen. At 2:30 p.m. it reached a portion of the

blade that had picked up some floating detritus at an earlier period

of high water and deposited the spider in a shallow depression in

the debris, flying off immediately thereafter. An hour later the

spider was collected but subsequent examination showed no evi-

dence of oviposition. There was a large irregular hole in the

posterior portion of the cephalothorax, indicating that it may have

been used for feeding purposes. Dr. W. J. Gertsch later kindly

identified it as a female Pirata sedentarius Montgomery (Lycos-

idae) which he characterized (in lift.) as “ ... a water loving

spider and quite frequently amphibious.”

On February 11, another wasp was seen repeating essentially

the same process, but before observation got underway the wasp

flew with its prey into the dense tangled grass of the stream bank

and disappeared, reappearing immediately thereafter but without

the spider, A careful search of the area was made but the lost

arachnid could not be located.

The actual alighting of a wasp on the water was a seemingly

purposeful action and is thus of considerable interest. Later, an-

other observer, Mr. R. Fulghum, reported seeing a female from

this same population run across the water before taking flight.

Observations were made on tbe Salado Creek wasps whenever

time permitted, for short periods at weekly intervals. No further

nesting activity was noted after February 16, and females were

not seen after the end of that month, although males persisted until

about March 15, when they too disappeared.

The early dissipation of the population might be explained on

the basis that the artesian well area was the site of emergence

and that the adults were merely reluctant to leave for greener

pastures. This seems unlikely, however, since apparently nesting

activity was going on there and although the stream was explored

THE PAN-PACIFIC ENTOMOLOGIST [vOL. XXXI, NO. 2

for two miles in either direction after their disappearance from

the original site, not a single wasp could be found.

From the meager information available on this species, it

seems that it is not often attracted to flowers. In eighteen months of

collecting in the vicinity of Bexar County, Texas by several persons,

a number of species of Anoplius (sensu lato) were taken on the

blossoms of many plants, especially the suffrutescent species and

more particularly Condalia^ Coluhrina and Baccharis but Anoplius

(A.) fulgidus was conspicuous by its absence. The few specimens

taken by the author at Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend National

Park, Texas, were collected on a bare sand-mud bank along the

Rio Grande River. Of the 52 specimens seen by Evans (1951 :341) ,

one female, taken at Limpia Canyon, Jeff Davis County, Texas

(by that author) was on flowers of Baccharis glutinosus.

It is interesting to note that although its morphological pattern

suggests a close relationship with virginiensis Cresson, in habitat

preference at least, fulgidus seems to show affinities with ithaca

(Banks) and depressipes (Banks). Information on the biologies

of these related species is given by Evans (1948, 1949), Rau

(1934) , and Caudell (1922) .

LITERATURE CITED

Caudell, A. N.

1922. A diving wasp. Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. 24(5) : 125— 126.

Evans, H. E.

1948. Biological notes on two species of Anoplius (Hymenoptera:

Pompilidae ) . Ent. News. 59(7) ilSO— 183.

1949. The strange habits of Anoplius depressipes Banks: a mystery

solved (Hymenoptera. Pompilidae). Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash.

51(5) :206-208.

1951. A taxonomic study of the nearctic spider wasps belonging to the

tribe Pompilini (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae). Part 2. Trans.

Amer. Ent. Soc. 76:207—361. 12 pi.

Rau, Phil.

1934. Pompilid wasps and prey transportation by water. Psyche. 41(4) :

241-242.

My crops

are safe

Shell agricultural chemicals are top controls

for dozens of important pests.

On the farm and in the home, Shell Chemi-

cal’s powerful modern chemicals become

ever more useful in man’s war against pests.

a I d r i n

Soil and Turf Insects — rootworms, wire-

worms, white grubs, lawn chinch bugs,

green June beetle larvae, European chafer

grubs, root maggots, Japanese beetle lar-

vae and others. Aldrin is widely used on

corn, peanuts, turf, sugar beets, potatoes

and other crops.

Cotton Pests — ■ Aldrin’s fast, economical

control of boll weevil and other pests has

boosted yields and profits throughout the

cotton belt.

d i e I d r i n

On crops where long residual action is a

must . . . dieldrin is recognized as the top

control. Here are a few of the insects that

this insecticide controls:

Cotton — boll weevil, thrips, cutworms,

plant bugs.

Public Health Pests — mosquitoes, house-

flies, fleas, ticks, chiggers.

Grasshoppers — Dieldrin has proved to be

the most effective control in the U.S. be-

cause of its long residual action.

Lawn and Turf Insects — ants, Japanese

beetle larvae, white grubs, chinch bugs,

earwigs.

Fruit — plum curculio and “catfacing” in-

sects on apples and peaches.

Household Pests — roaches, silverfish, wasps,

carpet beetles, ants.

e n d r i n

Endrin has already set a sensational record

as a control for two of the most difficult

tobacco pests . . . hornworm and budworm.

It has proved to be effective and economical

on cotton crops. Advanced testing indicates

that endrin will gain approval and recom-

mendation for many more major crop pests

in the near future.

D - D (R)

This is the tried and proven soil fumigant

that controls nematodes in tobacco soil, as

well as in the soil used to grow many food

crops.

C B P

This unique soil fumigant is a two-way

weapon against nematodes and fungi. Use

it for ornamentals, turf and nursery propa-

gation beds and tobacco seed beds. It is

simple to apply as a drench.

AA weed-seed killer

An effective contact herbicide for control of

weed and grass seed in tobacco, nursery,

vegetable, and other seed beds. Apply as

a drench.

Write for latest technical information.

SHELL CHEMICAL CORPORATION

Agricultural Chemicals Division

P.O. Box 1617 • DENVER 1, COLORADO

Atlanta - Houston - New York - San Francisco

St. Louis - Jackson, Miss.

MANUFACTURERS AND PROCESSORS

• Sulphur

• Insecticides

• Fertilizers

• Seeds

May we be of service to you?

Contact any of our field

or office personnel.

Home Office and Plant

Sunlond Ave. Fresno, California

P. O. Box 1669 Phone Fresno 6-9881

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