ITONIDA INOPIS O. S. By E. P. FELT, Albany, N. Y. 1862 Csten Sacken, C. R. Mon. Dipt. N. Amer. 1: 196-97 Cecidomyia 1890 Packard, A. S. U. S. Entomol. Com. 5th Rep't., p. 800 Diplosis 1910 Smith, J. B. Ins. N. J. List, p. 732 (Cecidomyia.. 1911 Felt, E. P. Econ. Ent. Journ. 4 : 465 Cecidomyia). Numerous resinous cocoons of this interesting gall midge were found on the needles of scrub pine, Pinus rigida at Karner, N. Y., May 22, 1912, adults soon commencing to issue therefrom and numerous parasites, Polygnotus diplosidis Ashm., being reared May 27 and 28. An examination of shoots bearing infested needles showed distinct swellings some 7 mm. long here and there, accompanied by more or less exudation of pitch. Some of these were contiguous and produced a nearly uniform enlargement extending for several inches on twigs of last year's growth. A few larvae were found within the swellings and numerous cocoons upon the needles, most of the midges having emerged by the 27th. The habits as outlined above and the characters of the cocoon and larva to be given below, agree with those given by Osten Sacken for a species observed on Pinus virginiana P. inops, and as these two pines are closely allied there can be little doubt as to the identity of the insect. The midges, issuing the latter part of May or early in June, deposit their reddish orange eggs upon the needles and developing young growth, probably mostly on the latter under natural conditions. The maggots soon hatch and establish themselves in the tissues while the latter are still tender. It is very probable that part of Packard's account of Diploxes pinirigidae' refers to this species, since we have failed to find any such resinous cocoons on needles of limbs bearing the characteristically deformed leaf clusters associated with this species. The female des cribed in this account may be I. inopis, since the adult was reared from a cocoon at the proper time. It would be very easy to overlook the galls of P. inopis, especially if the infestation was sparse, and associate the cocoon, as Packard apparently did, with the deformed needles, This species approaches the pitch midge, Itonida resinicola O. S. from which it is distinguished by its larger size, darker color and shorter antennal stems in the male. It is somewhat smaller than the western pitch midge, I. resinicolaude's Wlms., a form easily recognized by struetural characteristics. There is a difference in habit as well as color in the Luropean Itonida pini DeG. The species of Itonida infesting + 1800 U. S. Entomol Com. 5th Rep' p. 79% 800, August, '12] FELT: ITONIDA INOPIS pine resemble each other and may warrant segregation in a genus by themselves. DESCRIPTION. Gall. Length 7 mm., a more or less distinct, subcortical swelling containing an irregularly oval chamber some 4 mm. long and 3 mm. in diameter. These swellings are frequently indicated by more or less exuding pitch. Egg. Length 0.5 mm., narrowly oval, reddish orange. Larva. Length 3 mm., reddish orange, moderately stout end with a series of subdorsal and lateral, conical, fleshy processes, the latter bearing moderately stout spines. On the posterior segment these proceses seem to be fused and there appear to be a pair of submedian, lobelike processes, each bearing apically a heavy, chitinous, subconical structure supporting the spiracle, the latter being further protected by four short, stout, fingerlike processes. The head is small, tapering and remarkable because of the greatly produced, diverging processes at the latero-posterio angles; breastbone indistinct. The skin is coarsely shagreened. Cocoon. Length 2.75 mm., diameter 1.5 mm., irregularly oval, whitish or yellowish white, becoming fuscous with the development of the insect and sometimes irregularly fluted; the anterior extremity is irregularly pointed, the insect escaping by forcing off a conical lid. The cocoons are attached by the side to the needles, to the developing shoots and occasionally to the twig. Exuvium. Length 3 mm., the head and thorax and their appendages distinctly though variably fuscous, the abdomen semitransparent. The pupa, when escaping from the cocoon, emerges so as to expose only the fuscous portion of the exuvium. Antennae short, stout, hardly extending to the base of the abdomen, the wing covers to the third abdominal segment, the legs to the 6th and 7th abdominal segments. Antennae about as long as the body, sparsely haired, Male. Length 2.25 mm. reddish brown; 14 segments, the fifth having the stems 1-2 and as long as their diameters, respectively. Distal enlargement nearly subcylindric, with a length 1-4 greater than its diameter, the circumfili moderately short, stout and with numerous loops. Terminal segment; distal enlargement produced, with a length 2 1-2 times its diameter, a constriction near the middle and an irregular, stout process apically. Palpi; first and second segments short, stout, irregular, the third with a length four times its diameter, moderately stout, the fourth 1-4 longer than the third, slightly dilated. Mesonotum dark brown, the submedian lines short, silver haired. Scutellum reddish brown, postscutellum dark brown. Abdomen dark reddish brown, the genitalia with a reddish cast. Wings hyaline, costa reddish brown. Halteres reddish brown, yellowish basally. Coxae reddish brown, the legs mostly a pale straw, the tarsi slightly darker. Claws moderately stout, slightly curved, simple, the pulvilli longer than the claws. Genitalia; basal clasp segment stout; terminal clasp segment short, swollen basally; dorsal plate short, very broadly and triangularly emarginate; ventral plate moderately long, broad and triangularly emarginate; style short, stout, broadly rounded. Antennae extending to the third abdominal segment, Female. Length 3 mm. sparsely haired, reddish brown; 14 segments. The fifth having the stem 1-4 the length of the cylindric basal enlargement, which latter has a length 2 1-2 times its diameter. Circumfili moderately high, stout; terminal segment slightly produced, with a length thrice its diameter, with an irregular, broad knob apically. Abdomen reddish brown, the ovipositor about half the length of the body, fuscous yellowish, the terminal lobes lanceolate, with a length over four times the width, sparsely haired; legs mostly reddish brown, otherwise nearly as in the male. Cecid a2284. 5 PACIFIC COAST INSPECTORS ASSOCIATION The meeting of the Pacific Coast Inspectors Association was called to order by Mr. M. L. Dean, Horticulturist of State of Montana. By vote Mr. M. L. Dean was made President of the Association; Mr. J. Edward Taylor, State Horticultural Inspector for Utah, VicePresident, and Mr. J. U. McPherson, Horticulturist for Idaho, Secretary and Treasurer; with J. P. O'Gara of Medford, Oregon, F. A. Huntley of Tacoma, Washington, Dr. A. J. Cook of Sacramento, California, and Prof. C. P. Gillette of Fort Collins, Colorado, as members of the Executive Committee. Chairman, Mr. M. L. Dean, authorized the Secretary to draft the Constitution and By-Laws of the Association, subject to the acceptance at the next meeting, which place and time is to be set by the President of the Association, and at which time the matter of fees to maintain the organization will be brought up. The organization will, also, include in its membership all persons who are interested or engaged in the horticultural inspection work. either actively or in an advisory capacity. Being no further business, the meeting adjourned subject to the call of the President. Salt Lake City, Utah, June 4, 1912. CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS Article I. This organization shall be known as the Pacific Coast Inspectors Association. Article II. The object of this Association shall be to promote and foster the horticultural interests and inspection work of the Western States: Montana, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Washington, California, Oregon, Wyoming, New Mexico, Nevada. Arizona, Texas, and British Columbia. Article III. Any person, who is employed in inspection work, either actively, ex officio, or in an advisory capacity, can become a regular member of this Association upon the signing of the Constitution and the paving of annual dues. Any person, who is connected with the inspection work in other states of the Union, may become associate members upon invitation of the Executive Committee A«» ciate members shall have the privilege of the Association, except holding office and voting; and they shall not be required to pay annual dues, Article IV. The officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vices President, and Secretary-Treasurer; and Executive Committee made up of the aforesaid officers and four more to be clected; and an Advisory Committee to consist - f the chief inspection ofheer of each state represented in the Association They shal be elected by a ballot at each annual meeting Their services shall begin at the close of the session at which they are elected, and continue for one year. The Pre-2dent can hold office during only two consecutive years. Article V. The Association shall hold at least one meeting annually, at such a time and place as the Executive Committee designate. Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee when the interests of the Association shall require it. Article VI. The President, with the consent of the Executive Committee, shall appoint such committees as seem advisable for the best interest of the Association. Article VII. The Constitution may be amended or changed at any regular meeting in the following manner: 1.-All proposed amendments must be filed with the Secretary at the opening of the annual meeting. 2.-No amendment can be acted upon by the Association unless read by the President at first session of annual meeting. 3.-The By-Laws of this Association may be amended by a majority vote of the regular members in attendance. Article VIII. The annual dues of the members of this Association shall be fixed by the Executive Committee subject to change at any regular meeting. The dues of the ensuing year shall be $1.00. DUTCH INSPECTION SERVICE We have at hand a recent communication from Dr. J. Ritzema Bos of the Phytopathological Service of Holland, calling attention to minor changes in the certificates from the form published in the February issue of the JOURNAL, pages 85–86. The modifications in the certificate are mostly in a transposition of the data relating to destination and contents. The copy certificate is modified to contain a specific provision against infestation by the brown-tail moth, and provision is also made for numbering and the Service stamp. Dr. Bos, in his communication, states that every consignment from Holland must be provided with a certificate, both stamped and numbered, adding that the Dutch Inspection Service must not be held responsible for shipments not accompanied by these certificates. He would also esteem it a favor if parties receiving from Holland nursery stock, which had not been inspected, would notify him in regard to the same. GIESY MOTH A small colony, apparently of about three years' standing, and practically confined to a city block, was discovered recently at Geneva, N. Y. No expense is being spared and an early extermination of this out-lying colony may be expected. Similar infestations may develop elsewhere, and the probability of such occurrences emphasizes the need of careful inspection. OFFICIAL ORGAN AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGISTS AUGUST, 1912 The editors will thankfully receive news items and other matter likely to be of interest to subscribers. Papers will be published, so far as possible, in the order of reception. All extended contributions, at least, should be in the hands of the editor the first of the month preceding publication. Reprints may be obtained at cost. Contributors are requested to supply electrotypes for the larger illustrations so far as possible. The receipt of all papers will be acknowledged.-Eds. The economic entomologist certainly deserves all the credit he receives, since altogether too frequently enthusiasts in this branch of natural science are called upon to serve at a rediculously low compensation, considering the requirements of the position. Personal notes, records of achievements and summaries of the life work of our associates are valuable stimuli to professional workers and frequently give the layman a glimpse of conditions as they exist. We print in this issue a series of memorial resolutions, feeling that the party richly deserves all of the honor conveyed or implied thereby, and yet we are of the opinion that in most cases an obituary notice with its summary of the life work, is of more interest to readers and will prove of greater historical value. The economic entomologist is not primarily a systematist, yet he is occasionally compelled by exigencies to undertake taxonomic work and not infrequently encounters perplexing questions in nomenclature. The Entomological Code, recently compiled by Messrs. Banks and Caudell, promises to be of much service in affording a basis at least, for the settlement of troublesome problems. It is extremely unlikely, as the authors point out, that all the provisions will be satisfactory to any worker, yet it is an important step toward unifying procedure, and we trust that all entomologists will interpret the provisions of the Code in a comprehensive manner and with due regard to the welfare of Science as a whole. The authors, in undertaking this task, mostly thankless we fear, have laid their fellow workers under a burden of debt, an obligation which will become more evident with the progress of time. This issue, following the example of some popular magazines, might be denominated our western number, since it contams the Proceedings of the Pacific Slope Association of Economie Entomologists with its valuable contributions from entomologists in that section of the country. All such matter is gladly published. It is not our intention |