List of Coleoptera and Diptera taken at Quebec and other parts of Lower Canada

 

By William Couper

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, New Series, No. 2 (1864)]

 

[Presented to tho Society 6th January, 1861.]

 

COLEOPTERA.

 

THE species with an * occur also in tho vicinity of Toronto, Upper Canada. Those described under genera, without specific names, do not appear iu Melsheimer's or LeConte's catalogues, and are, therefore, supposed to be either obscure forms described by old authors or at present unknown to American entomologists. The species to which n. s. is attached are new.

 

CICINDELA Linn.

 

longilabris Say. albilabris Kirby.  Taken at Lorette. June. *sexguttata Fabr, violacoa Fabr. In the woods. July, *vulgaris Say. obliquata Dej. tranquebarica Herbst. Common. *duodecimguttata Dej. proteus Kirby. Quebec. August. . Sandy roads, hirticollis Say. albohirta Dej. unita Kollar. gravida Lec. Common on sandy roads in August.

 

LORICERA Latr.

*pilicornis Latr. Carab. pilicornis Fabr. In woods. July. Rare.

 

NEBRIA Latr.

 

castenipes Lec. Helobia cast. Kirby. Under stones near woodland brooks. June and July.

 

CALOSOMA Fabr.

 

*calidum Fabr. In fields. July and August. Common. *frigidum Lec. St. Louis road. Very rare. I have taken numerous specimens of this insect on the island opposite Toronto.

 

CARABUS Linn.

 

Serratus Say. lineatopunctatus Dej. In  fields, under stones. July. Common. Lapilayi Laporte. Under stones, &c. June and July. Uncommon.

 

BRACHINUS Weber.

 

fumans Fabr. librator. Dej. Quebec. Attracted by candle light. July. Very rare.

 

LEBIA Latr.

 

*viridis Say. ; Dej. Taken on flowers. July. pumila Dej. floricola Harris. On flowers. Uncommon.

 

CYMINDIS Latr.

 

reflexa Lec. Uncommon.

 

CALATHUS Bon.

 

gregarius Dej. Feronia greg. Say. Rare.

 

PLATYNUS Bon.

 

picipennis Lec. Agonumpic.  Kirby. Rare. pusillus Lec. Anchus pusillus Lec. Rare.

sinuatus Lec. Anchomenus sin. Dej. Under bark of trees during summer. chalceus Lec. Agonum chalceus Dej. Under stones. Uncommon. *cupripennis Lec. Agon. cupr. Dej. Feronia cupr. Say. Com. *octopunctatus Lec. CaraWs oct. Fabr. Feronia oct. Say. Agonum oct. Dej. In fields. Uncommon. placidus Lec. Feronia pi. Say. Ag. morosum Dej. Common.

 

PTEROSTIOHUS Bon.

 

*lucublaudus Lec. Pœc. lucublandus Kirby. (See LeConte's Catalogue for synonyms.) Common. It forms the second section Pœcilus Bon. under this family. stygieus Lec. Feronia styg. Say. Fer. bisigillata Harris. Omaseus rugicollis Hold. Under leaves in woods. Common.

*luczotii Lec. Fer. lucz. Dej. Fer. oblongonotata Say. Race a sexpunctatus (Mann.) PL obtusangula Motsch. I have given the synonyms of this species, together with the form sexpunctatus (Mann.) which is considered as a race. It occurs rather common in fields near Quebec, and also at Owen Sound, U. C. I have not met with it at Toronto. It is placed by LeConte under Platysma Bon., the eighth section of the family.

 

AMARA Bon.

 

impuncticollis Say. Am. authracina Hald. Am. difficillis Lec. Am. brunnipes Motsch. Uncommon. July. The following species is an addition to our fauna:— Black, glossy, without dorsal punctures Three first joints of antennas rufous, the remaining eight black: Elytra with eight stria) on each, and an abbreviated one on each side the scutellum: tibias tinged with rufous. Length 5/16 inch. Quebec. Uncommon.

 

CHAENIUS Bon.

 

*sericeus Say. Car. set. Forster. var. Chi. perviridis Lec. Com. *tricolor Dej. Common during summer.

 

ANISODACTYLUS Dej.

 

ellipticus Lec. Common. This insect is placed under the second section Triplectrus Lec.

 

HARPALUS Latr.

 

herbivagus Say. Ophonus mutabilis Hald. var. H. proximus Lec. The two varieties are poromon at Quebec. viridiaeneus Beauv. viridis Say. assimilis Dej. Two varieties of this insect occurs commonly at Quebec.

 

STENOLOPHUS Dej.

 

humilis Dej. This species is placed by Le Conte under the second section Aeupalpus Dej.

 

HALIPLUS Latr.

 

immaculicollis Harris. Americanus Aubé. Common in ponds in the neighborhood of Quebec.

Of this genus I have also two species taken in company with the above. Both are twice the size of "immaculicollis." The largest has the thorax yellow with a transverse oval black spot on the anterior margin behind the eyes.— The elytra are closely punctured, and possess the characteristic markings of the genus. The thorax of the other is yellow, but with a central black circular punctured spot on each side of the posterior margin, and the latter within the spots is also black. In this species the elytra are more coarsely, but less densely punctured.

 

LACCOPHILUS Leach.

 

maculosus Say. Dytiscus mac. Germ. Common in ponds during the summer.

 

ANISOMERA Aubé.

 

Two species from the neighborhood of Quebec are new to our insect fauna. I describe them in detail.

 

1. Body depressed, black, glossy, with minute scattered punctures: scutellum small triangular: antennæ, palpi legs and front of head of a dark chestnut color: anterior tibiæ, spined: tarsi with ungues. Length 5/8 inch. Quebec, in ponds. Uncommon.

 

2. Depressed, black,  but not so polished as the former: Antennæ palpi, legs and anterior margin of elytra dark chestnut. The tibiæ are spined, and the anterior tarsi provided with ungues, Length ¼ inch. Quebec, in ponds. Uncommon.

 

COLYMBETES Clairv.

 

*biguttulus Lec. Dytiscus big. Germ. Ilybius fenestralis Aubé var. H. pleuriticus Lec. Common in ponds during summer. quadrimaculatus (Aubé). In ponds, but not frequent.

 

ACILIUS Leach.

 

fraternus Lec. Dytiscus frat. Harris Ac. scmisulcatus Aubé. In ponds. Uncommon. August.

The female has four finely granulated grooves occupying longitudinally the third part of elytra. Each groove shortens anteriorly towards the suture.

 

HYDROCHARIS Latr.

 

obtusatus Lec. Hydrophilus ob. Say. Ponds. Uncommon.

 

NECROPHORUS Fabr.

 

Melsheimeri Kirby. Very rare. mortuorum Fabr.  pygæus Kirby. crispetus Motsch. Occasional

during summer. *velutinus Fabr. tomentosus Weber. This is also an occasional species.

 

NECRODES Wilkin.

 

*surinainensis Fabr. Common.

 

THANATOPHILUS Leach.

 

*lapponica Herbst. caudata Say. tuberculata Germ, granigera Cheve. Common. *marginalis Fabr. noveboracensis Forster. Common.

 

NECROPHILA Kirby.

 

*peltata Lec. scarabacus pelt. Catesby. Silpha americana Linn. var. Oiceoptoma terminatum Kirby. var. O. affine Kirby. var. O. Canadense Kirby.

CREOPHILUS Stephens.

 

*villosus Kirby. Staphylinus vill. Grav. Uncommon.

 

LEISTOTROPHUS Perty.

 

*cingulatus Kraatz, Staphylinus cing. Grav. S. chrysurus Kirby. S. speciosus Mann. Rare.

 

Three species taken during last summer are still undetermined. The following descriptions may, in the meantime, serve to rank them as additions to our insect fauna:—

 

Maxillary palpi composed of three joints, the third moderately elongate: antennæ inserted at the anterior margin in front inside the mandibles, not strongly geniculate, 11-jointe: head as wide as thorax, flattened, densely punctured: eyes not elevated: thorax densely punctured.

 

They evidently belong to LeCoute's Third sub-tribe XANTHOLINUS.

 

1. Black; antennfc  ferriiginons; femora, tibia and tarsi rufous. A smooth line from the anterior centre of the head, widening and elevated at the end of thorax, the latter with three large punctures on the margin: scutellum concave, margin smooth: abdomen margined, composed of six rings. Length ½ inch. Quebec. Uncommon.

 

2. Head steel-blue, polished; thorax purple, polished, with a longitudinal central smooth line: scutellum as in the former; Elytra same color as thorax, but the suturai margins are smooth, having a stria on each : anterior rings of abdomen pubescent at margins; apex steel-blue, beneath punctured. Length 9/16 inch. Quebec. Very rare.

 

3. Maxillary palpi rufous: antennse, head and thorax dark rufous, the latter with a smooth longitudinal central line: scutellum black, margined and of same form as that last described: Elytra bright rufous, the suturai margins smooth and narrow : posterior margin of abdominal rings and the apex entirely rufous: tibiae and tarsi rufous Length 9/16 inch. Quebec. Very rare.

 

LATHROBIUM Grav.

 

puncticolle Kirby. July and August. Rare.

 

CRYPTOBIUM Mann.

 

*bicolor Er. Lathrobiurn bic. Grav. August.

 

PAEDERUS Grav.

 

*riparius Fabr. Sometimes common. In U. Canada this species congregate at the roots of trees in the fall, when they enter cavities under the bark, &o., and remain during winter.

 

OXYPORUS Fabr.

 

rufipennis Lec. In fungi. This is a now species lately described by Mr. LeConfce. His insect came from the Western States.

 

PLATYSOMA Leach.

 

*Lecontei (Mars.) This genus forms the fourth section under the family HISTRINI. It is found beneath bark of decayed trees.

 

IPS Fabr.

 

*Dejeanii Kirby. sepulcharlis Randall. Very common.

 

CUCUJUS Fabr.

 

 *clayipes Fabr. Under hark of trees. Rare

 

PEDIACUS Shuckard.

 

planus Lec. Sylvanus planus Lec. Under bark. Rare.

 

DERMESTES Linn.

 

*lardarius Linn. Extremely common.

 

CYTILUS Er.

 

*varius Er. Byrrhus varius Fabr. B. trivitattus Mels. var. B. alternatus Say. Common north of Beauport.

 

BYRRHUS Linn.

 

Kirbyi Lec. Occurs at Gape Diamond behind the Citadel. Not common. Two additional species occur in the vicinity of the city, which are not yet determined.

 

PLATYCERUS Geoffr,

 

*quercus Sch. Lucanus qu. Weber. PL securidans Say. Found at Lake St. Charles. August.

 

ONTHOPHAGUS Latr.

 

*latebrosus Strum. Scarab, hecate Panzer. Uncommon.

 

TEUCHESTES Muls.

 

fossor Fabr. Scarabaeus foss. Linn. Common. *fimitarius Ill. Very common.

 

GEOTRUPES Latr.

 

egeriei Germ. Found in Agarics in woods. July. Rare. *excrementi Say. Rare.

 

HOPLIA Ill.

 

*trifasciata Say. primaria Burm, helvola Mels. Female tristis Mels. Uncommon.

 

DICHELONYCHA Kirby.

 

*elongata Fitch. Melolontha elong. Schonh. Common in August.

 

PHYLLOPHAGA Harris.

 

*quercina Kn. Harris Ins. Very common.

 

SERICA McLeay.

 

*vesportina Lec. Melolontha vesp. Schönh. Omaloplia vesp. Harris. C. atricapilla Kirby. Very abundant in the woods in June and July.

 

OSMODERMA Lep.

 

*scabra Dej. Trichius sc. Beauv. Male Gymnodus foveatus Kirby. Female Gymnod. rugosus Kirby.

 

TRICHIUS Fabr.

 

*piger Fabr. Drummond Gory, rotuudicollis Kirby. Gommon on flowers during midsummer.

 

DICERCA Esch.

 

*divaricata Lec. Buprestis div. Say. August. Rare.

 

ANCYLOCHIRA Esch.

 

maculiventris Lec. Buprestis mac. Say. Bup. sexnotata Lap. August. Rare.

 

MELANOPHILA Esch.

 

*longipes Gory. Buprestis long. Say. Ap. appendicular Lap. Mel. immaculata Gory.

This species is very common during the latter part of July. It elevates the elytra somewhat similarly to Chrysobothris, and it is also difficult to capture. Some years ago, when the cabinet factory of Messrs Jacques & Hay of Toronto was being consumed by fire, which happened just as this insect was appearing in its perfect state, the heat from the flames, in addition to the warmth of the day, irritated them to an extraordinary degree. Their bite became so troublesome to the spectators that many had to leave the immediate vicinity. The bite of this insect, under such circumstances, is like dropping hot sealing wax on the skin.

 

CHRYSOBOTHRIS Esch.

 

quadreimprcssa Lap. Taken on fences. August.

 

CRYPTOHYPNUS Esch.

 

abbreviatus Lec. El. silaceipes Germ.

 

ELATER Linn.

 

pedalis Cand. Ampedus ped. Germ. El. ursulus Mels, Common under bark of trees. miniipennis Lec. Common, rubricus Say. Ampedus cone, Germ, Rare.

AGRIOTES Esch.

 

mancus Lec. Elater mane. Say. El. (Agr.) obesus Harris. Agr. truncatus Mels. Agr. striatulus Mels. August. Common, fucosus Lec. var. collaris Lec. Very rare.

 

DOLOPIUS Esch.

 

 pauper Lec. Uncommon.

 

MELANOTUS Esch.

 

decumanus Er. Uncommon.sagittarius Lec.   

 

LIMONIUS Esch.

 

griseus Cand. Elater St. Herbst. El. armus Say. Gambrinus arm. Lec. Very common.

 

CORYMBITES Latr.

 

cylindriformis Germ. Elater cylind Herbst. El, appressifrons. Say. Female El. brevieornis Say. C. parallelopipedus Germ. Common,æripennis Lec. El. (Aphotistus) aer. Kirby. El. Appropinquans Rand. Under bark of dead trees, pulcher Lec. Very rare. tarsalis Lec. Athous tars. Mels. Uncommon, pyrrhos Lec. Elater pyrrh. Herbst. Female Athous pyrrhicus Hald. Ath. vagrans. Mels. Ath. æqualis Mels. Rare.

 

ASAPHES Kirby.

 

decoloratus Lec. Elater dec. Say. Rare.

 

DICTYOPTERA Latr.

 

perfaceta Say. substriata Lec. Rare.

 

EROS Newm.

 

*coccinatus Say. Very rare. Found in pine swamps,

TELEPHORUS Geoff.

 

carolinus Fabr Common, July.

HYDNOCERA Newm.

 

curtipennis Newm. bracliypterus Kl lineaticollis Spin. Gomin woods. Rare,

 

NKCROBIA Latr.

 

*violaceus Fabr. Found in dried bones, &c, during summer.

 

CURCULIO Fabr.

 

pinicola n. s. Dusky; completely punctured and covered with golden decumbent hairs, some of which are transverse on the thorax. Occurs on pines near Quebec.

 

Body underneath black; the posterior section composed of three rings, the anterior one as wide as the two following. Eyes black, oval, transverse, a tuft of hair over each ; in some specimens the space behind and beneath the eyes is without many hairs, and presents only a ferruginous glossy punctured appearance: rostrum of equal width throughout, punctured, ferruginous, the lateral groove oblique: antennœ composed of eight joints, (visible with the lens) the outer ones largely capitate; the first clavate, and almost as long as the other eight; the second joint is longer than the third, and the latter longer than the succeeding four which are equal; but the basal capitate joint is distinct: Thorax much narrower than anterior part of body, slightly swelled at the sides, having short longitudinal and lateral polished elevated spaces, and densely covered with golden hairs: scutellum black and slightly elevated: Elytra covers the abdomen, each with nine rows of long deep impressions, and covered with distinct patches of golden hairs: femora clubbed, indented underneath: tibiæ, armed with a strong tooth at base: tarsi cushioned, and provided with ungues. Length 5/8 inch. Rare, I have named this weevil in accordance with the only habitat in which it is found. Another species of the same size occurs in Western Canada but with marked differences of elytral characters.

 

CRYOCEPHALUS Muls.

 

*rusticus Linn, obsoletum Rand. Common. July, Pine-borer, agrestis Kirby. Common. Pine-borer.

 

CALLIDIUM Fabr.

 

*violaeeum Linn. Common. Destructive to pines.

 

CLYTUS Fabr.

 

hamatus Say. Rare. *undulatus Say. undatus Kirby. Sayi Lap. Common. Very destructive to fallen pines when the bark is allowed to remain on the tree, longipes Kirby. Rare.

 

CYRTOPHORUS Lec.

 

verrucosus Oliver. July. Rare.

MONOHAMMUS Latr.

 

confusor Kirby. maculosus Hald. Common.

 

ANAEREA Muls.

 

calcarata Say. Very rare,

 

COMPSIDEA Muls.

 

*tridentata Oliv. Rare.

 

SAPERDA Fabr.

 

Candida Fabr. bivittata Say. Very destructive to apple and pear trees in the neighborhood of Quebec.

 

DESMOCERUS Serv.

 

*cyaneus Fabr. palliatus Forst. Not common,

 

RHAGIUM Fabr.

 

*lineatum Oliv. In July. Under the bark of pine trees.  Com,

 

EVODINUS Lec.

 

*monticola Rand. Taken at Bay St. Catharines, mouth of River Saguenay.

 

ACMAEOPS Lec.

 

*proteus Kirby. Pachyta sublineata Hald. Common in lumber yards.

 

STRANGALIA Serv.

 

*zebrata Fabr, zebra Oliv. Very rare.

 

LEPTURA Linn.

 

*canadensis Oliv. Male tenuicornis Hald. Common, erythroptera Kirby. cinnamoptera Hald. Rare. *vittata Oliv. abbreviata Germ, seraivittata Kirby. Uncommon. *vagans Oliv. brevis Kirby. Common about lumber wharves. atrata Lec. Found at Laval. Rare. chrysocoma Kirby. Quebec. Common on flowers during midsummer. montivagans n.s. Black; head and thorax pubescent; antennae black, slightly ferruginous ; body beneath glossy. Taken at Bay St. Catharines, mouth of River Saguenay. July.

 

The specific characters appear in the elytral markings which are well developed in the Female and are as follows:—On a yellowish ground, black dentated marks occupy the shoulders, and a longitudinal oval spot on each side the suture behind the region of the scutellum,—the centre has a wide, black, irregular band, reaching (in the males) the suture, and the apex black, toothed anteriorly. The elytra are prolonged, exhibiting a large triangular space for the scutellum, which is not elevated.    Length of Male 3/8 and Female ½ inch.

 

I have failed to discover the tree in which it goes through its stages, however, its name is applicable to its occurrence so far on the mountain regions of the Saguenay. quebecensis n.s. Black; head and thorax densely and minutely punctured, the latter has a smooth, narrow, longitudinal line on its disc; labial palpi yellow: elytra densely and minutely punctured ; anterior femorae yellow beneath, black above,—2nd and 3rd yellow at the joint attached to the coxæ

 

Quebec. Rare. Length of Male ¼ inch.

 

The Female of the above have the same characters excepting that the whole of the tibiae and tarsi are yellow.

 

DONACIA Fabr.

 

juncina n. s. Head black, minutely punctured, with a short cavity between the eyes : thorax violet, punctured, with a longitudinal impressed centre, and the anterior aogles tuberculate : Elytra violet, densely punctured in rows, having four central depressions: body and legs sparsely covered with white hairs. Length over ¼ inch. Lake St. Charles, common.

 

GALECUCA Geoffr.

 

guttulata Lec. Common in July.

 

SYSTENA Chevr. frontalis Fabr. Common.

 

CALLIGEAPHA Chevr.

 

Philadelphia Linn. Common. *multipunctata Say. Common.

 

CHRYSOMELA Linn.

 

*elegans Rogers. Common.

 

EUMOLPUS Fabr.

 

*auratus Fabr. Gregarious on Dogbane.

 

GASTEOPHYSA Chevr.

 

*caeruleipennis Say. polygoni Linn. Common during midsummer.

 

HIPPODAMIA Muls.

 

Lecontii Muls. On thorn hedges. July Rare. *13-punotata Linn,  tibialis Say. Common, parenthesis Say. tridens Kirby. Common.

 

COCCINELLA Linn.

 

lacustris Lec. tricuspis Kirby. On thorn hedges. Rare. *novemnotata Herbst. Common, transversoguttata Falderm. 5-notata Kirby. Common. *bipunctata Linn, bioculata Say. Common.

 

MYSIA Muls

 

*15-punctata Oliv. mali Say. Uncommon.

 

CHILOCORUS Leach.

 

*bivulnerus Muls. Common.

 

HELODES Payk.

 

modesta Lec. var.  rare.

 

PENTHES Fabr.

 

obliquata Fabr. Not common. It is found  under the bark of dead trees.

 

TENEBEIO Linn.

 

*molitor Linn. Common.

 

UPIS. Fabr.

 

*ceramboides Linn, reticulatus Say. Common  under the bark of dead trees.

 

BOLITOPHAGUS Fabr

 

*cornutus Pz. Found in boleti growing on trees.

 

PHELLOPSIS Lec.

 

obcordatus Kirby. Common in fungi.

 

MELANDRYA Fabr.

 

striata Say. thoracica Mels. var. a. bicolor Mels. var, b

 

EMMESA Newm.

 

connectens Newm. Rare.

 

DIRCAEA Fabr.

 

4-maculatus Say. Very rare.

 

MELOE Linn.

 

angusticollis Say. Common on the potatoe vines.

 

EPICAUTA Redtenbacher.

 

*atrata Fabr, pensylvanica Geer. nigra Woodhouse. Very common.

 

Last summer, I collected Dipterous insects for the purpose of forwarding duplicates to Baron R. Osten Sacken of the Russian Legation in Washington, the only authority regarding this class of insects on the continent, who has kindly named many of them for me. The species that could not be determined were sent to Dr. H. Leow, Meseritz, Prussia, the highest living authority in Europe. The Baron states that " American Dipterology is not advanced enough as yet to make it possible " to determine all the species taken in this latitude. He says: "The Muscidæ, calypteræ especially are in very bad condition, and will probably remain so for a very long time." In his last letter he adds: "If you can collect diptera, or if you are in a position to encourage others to do so, you will render a service to science. We want materials, especially from your Northern regions."

 

The following is the first dipterologieal list published in this Province:

 

TIPULA Linn.

 

abdominalis Say. albilatus Walk. Common on the Gomin road during midsummer.

 

GERANOMYIA O Sacken.

 

rostrata Say. Taken in the sweep-net. Gomin Road.

 

RHYPHUS Latr.

 

penestralis Scop. Taken in woods Gomin road.

 

LEPTIS Fabr.

 

Boscii Macq. In the woods on St. Louis road, proxima Walker. Taken at Beauport.

 

TETANOCERA Dumer.

 

valida Lw. combinata Lw. plumosa Lw. In woods north of Quebec.

 

SARGUS Fabr.

 

viridis Say. Beauport. Common.

 

TABANUS Linn.

 

lasiopthalmus Macq. ? Very common in July.

BOMBYLIUS Linn.

 

fratellus Wied. Common in sandy places in woods.

 

LAPHRIA Fabr.

 

posticata Say. In Gomin woods.

 

ANTHRAX Linn.

 

fulvianus Say.On flowers in the woods;

 

MERODON Latr.

 

curvipes Wied. Polydonta bicolor Macq. Lower St. Lawrence

 

SYRPHUS Linn.

 

quadratus Say. Near the Montmorenci river.

 

ERISTALIS Latr.

 

dimidiatus Wied. Common on flowers in July. Bastardii Macq. On flowers.

 

LAUXANIA Latr.

 

lupulina Fabr. Taken abundantly in the sweep-net. cylindricornis Fabr. do. do.

 

TRYPETA Meig.

 

 sparsa Weid. Taken commonly in the sweep net.

 

SCATOPHAGA Latr.

 

stercoraria Linn. Common everywhere.

 

DOLICHOPUS Latr.

 

cuprinus Wied. Very common.

 

TACHINA Fabr.

 

vivida Harris, (vid. T. hirta Drury.) Rare.

 

CONOPS Linn:

 

sagittarius Say. ? On flowers. Rare.

 

CORDYLURA Fall.

 

bimaculata Lw. Not common. Found on flowers.

 

VOLUCELLA Geoffr.

 

basalis Say. (Harr. coll.) "It is very like the European Volucella plumata"—O. S. In August. Common.

 

SYRITTA St. Fargeau.

 

pipiens Linn, Common on flowers. July.

 

Although the list of diptera is small, I have still the hope of seeing a large addition made to it next summer, and I anxiously await the result of Dr. Leow's investigation of forms sent by me from this locality. The Canadian student of Diptera is strongly recommended to collect the following families, as it is probable that many of our species are new:—Tipulidæ; Tabanidæ ; Dexidæ; Sarcophidæ; Myopidæ ; Stratiomydæ ; Adontomyina; Trypetidæ; Asiliæ; Tachinina.

 

Many Dipterous insects form galls or excrescences on various trees —the food of the larvae being of vegetable character. It would therefore be conducive to natural science that such vegetable forms be collected for the purpose of discovering the insect architect. Two new galls were discovered in the vicinity of Quebec last summer —one a pretty leaf-gall of Spiræa salicifolia, the product of a cecidomyia, discovered by myself. The other an Aphis gall on White Spruce, discovered by the Rev. Mr. Brunett of Laval University. The writer would thankfully receive contributions of this nature.