In a recent paper by Dr. J. G. Meyers (1929) entitled “Faculative Blood-Sucking in Phytophagous Hemiptera” an excellent summary of our knowledge of this interesting phenomenon is given. The above cited paper, and others listed in the bibliography at the conclusion of the present paper, recalled to mind certain experiences and observations made in collecting these insects during the past few years.

The following notes are based on observations of young larvae from the time of hatching until they became established within the apples or were lost or dried.

Male. Length 8 mm. Black ; the antennae, anterior margin and posterior angles of pronotum, and elytra very dark reddish-brown, almost black; legs reddish-brown.

In August 1929 the writer examined a colony of white rats which were being used in a nutrition experiment. These rats were scratching themselves about the head, nose and neck. Many had small dry scabs on the head, about the ears, and upper sides of the neck. Some had bloody scabs due to bleeding caused by severe scratching. Parasitic infestation was suspected and microscopic examination showed the presence of mites.

The genus Neobellamira was erected by Swaine and Hopping for Strangalia delicata Lec., since it was apparently not congeneric with Leconte's genus Strangalia, now Strangalina Auriv. Neobellamira differs not only on the male characters but on the poriferous areas of the distal segments of the antennae which become hardly more than mere punctures or are entirely absent. In Strangalina these areas are strongly developed.

During the past decade a considerable amount of work has been done on collecting and studying the crane-flies, Tipulidae, of New England. Johnson's basic list of the Diptera of this area (List of the Diptera or Two-Winged Flies. Occas. Papers Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., VII; 1925) recorded 264 nominal species, of which seven have been removed as being synonyms or as being based on mis-determinations. In the intervening years, 73 additions have been made to this list, bringing the corrected total to date to 330 species.

To students of the involved generic nomenclature of the Palaearctic and Nearctic Diurnal Lepidoptera, the recent publication of the “Generic Names of British Rhopalocera” will prove of great interest. This pamphlet has been prepared by Mr. Francis Hemming at the request of the Committee on Generic Nomenclature of the Royal Entomological Society of London, and includes full details regarding type fixation and synonymy.