ENTOMOLOGY

INSECT POISONING AND MISCELLANEOUS NOTES· 467poison glands, one of which lies beneath each papilla or tubercle. Thepoison is liberated in the blood through the sharp basal point of thehairs when they come in contact with the human skin. One case of deathhas been reported. The structure of the poison glands and hairs isdiscussed by l\:[iss Kephart.~!lingham has described poison hairs on the larva of Porthesia simili8FueSlf':'~, the swan moth.'l'he processionary caterpillar Cnethocampa pit yo campa Borowaki,according to Beille, is provided with poison-secreting, setigeroustubercles which are divided into four areas by two bands \vhich crossthe tubercles at right angles to each other and which are free fromhairs. The four sectors thus made are covered with chitinous papillawhich bear poison hairs and which are connected with the subjacent partsby pore canals in the cuticle. The glandular part exists only underthe sectors covered with hairs. These glands are unicellular and in theform of very elongate pears. These poisonous hairs, when they comein contact with tIle flesh, cause an urtication.In a similar manner the larva of the nun moth, Lymantria monacha(Linnaeus); the gipsy moth, Porthetria dispar (Linnaeus), the 10 mothAutomeri8 io (Fabricius), Hemileuca maia Drury, Lasiocampa pini (Linnaeus),JJfacrothylacia rubi (Linnaeus), Sibi'1le stimulea Clemens, are providedwith poisonous hairs. Lagoa cri8pata Packard and JJfegalopygeopercularis (Smith and Abbott) are known as flannel moths, and arecovered with long, silky hairs and do not look like caterpillars. Interspersedamong the long hairs are numerous short spines connected withthe underlying poison glands. These hairs are capable of producing amarked nettling effect when they come in contact with the skin.Riley and Johannsen present a very interesting discussion of nettlinginsects and suggest for treatment the application of weak solutionsof ammonia or a paste of ordinary baking soda. In the browntail district,one remedy which is commonly used was recommended by Kirkland:Carbolic acid ........ ,................... 112 gramZinc oxide .........................•..... % oz.Lime water ........... ~ .............•.... 8 oz.llEE, WASP, AND ANT STINGSMany species of bees, wasps, and ants are capable of inflicting painfulstings. These insects sting by means of the ovipositor. Only the femaleis capable of inflicting injury. All persons who have handled bees arefamiliar with the sting of the honey bee, Apia mellifera Linnaeus, andmost boys are familiar with bumble bee (Bombua spp.) stings.