%\)t Caiiaiian Entomology, 



VOL. IX. LONDON, ONT., MAY, 1877. No. 5 



THE UNITED STATES ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION. 



The enormous losses occurring yearly to agriculture in America from 

 destructive insects are gradually awakening public attention in this direc- 

 tion, and also to the necessity of careful observations on the habits of 

 these pests, with a view to iheir destruction or limitation. We were much 

 gratified to learn that the late Congress of the United States, recognizing 

 the importance of this subject, made a liberal appropriation to provide 

 for the appointment of a commission of practical Entomologists to 

 investigate and study the habits and life history of these insect pests, and 

 thoroughly test such measures as have been or may be suggested with the 

 view of lessening their ravages, the investigations to be carried on for 

 several consecutive years. The Government has been particularly 

 fortunate in securing the services of three eminently practical Entomolo- 

 gists to undertake this work. Prof. Riley, State Entomologist of Missouri, 

 Dr. A. S. Packard, of Sc^lem, Mass., and Prof.' C. Thomas. State Ento- 

 mologist of Illinois ; Prof Riley has been designated chief, Dr Packard 

 secretary, and Prof Thomas disbursing agent. While the destructive 

 Rocky Mountain Locust, Caloptasus spretus, will specially engage the 

 attention of the Commission during this year, careful observations will at 

 the same time be made on other destructive pests. We desire to call 

 particular attention to Dr. Packard's request in this present issue for speci- 

 mens in all stages of the Hessian Fly, Joint Worm and Wheat Midge, and 

 trust that all our members will endeavor to aid the Commission in their 

 labors in every possible way. 



The headquarters of the Commission will be at St. Louis, Mo. \ there 

 will also be an office, with a clerk to attend to certain routine business, at 

 the rooms of the Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories, 

 at Washington, D. C, Dr. F. V. Hayden in charge. 



