xviii Report of the Entomologist. 



This latter insect has also increased its ravages in the forests of many 

 portions of the state during the past year; in many apple orchards it 

 was equally as numerous as the former species. 



It is doubtful if there was ever a time in the history of the state 

 when the canker-worms were so numerous and destructive as during 

 the past spring. After traveling through western New York, we are 

 convinced that at least 3,000 acres of valuable apple orchards in 

 Niagara, Orleans, Monroe and Wayne counties have been completely 

 stripped of their fohage or "burned" by canker-worms during the 

 spring of 1898. This is an alarming state of affairs, and yet but little 

 is being done in many cases to check their multiplication or ravages. 

 During the past year we have made a careful study of these canker- 

 worms and the methods employed to fight them. We find that there 

 are three other canker-worm-like caterpillars, or measuring worms, at 

 work with the well-known fall and spring canker-worms in western 

 New York apple orchards. We have a fine series of photographs 

 illustrating the different stages in the lives of all five of these measur- 

 ing worms ; the series also include pictures of the work of the insects, 

 of the traps used to prevent their ravages, and some flashlight photos 

 of the moths ascending the trees for oviposition at night. During the 

 coming year, we expect to get all of this material into bulletin form. 



For several years the grape-vine flea-beetle or " steely beetle " has 

 done much damage to the opening buds of grapes in many localities. 

 This year the insect seems to be more numerous than ever, resulting 

 in the destruction of the entire crop in some cases. This fact led us 

 to undertake a careful study of the pest, with the result that some new 

 facts have been discovered. We hope to discuss this insect in a 

 bulletin during the coming year. 



As a few new washes for peach borers have been very strongly 

 recommended recently, we have decided to continue our extensive 

 experiment another year to thoroughly test these washes. The results 

 from these four-year tests of the many methods recommended for pre- 

 venting the ravages of this destructive peach pest will be of incalcula- 

 ble value to peach growers. 



During the year the following bulletins have been issued from this 

 Division: 



No. 142, The Codling Moth. 



No. 148, The Quince Curculio. 



