REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. 



To the Director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment 

 Station : 



Sir :— 



As the Entomological work of the Station has been performed 

 during the past year almost entirely by the Assistant Entomologist, I 

 have requested him to prepare a report on it, which I herewith transmit. 



Very respectfully yours, 



J. H. COMSTOCK. 



To the Entomologist of the Cornell University Agricultural Experi- 

 ment Station : 



Sir :— 



The work of the Entomological Division of the Station during the 

 past year has been along the same lines as in previous years. 



That is, our energies have been devoted to a careful and exhaustive 

 study of a few insect pests, rather than to fragmentary observations 

 upon many insects, from which one can rarely draw conclusions of 

 much practical value to the agriculturist. 



The correspondence of this Division is steadily increasing each 

 year. It enables us to reach urgent cases quickly, and is thus one of 

 the most valuable features of our work. Furthermore, it enables us 

 to keep in touch, from year to year, with a corps of observers through- 

 out the state who often render valuable aid during an insect outbreak 

 in their locality. 



Last year, the pear psylla, the apple tree tent-caterpillar, and 

 the canker-worms ravaged orchards in all sections of the state. 

 This year all of these insects appeared in increased numbers in 

 many localities. Some pear growers are becoming discouraged 

 from their apparently futile efforts to control the psylla and other 

 insect foes. Thousands of valuable apple trees have been entirely 

 stripped of their foliage by the apple tree tent-caterpillar, aided 

 in many cases by its near relative, the forest tent-caterpillar. 



