REPORT OF TIIF. STATE F.XTOMOLOGIST I908 9 



T. llartiiian. In addition. Air Young rendered material service 

 in. separatiny^ our large amount of material into the major groups, 

 while Miss Hartman has made over 600 microscopic preparations. 



Flies and mosquitos. The ubiquitous and well known house 

 fly has been the recipient of much attention because recent investi- 

 gations show it may be the responsible agent, under certain condi- 

 tions, in the dissemination of typhoid fever and other grave in- 

 testinal disorders. Observations upon its life history and habits 

 have established the practicability of largely reducing if not elimi- 

 nating this menace to health and personal comfort. A press bul- 

 letin on this insect was issued and this will be supplemented by a 

 more extended account. 



There is much interest in ihc control of mos(iuitos. The 

 Entomologist inspected the work in progress on the Flushing 

 meadows and has kept in touch with similar opiraticns in other 

 localities. Attention has also been given to the control of fresh- 

 water species, especially the malaria-carrying form. The prac- 

 ticability of such work has been established and we look for a 

 great extension of interest in the local suppression of these annoy- 

 ing pests. 



Aquatic insects. The studies of insects inhabiting our fresh 

 waters have been continued by Dr James G. Needham. His report 

 on the work done at Old Forge was made public in the report of 

 this ofifice for 1907. Dr Needham is now engaged in completing 

 his monographic accovmt of the stone flies (Plecoptera), a work 

 v.hich should be ready for the printer some time during the com- 

 ing winter. Dr Ketten has made good progress in his studies of 

 the caddis flies (Trichoptera), and it is expected that his work 

 upon this group will be completed the coming spring. These two 

 publications, when issued, will supply a most important want in our 

 knowledge of aquatic forms and add much of value to the series 

 of reports and bulletins on aquatic insects. 



Publications. Many popular economic notices have been con- 

 tributed by the Entomologist to the agricultural and local press, and 

 a few accounts of more general interest have been widely dissemi- 

 nated through the agency of the Associated Press. The large num- 

 ber of Cecidomyiidae reared in 1907 rendered it advisable to pub- 

 lish preliminary descriptions of these, and a reprint from the repnrt 

 for that year, entitled Xci^' Spcxics of Cecidomyiidae II, was 

 issued October 26, icpj. Owing to numerous delays in printing, 

 the report for last year did not appear during the fiscal year, al- 



