EXPERIMENT STATION REPORTS. 87 



REPORT OF CONSULTING ENTOMOLOGIST. 



Prof. C. TJ. Smith, Director: 



Leak Sir — F"olloAviiig is a brief account of the work done by the Ento- 

 mohtgical Depart ment of the Experiment Station during the year end- 

 ing June 30, 1900: 



On September 1, 1809, the writer was made consulting entomologist 

 of the Experiment Station on the resignation of Prof. Barrows from that 

 position. Previous to that time the writer had held the position of 

 assistant entomologist. 



The season of 1899 was quite a departure from the average as regards 

 climate, iuid this has produced a corresponding change in the insect life. 

 The hot, dry weather in midsummer favored certain insects, notably flea- 

 beetles, at the same time restraining others. The exceptionally late fall 

 favored the Hessian fly, and at the present time this pest is present in 

 numbers in certain parts of the State. 



] )uring the year two bulletins have been published by this office, num- 

 bers 175 and 180. The work of the year has been quite diversified; the 

 correspondence being, at times, quite an item. A number of trips have 

 been made to investigate insect problems and to try remedies in the 

 field, one to South Haven and vicinity to investigate various fruit in- 

 sects; one to Benton Harbor to investigate insects working on peach 

 buds; one to Three Rivers to investigate insects working on sugar beet; 

 besides several shorter trips made for like purposes. 



The work against sugar beet insects has been carried on as diligently 

 as possible, believing that this important crop, new to the State, 

 should be well guarded, and methods of protecting it understood. A 

 number of insects affecting this crop have given trouble during the 

 season, notably two flea-beetles and the garden web-worm, as well as 

 several blister-beetles. 



The strawberry root borer appeared in numbers in the southern part 

 of the State, also the raspberry saw-fly. 



A new scale insect of prime importance from an economic standpoint 

 has been discovered in the United States during the year and Michigan 

 has been found to possess her share of them. A study of this pest has 

 been made and information, which could be used by him, turned over to 

 the State Inspector of Orchards and Nurseries, both in regard to the 

 habits and work of the scale as well as the infested localities discovered. 



The canker worm has made its presence very evident both during the 

 season of 1S99 and 1900 in many parts of the State, and a nearly related 

 species, the lime tree inch worm (llibernia tiliaria) has appeared in sev- 

 eral places and is rivaling the ordinary canker worm in its depredations. 

 It may be controlled by the same methods as are found efl'ective against 

 the canker worm. 



\Mienever possible, specimens and information regarding scale in- 

 sects have been collected, with a view to writing an extended bulletin on 

 the subject in the future. 



At the present time the writer is working on several pests, one of 

 which is boring in the box elder and several other trees; another is a 



