REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I9II II 



Nursery inspection. The nursery inspection work conducted 

 by the State Department of Agriculture has resulted in the office 

 being requested to make numerous identifications and also recom- 

 mendations in regard to the policy which should be pursued by the 

 State. Most of the material submitted for name is in poor condi- 

 tion, may represent any stage in insect develop rent, and is often 

 fro n a foreign country. This work, though time-consuming and 

 laborious, is very important, since the disposition of large ship- 

 ments of nursery stock must depend in great measure upon 

 our findings. The possibility of introducing the gipsy and 

 brown-tail moths with stock originating in territory in- 

 fested by these pests, justifies a most careful examination of all 

 such material and the adoption of every reasonable precaution. 



Miscellaneous. A series of experiments, conducted to test 

 the value of heat as an insecticide, showed that the relatively 

 moderate temperature of 120 F. is soon fatal to the common 

 black cockroach so frequently seen in warmer parts of dwellings. 

 Buildings equipped with ample heating facilities are adapted to 

 this method of checking household and storeroom pests. A 

 series of observations were made upon the hibernation and de- 

 velopment of the rose leaf hopper. An interesting outbreak by 

 an Iris borer was also investigated. These two insects are dis- 

 cussed more fully on subsequent pages. Assistant State Ento- 

 mologist Young had charge of the heat experiments, being 

 assisted in this by Miss Hartman. 



The Entomologist, as in previous years, has been called upon 

 to lecture upon injurious insects at farmers institutes, horticul- 

 tural and other gatherings. Information respecting shade tree 

 pests, owing to their serious injuries this year, was most fre- 

 quently desired. 



Office matters. The general work of the office has progressed 

 in a satisfactory manner. The Assistant State Entomologist 

 was in charge of the office and responsible for the correspond- 

 ence and other matters during the absence of the Entomologist. 

 Miss Hartman, in addition to matters noted above, made a 

 large colored chart of the elm leaf beetle, rendered material 

 assistance in various aspects of the experimental work, cared 

 for breeding jars, compiled bibliographies and translated a num- 

 ber of excerpts from scientific articles. Numerous specimens 

 have been received for identification during the year and many 

 inquiries made concerning injurious forms. The correspondence 



