Ninth Report of the State Entomologist 425 



to be inadequate, and new measures were experimented with, and 

 employed when their value became established. 



Thus it was found that arsenical spraying, on which much depend- 

 ence had been placed, failed to kill the larger and more vigorous larvae. 

 Insecticides that kill by contact were therefore resorted to. The eggs 

 were killed by an oil not previously used to any extent for insect 

 destruction; and four tons of " insect lime," known as " raupenleim " 

 in Germany, Avas imported from Europe and applied in bands on the 

 bark around the ti'ee: its viscidity — lasting for two months — served 

 an admirable purpose in catching and holding all insects and effectually 

 pi'eventiug their ascent of the tree. 



The banding with burlaps was not only successful in entrapping 

 large numbers of the Ocneria caterpillars, but also hosts of other injuri- 

 ous species, which could then be conveniently destroyed. 



Gratifying success is reported from spraying infested brush and 

 shrubbery on waste lands Avith kerosene from a cyclone nozzle and then 

 igniting it. The same method, it was thought, might be effective 

 against the marches and invasions of the army-worm. 



It is claimed by the committee that they have succeeded the past year 

 in staying the spread of the insect, and in greatly reducing its num- 

 bers. Fifty towns were thoroughly searched, and the moth found in 

 thirty. In some of the towns it has been locally exterminated, and in 

 three entirely destroyed. Not one egg-cluster can now be found as 

 against a hundred in 1891. If sufficient means are provided for the 

 work, extermination of the insect within a few years is regarded as 

 next to certain. With an annual appropriation of |50,000, it is con- 

 fidently believed by the committee that further spread can be prevented 

 and the insect steadily reduced in numbers. 



From my present knowledge of the work f'f the conmiittee, I must 

 commend it heartily, and would further express the desire that such 

 appropriations shall continue to be made by the State as will enable 

 the committee so to reduce the number of the insect that it may soon 

 be. handed over to its parasites, predaceous insects, and birds for 

 complete extermination. 



If I have seemed to you to have dwelt too long upon a single insect 

 pest, please bear in mind the deep interest which we in New York must 

 feel in the efforts being made for the extermination of this omnivorous 

 insect before it shall have entered within our borders. In this interest, 

 each one of the other States should also share. And then again, if 

 success shall, as we hope, attend this effort, it can not fail of furnishing 

 a precedent for calling for State aid and possibly upon the National 

 1893. 54 



