Eighth Report of the State Entomologist. 261 



in exceptional years of some unusual insect abundance, the com- 

 putations that have been made from time to time would seem to be 

 almost beyond belief. 



The magnitude of these losses has driven our people to seek pro- 

 tection from them in the study of insect pests and their habits. 

 Hence it is that within the last fifty years a new science — that of 

 Economic Entomology — has had its birth among us, a rapid 

 growth, and a present development quite in advance of any of the 

 older nations of the world. It may be defined as "the study of 

 insects in their relations with man — of their character, habits, 

 transformations, food-plants, enemies, diseases, etc., with a view of 

 affording protection from the injuries of a large portion of their 

 number, and of utilizing the benefits derived from a minor portion." 



Our Eastern States gave early recognition of the value and 

 importance to the Commonwealth of this department of natural 

 science. The first publication issued under State authority was 

 the "Kejwrt on Insects Injurious to Vegetation," by Dr. T. W. 

 Harris, in 1841. The commencement of a series of "Reports on 

 the Noxious, Beneficial and other Insects of the State of New 

 York," in the year 1855, by Dr. Asa Fitch, under the auspices of 

 the New York State Agricultural Society, gave a new interest and 

 impetus to the study, and was doubtless instrumental in initiating 

 similar investigations and publications by Mr. B. D. Walsh, in 

 1867, in Illinois, and by Profesisoir Riley, in 1868, in Missouri, — in 

 the first-named State, continued by Drs. LeBaron and Thomas, and 

 through Professor Forbes up to the present time. 



In 1878, at the termination of Mr, Glover's labors as Entomolo- 

 gist to the United States Department of Agriculture (commenced 

 in 1863), an entomological division was established by the Depaii>- 

 ment and organized with Profestsoi' Riley as Chief. The work of 

 the division, generously sustained by Congress, has continued to be 

 prosecuted with signal ability and success. Its publications, 

 through annual reports, bulletins, and more lately, a monthly 

 periodical, have been of a high order and of eminent service to the 

 agricultural interests of the Thiited States. 



In 1877, a special Entomological Commigsion, to consist of three 

 skilled eeonomic entomologists, was authorized by Congress, for 

 the purj^ose of investigating and reporting upon the depredations 



