FIRST ANNUAL REPORT 



lUJDEIOIJS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



IMPORTANCE TO AGRICULTURISTS OF A KNOWLEDGE OF INSECTS. 



In presenting my first annual report on the insects of our 

 State injurious to vegetation, or in any way affecting human 

 interests, it may not be out of place to state some facts, showing 

 the importance to farmers of a knowledge of the habits and 

 appearance of the insects with which they have to contend in 

 their farming and gardening operations. 



In the first place, however, we must not forget the good done 

 by insects. They undoubtedly tend by their attacks to prevent 

 an undue growth of vegetation. The pruning done to a tree 

 or herb by certain insects undoubtedly causes a more healthy 

 growth of the branches and leaves, and ultimately a greater pro- 

 duction of fruit. Again, as pollen-bearers, insects are a most 

 powerful agency in nature. It is undoubtedly the fact that the 

 presence of bees in orchards increases the fruit crop, and the 

 thousands of moths, wild bees and other insects, that seem to 

 live without purpose, are really, though few realize it, among 

 the best friends and allies of man. 



Moreover, insects are of great use as scavengers, such as the 

 young or maggots of the house fly, the mosquitoes, and numer- 

 ous other forms, that seem created only to vex us when in tlie 

 winged state. Still a larger proportion of insects are directly 

 beneficial from their habit of attacking injurious species, such 

 as the ichneumons, or parasitic^hymenoptera, and certain para- 



