Section IV., 1899. [ 207 ] Trans. R. S. C. 



IX. — liecent Additions to the List of InjurifAis Insects of Canada. 

 By James Fletchek, LL.D., F.L.S. 



(Read May 25, 1899.) 



Hardly a year passes but some new name is ftclclecl to the list of 

 those insects which attack to a noticeable extent our various cultivated 

 crops. 



In 1869, the' late Dr. C. V. Eiley began to publish his remarkable 

 series of Eeports on the ISToxious Insects of Missouri, and for many years, 

 as indeed to a large extent it is to-day, this was the most reliable and 

 important source of reference for all who required information upon 

 injurious insects 'and the best way to control their ravages. 



In 1883, Dr. William Saunders published his most useful book on 

 Insects Injurious to Fruits — &. work which has been of enormous value' 

 to the fniit growers of Canada and the United States in preventing loss 

 in their fruit crops. 



In 1870, one year later than Eiley began to publish his Missouri 

 reports, through the energy of Dr. Wm. Saunders, the Eev. C. J. S. 

 Bethune and Mr. E. Baynes-Eeed, the first Report of the Entomological 

 Society of Ontario ajopearcd. This series then begun has been issued 

 regularly ever since and is a compendium of most useful information 

 concerning the injurious insects of Canada, but particularly of the Pro- 

 vince of Ontario. The Canadian Entomologist, a monthly magazine, 

 also published by the Eutomological Society of Ontario, contains many 

 articles of interest to the practical agriculturist and horticulturist ; 

 but this publication is more scientific in character than the Eeports of 

 the society. 



From various causes it would appear that injurious insects are 

 more numerous now than was formerly the case, not only in the number 

 of kinds which occasionally attack crops to a serious extent, but actually 

 in the number of the individuals which appear. The increase in the num- 

 bers of different species is affected to a large measure by the destruc- 

 tion of the native food supply incident upon the clearing up of the 

 forest lands and in the draining of bogs, swamps and marshes. In 

 addition to those indigenous insects which develop into crop pests, ow- 

 ing to their natural food-supply being reduced in quantity, there are 

 introduced from time to time, foreign insects from other countries. 

 These, too, in the past have proved to be by far the worst enemies of the 

 farmer and gardener. 



