REPORT ON WORK OF THE SEASON. 
By HERBERT OSBORN. 
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 
AmEs, IowA, October, 1899. 
Sir: I transmit herewith a report upon the work of the season, including mention 
of certain insects that haye been observed during the season and notes regarding 
certain others, observations on which are in progress, with the expectation of giving 
more detailed accounts of their life histories and habits. 
There is much yet to be done on the insects affecting grass before anything like a 
full report can be made upon them, but I shall hope to bring the work of the present 
season into shape for submission at the end of the year. 
The work on the parasites of domestic animals has been continued and a part is 
already submitted for printing, while a considerable amount of other matter is in 
form to be presented at an early date. 
Very respectfully, 
HERBERT Osborn. 
rot Cony peekulianive 
U. S. Entomologist. 
During the past summer there has been no great depredation by any 
single insect pest in the State, but a number of the common species of 
insects have been working with their accustomed energy, and the losses 
from this source in the State have probably been up to the average of 
ordinary seasons. 
The observations on insects affecting grass crops have been continued, 
and I am only the more strongly impressed with the importance of the 
insects affecting these crops in this State, and believe that the estimates 
given in my last year’s report as to the probable loss from this source 
to have been by no means overstated. 
Judging by the reports of the correspondents of the Iowa Weather 
and Crop Service, who represent every section of the State, the insects 
that have caused most extensive injury are those infesting meadows 
and pastures and sod land planted to corn. Not only are there numer- 
ous reports of injury by insects to timothy, to pastures, and to corn 
planted on land previously in grass, but numerous mention of poor 
condition in meadows and pastures, shortage in grass and hay crop, 
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