REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I905 ^"J 



The essential is to avoid presentins^ conditions attractive to these 

 insects and lacking that, to detect the presence of the enemy early 

 and then adopt vigorous measures to prevent further injury. 



Bibliography 



A detailed account of this species is given by the late Dr J. A. 

 Lintner in the 12th Report of the State Entomologist for 1896, 

 pages 190-214. 



Grass webworms 



Crambus species 



The latter part of May 1905 was noteworthy because of the 

 appearance of many purplish, brown headed caterpillars about ^ 

 inch long in grass fields. These webworms were so abundant in 

 portions of Rensselaer, Columbia and Albany counties as to eat 

 practically all the grass within limited areas, producing conspicuous 

 brown patches, which gave rise to considerable apprehension lest 

 the depredations become more extensive and result in great losses. 

 An examination the latter part of May and early in June led us to 

 estimate that in portions of the town of Schodack fully 100 acres 

 had been denuded of almost every green leaf. 



Early history. The most severe, widespread injuries by these 

 insects in New York State were recorded by Dr Lintner in his first 

 report for the year 1881. The depredations were confined largely 

 to St Lawrence county. Dr Lintner states that in the town of 

 Potsdam hundreds of acres of pasturage had been destroyed and 

 not one farm, it was believed, had escaped. Some idea of the out- 

 break may be gained from Dr Lintner's observations which follow : 

 "An upland pasture containing 50 acres, which, 10 days previous 

 to my visit, had afforded good pasturage, was now entirely brown. 

 No grass could be seen in glancing over its whole extent, except 

 over a very narrow strip which had been used as a roadway when 

 farming purposes necessitated occasionally passing from one field 

 to another." On returning, Dr Lintner readily detected the rav- 

 ages of the caterpillar " at various other places in St Lawrence, 

 Jefferson and Oswego counties, by the brown patches, usually of 

 small extent, on knolls and in the more elevated portions of the 

 pastures bordering the road. Near Richville, several large in- 

 fested patches were seen. None were noticed at Keen's Station. 

 At about a mile south of Sanford's Corners, in Jefferson county, 

 and continuing for some distance farther, traces of the attack were 

 visible in small brown spots in pastures. Within about 2 miles of 



