INTRODUCTION. 



The second annual report of the entomologist of the 

 State Experiment Station of the University of Minnesota 

 respectfully submitted to his Excellency, Governor D. M. 

 Clough, contains an account of some of the work performed 

 during the year 1896. Other work only commenced or part- 

 ly finished -will be submitted later. 



There remains for the entomologist the pleasant duty of 

 expressing his sincere thanks to all persons that have aided 

 him in his ^work but especially so his assistant, Mr. Rufus H. 

 Pettit, v^ho has assisted faithfully in both the laboratory 

 work and the preparation of this report. Most of the illustra- 

 tions in it w^ere made by him. Especial thanks are also due » 

 to the different newspapers, who with unfailing courtesy 

 published all articles written for the instruction of the farm- 

 ers in regions infested by injurious insects. The Chicago, St. 

 Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, the Great Western, the St. 

 Paul and Duluth, and the Northern Pacific R. R. Companies 

 also deserve thanks for their liberality in furnishing free 

 transportation over their roads whenever such was asked. 



