In the springs of 1907 and 1*^08, DIack Flies, small two-winged 

 insects belonging to the family Siiinilidac, frequently called Bufifalo 

 Gnats or Turkey Gnats, were much complained of. Milch cows fell 

 off in milk; stock of all kinds in pastures located in affected regions 

 and at work in the field, were driven wild ; in certain instances young 

 poultry was killed, and farmers and others lost in consequence. By 

 means of press articles, and by mailing to parties concerned, from this 

 ofifice, a pamphlet on "Insects and Insect-like Animals Affecting 

 Stock," it is to be hoped that some measure of relief was afforded. 



Our 1907 mail brought in many inquiries regarding plant lice, for 

 the most part on grain, said inquiries being largely occasioned by the 

 alarming rumors of the presence of the "Green Bug." In almost every 

 instance, when specimens of these grain lice were sent to this office, 

 they Droved to be a native form, Macrosiphum granaria, present with 

 us in varying numbers each year, and causing little or no damage. 



The Hessian Fly worked upon grain in 1907 and 1908, showing, 

 as was to be expected, some increase in the depredations in the latter 

 year. 



Native grasshoppers, noticeably the common Red-legged Locust 

 or Grasshopper, the Two-striped Locust, and the Lesser Migratory 

 were abundantly present in some portions of the state in 1907, causing 

 some injury to grain and clover. Last year complaints reached us 

 from Kanabec, Otter Tail, Isanti, Wright and Itasca counties. This 

 year, 1908, they have been still more numerous. Accounts of their 

 depredations have increased. They have, the present season, worked 

 in Otter Tail, Norman, Chisago, Sherburne, Wadena, Anoka, Meeker 

 and Stearns counties, affecting principally clover and alfalfa and pas- 

 ture lands. The outlook for next year, unless farmers take certain 

 measures, is not particularly reassuring, since our native forms, when 

 very abundant, can be exceedingly destructive. Press Bulletin 2>2, con- 

 taining an account of preventive treatment, was issued in September. 

 A copy of this will be mailed to any farmer upon request. In this 

 connection it is interesting to note that grasshoppers bv consuming 

 pastures may materially affect the price of milk. 



Wire worms, controlled largely by proper farm practice, have been 

 destructive in certain localities, one farmer known to us, feeling 

 obliged to disk his corn and sow flax, since the former plants had been 

 destroyed by these pests. Just across the line in North Dakota wire 

 worms were reported as having destroyed, in one locality, one hundred 

 acres of grain. 



