REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1908 59 
details regarding its life history are still wanting. These insects 
were rather abundant on hard pine at Nassau, N. Y. April 109, 
1906, showing that the beetles appear very early in the spring. 
Some were feeding, a few pairing, and it is probable that breeding 
begins early in the season and is continuous to a greater or less 
extent until late in the fall, though there may be somewhat larger 
numbers appearing in early spring and possibly another brood in 
midsummer. 
Hickory tussock moth (Halisidota caryae Harr.), 
The caterpillar of this moth is a very general feeder and specimens 
were received from the latter part of July to early in September, 
from localities in various parts of the State where the pest was 
devouring the foliage of a considerable variety of trees and shrubs. 
The depredations were in no instance exceptionally severe, and 
ordinarily repressive measures are not necessary. This leaf feeder 
is best controlled, when advisable, by timely applications of arseni- 
cal poisons. 
Black walnut worm (Datana integerrima Gr. & Rob.). 
Specimens of this caterpillar were received during the last of July 
and throughout August, from different sections of the State. It is 
a more or less common species upon black walnut and butternut, 
occasionally becoming so abundant as to defoliate entire trees or 
groups of trees. It is possible to destroy many of the insects by 
cutting off infested branches while the caterpillars are still young 
and crushing them, or if the trees be of sufficient value, it is amen- 
_able to arsenical sprays. Unfortunately these applications are not, 
as a rule, practical in the case of large trees. 
Witch-hazel cone gall (Hormaphis hamamelidis 
Fitch). The peculiar gall of this plant louse is ordinarily somewhat 
rare in the vicinity of Albany. The latter part of July and August 
it was seen that many of the witch-hazel clumps were badly infested 
with the galls of this species. They were so abundant on some 
shoots as-to seriously injure and almost destroy the foliage. It was 
not at all difficult to find five to seven galls upon a single leaf and 
in some instances 20 to 25 could be counted. 
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Miscellaneous 
Nicole scall midge -(Contarinia violicolia ‘Coq.). 
This insect is undoubtedly a very serious pest of the extensive violet- 
growing industry in and about Rhinebeck. There must be close to 
$500,000 invested in this business and the gross annual income 
