8 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
was associated, as was the case last year, with the antlered maple 
caterpillar. The depredations by the snow-white linden moth, 
noticed in our preceding report, were continued in the Catskills and 
extensive injuries in the Adirondacks were also brought to our 
attention. The only hope of preventing damage of this character 
is by the encouragement of natural agents, prominent among 
which may be mentioned native birds. The efficiency of in- 
sectivorous birds has been repeatedly emphasized by the Entomo!o- 
gist. 
The bark borers or Scolytidae comprise a large number of very 
destructive species. The literature relating to this group is greatly 
scattered and comparatively inaccessible, hence a bibliographic 
catalogue is a necessary preliminary to further work upon these 
insects. We submit for publication, as an appendix of this report, 
a catalogue of the described Scolytidae of America north of 
Mexico by Mr J. M. Swaine. 
Gall midges. The studies upon this important group have pro- 
gressed very successfully. We have already prepared preliminary 
keys for the separation of most forms into subfamilies, tribes, 
genera and species, together with tables giving the food habits of 
those which have been reared. Some idea of the magnitude of 
this work may be gained when it is remembered that we have 
studied over 300 bred species and now recognize 700 species, 
representing about 50 genera. The systematic arrangement alone 
of this large number of microscopic insects is an immense task. 
And in addition to the above, many descriptions have been drafted 
and numerous biological notes transcribed. 
The later work upon these insects has of necessity been con- 
fined mostly to systematic study, owing to the fact that material 
was coming in faster than it could be worked up in a satisfactory 
manner. We have succeeded, in spite of the pressure of other 
matters, in rearing during the past season about 75 species, the 
biology of most of which was previously unknown. There is on 
hand a large series of galls from which some extremely desirable 
material may be expected another season. The work upon this 
group is so well in hand that there should be no difficulty in bring- 
ing it to a successful conclusion in the near future. 
The rearing and care of breeding jars containing gall midges 
require much time. Assistant Entomologist D. B. Young had 
general charge of this work and was ably assisted by Miss Fanny 
