370 



In some of tliese counties the damages were slight ; in others entire 

 fields were denuded of leaves. 



In Louisiana the cotton-caterpillars, after several ominous demon- 

 strations in July, appeared in force in several counties during August. 

 They nearly "finished" the crop in Tangipahoa, and reduced that of 

 Marion to a half average. In Concordia many fields were entirely 

 stripped of foliage. Severe iujuries were inflicted in Red Kiver and 

 Saint Landry, while insects in formidable numbers were reported in 

 Cameron, Carroll, Union, Eapides, Avoyelles, Baton Eouge, and Caddo. 

 In Baton Eouge they were very aunoyiug to peach and grape growers. 

 In Orleans County truck-farmers suffered from the ravages of a large 

 black grasshopper, {Bomalia onicroptera.) This insect has been known 

 for forty years, appearing in May along the South Atlantic and Gulf coast. 

 Heretofore it has been comparatively harmless, but this year it was very 

 injurious to melons and vegetables. It also climbed peach and fig trees 

 to devour the fruit. It cannot fly, its wings being too short. 



In Texas serious damages to the cotton crop are reported in Austin, 

 Gonzales, Atasftosa, Matagorda, Milam, and Blanco Counties by cotton- 

 caterpillars, grasshoppers, and an undescribed insect. In Gonzales 

 County grasshoppers also inflicted great injury upon bottom crops of 

 corn. 



In Jefferson County, Kentucky, pears suffered from the depredations 

 of the locust, {Cicada septendecem.) 



In several counties north of the Ohio Eiver the Colorado potato-beetle 

 (Doryphora decemlineata) was quite active. In some cases its depre- 

 dations were serious, while in others they were successfully resisted 

 by remedies. Infusions of Paris-green, dog-fennel, and May- weed are 

 reported as quite effective in different places. The general opinion 

 appears to be that these insects were not nearly so numerous or destruc- 

 tive as in former years. Similar reports come from Minnesota, Iowa, 

 and Missouri. In Pulaski County, Missouri, the disappearance of the 

 beetle is attributed to the destruction of its eggs by the lady-bug, 

 {Coccinella,) which appeared in great numbers. In Nebraska the Col- 

 orado beetle was more annoying, its ravages being quite severe in sev- 

 eral counties. In Boone County the " old black potato-bug, enlarged 

 and improved," was quite a nuisance. This was, probably, the Macro- 

 basis alhida, specimens of which have been receivetl by the Department, 

 with the statement that they devour not only i^otatoes, but several 

 other vegetables. • From the same locality come reports of a large round 

 beetle, with faint stripes along its dusky back, which has been very 

 destructive. The terms of description suit several destructive insects, 

 and hence are insulficient to identify the one in question. In Eepublic 

 County, Kansas, the "old-fashioned" potato-bug {Cantliaris cinerea) 

 greatly injured potatoes and beets. The Colorado beetle was also annoy- 

 ing in Helena County, Montana. In Iron County, Utah, potatoes, beets, 

 and corn were destroyed, to a considerable extent, by a dark-gTcen worm, 

 an inch and a half in length, not yet identified. Our correspondent says 

 that the ground was literally covered with these worms. 



The chinch-bug did some damage to Australian wheat in Pulaski 

 County, Indiana. In Kankakee County, Hlinois, it seriously damaged 

 corn and oats. It was also quite destructive in Mahaska, Marion, and 

 Lucas Counties, Iowa, and inflicted greater or less injuries in Harrison, 

 Nodaway, Crawford, Washington, Jefferson, Moniteau, Sullivan, Eey- 

 nolds, and Phelps Counties, Missouri. In Wilson and Jefferson Coun- 

 ties, Kansas, this bug was very destructive on wheat, especially the 



