4 
164 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
ing the adult stage. This species was also observed, though less abundant on 
Amarantus blitoides, 
Erythroneura vitis was abundant throughout the season, as also Thrips tritici, 
and Phicwothrips nigra was present in immense numbers in clover blossoms, bothas 
larve and adults, and I think there can be no question but that they get their 
nourishment from the plant. There seems, however, to be no very decided injury 
as a result of their presence, though it is to be noted that many clover heads where 
they are present blacken early and do not set seed apparently as full as they should. 
I have seen adults of the latter species working their jaws rapidly on the tissues of 
clover blossoms, but could not discover any of the tissue bitten away. 
Tetranychus telarius.—In addition to the usual plants infested by this mite I 
have observed it this season in egg, larval, and adult stages upon the leaves of 
clover, their presence being indicated by the usual yellowish or rusty blotches. 
REPORT ON THE SHASON’S OBSERVATIONS IN NEBRASKA. 
By LAWRENCE BRUNER, Special Agent. 
WeEsT Point, NEBR., October 24, 1887. 
Sir: Herewith is submitted a report of my observations in the State of Nebraska 
and adjoining regions during the current year, being incidental to our conjoint 
work on the Acridide. 
Very respectfully, 
LAWRENCE BRUNER, 
Prof. C. V. RILEY, 
U. S. Entomologist. 
INTRODUCTION, 
The present has been an uncommonly favorable year for nearly every species of 
injurious @nsect that is thus far known to occur within the borders of Nebraska 
and adjoining States. A close, rather severe winter, followed by a moderately late 
spring without rains and changing to a hot, dry summer, has been the chief cause 
for this undue increase of noxious insects. 
Among the insect depredators that have come to my immediate notice during the 
year the following are chief: 
Chinch Bug, Codling Moth, Strawberry Crown-borer, Cottonwood Leaf Beetle, 
Colorado Potato Beetle, Cabbage Butterfties, Willow Sawfiy, Ash Sawfly, Walnut 
Caterpillar, Corn Worms, Cut-worms, Larva of Swallow-tail Butterfly on Ash, 
Weevils in seeds of Ash, several species of locusts, native and migratory, and three 
or four species of beetles on the native willows. 
COLORADO POTATO BEETLE. 
(Doryphora 10-lineata.) 5 
This beetle began operations rather later than usual, from which fact I had antici- 
pated a year of comparative immunity from its ravages, which fact, I think, was 
mentioned in one of my letters to you at the time. During June. however, potato- 
fields began to suffer, and picking after picking of the mature insects appeared to 
make no impression on their steadily increasing numbers. Paris green an® London 
purple alone saved such portion of the crop as was saved. Not until quite late in 
June and the early part of July did its natural enemies appear to ke able to accom- 
plish anything perceptible in the way of checking its rapid increase. This state of 
affairs was the general rule. In my garden, however, the crop was more favored, 
scarcely a beetle appearing until after the plants were all in blossom, and the first 
brood of the season made its appearance. From this time on they came in ‘‘swarms,” 
and picking by hand availed but little. Soon the vines were covered and the leaves 
disappeared as if by magic. Now came the enemies, also quite numerous, vari- 
ous species of Lady-birds, Carabide, and two species of Hemiptera (Arma spimosa, 
Dallas, and Perillus claudus, Say), the latter not heretofore known by me to feed 
upon this insect. In fact I never saw it before that [remember of. When digging 
