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MORNINa SESSION, A UG UST 15, 1S94. 

 Tlie first paper was by Mr. Hopkins, as follows: 



NOTES ON SOME DISCOVERIES AND OBSERVATIONS OF THE YEAR 



IN WEST VIRGINIA. 



By A. D. HorKixs, Morgantoicn, M'. T'a. 



In this paper I shall endeavor to give a brief summary of some 

 observations of the year in West Virginia, which may be of interest to 

 economic entomologists. As the year is meant to include the time 

 between the Madison meeting and the present, I will also add some 

 observations made at Madison and at other points out of the State. 



A Buprestid borer affecting oaJc trees. — Quite a serious trouble, affect- 

 ing different species of oak in and around Madison, was observed, 

 which caused the death of isolated and groups of trees of different 

 ages. Upon examination, I found the larva of Agrikis hilineatiis quite 

 common in the bark of most of those that were just commencing to die. 

 I also observed what appeared to be this same trouble at different points 

 through Ohio, Wisconsin, and Indiana; and upon my return to West 

 Virginia I noticed a number of trees dying in the same manner; one of 

 which I examined, September 10, and found the larva of the same 

 Agrilus mining through the inner living bark and outer sapwood. 

 From what I have observed up to the present date with reference to 

 the habits of this insect, it is very evident to me that it is capable of 

 attacking and killing healthy oak and chestnut trees, and should the 

 conditions at any time be especially favorable for its increase I antici- 

 pate that serious trouble will result from its attack. 



0)1 the habits of Corthylus punctatissimus. — While on the excursion 

 to the Uells of the Wisconsin, on August 18, 1 observed numerous 

 hazel, sassafras, and a species of dogwood that had been killed or were 

 dying from the attack of Corthylus punctatissimus. All stages of the 

 Scolytid were found in their galleries in the base of the infested plants. 

 On September 6 the same species was observed near Evansville, Ind., 

 where young sugar maple, water beeches, ironwood, and black gum 

 were being killed by it. On September 24 dead examples of this 

 insect were found in the base of living sassafras saplings over two 

 inches in diameter near Morgantown, W. Va. Two annual growths 

 had formed over the entrance to the galleries, thus proving that the 

 species does not necessarily kill the x)lants in which they breed. 



A Buprestid borer affecting oah twigs. — September 4 to 6, different 

 species of oak, were observed around Evansville, Ind., to be affected 

 with a rather serious trouble, resembling twig blight. The unusual 

 appearance of the affected trees was attracting considerable attention. 

 I found that the trouble was caused l>y a minute Buprestid, evidently 



