202 



I select a few notes ou the principal pests. The region varies in alti- 

 tude, in the farming portion, from 700 to 3,500 feet above sea level, with 

 a corresponding change in climate. Wheat and fruit are the princi- 

 pal crops. 



The wheat aphis [Siphonophora aven(c) has been almost universally 

 l)reseut this year in northern Idaho and eastern Washington. The 

 Syrphus flies, lace wing flies, and ladybirds have pretty well checked it 

 at the present writing (July 30). 1 have seen no internal parasites, 

 though 3Ir. Howard reported some in a shipment sent to him from a 

 point in Washington. The aphis must have been in this section for a 

 number of years, otherwise it could not have appeared so widely this 

 season. Accurate observation on this point is lacking, but some 

 farmers say the same outbreak occurred ten or twelve years ago. 



The codling moth [Carpocapsa pomonella) has been abundant for some 

 years in the old fruit-growing region about Lewiston. It is now gradu- 

 ally spreading into the newer orchards. Doubtless the spread is very 

 largely due to bringing apj)les from old orchards into the vicinity of 

 the newer. 



Tlie bud moth ( Tmetocera ocellana) was introduced about Genesee last 

 winter on shipments of apple trees from New York. It attracted con- 

 siderable attention, and appears to find the climate favorable to its 

 increase. 



The woolly aphis [Hchizoneura lanigera) and the apple aphis {Aphis 

 malt) are both present, the former in restricted area.s and the latter 

 quite generally. Both were doubtless introduced on young fruit trees. 



The pear-leaf blister-mite [PhytoptH.s pyri), which from an economic 

 point of view belongs to the entomologist, is quite generally distributed 

 through the State. It was, of course, introduced in the buds of young 

 trees. 



The San Jose scale {AspUUoiiis perniciosus) i^'knovfix Skiiy&t on\y in 

 a limited area about Lewiston, where the oldest orchards are. It was 

 introduced on trees. It is the most dreaded of all the insect pests, and 

 a considerable eftbrt is made to prevent its getting a foothold in new 

 localities. The laws of Idaho permit each county to appoint a " horti- 

 cultural commissioner," whose duty is to inspect orchards, fruit stock, 

 etc., with ample powers to compel spraying or destruction of property 

 nfested. Only three counties have taken advantage of the statute at 

 present, the fruit interests of the others being but little developed. 



INSECTS OF THE YEAR. 



By F. M. Webster, Wooater, Ohio. 



To me, in Ohio, the present year has been unusually prolific in those 

 unexpected occurrences and outbreaks which happen to a greater or 

 less extent every year, and of ■which we may truthfully say that we 

 know not one day what the next will bring forth. In early spring I 



