77 



jurious to vegetation — and that is the only kind we are now consider- 

 ing — we may exclude the Neuroptera (dragon flies, lace-winged flies, 

 &c), as there are no injurious species of this order found in this State, 

 at least in numbers sufficient to excite attention. 



This leaves but four orders' to be considered, the Coleoptera, Hymenop- 

 tera, Mepidoptera, and Diptera, which is still a very broad field over 

 which to range in search of a single species. 



If our supposed larva has no feet, it belongs either to the Diptera, 

 Hymenoptera, or Coleoptera. If it belongs to the Diptera, it will be a 

 small maggot, probably infesting the wheat, as the larva of the Hes- 

 sian fly, injuring the onion, as the onion maggot, or the larva of some 

 gall or fruit fly belonging to the family Ortalidse ; the number of in- 

 jurious species belonging to this order being comparatively small and 

 all footless maggots. If it belongs to the Hymenoptera, it will be a 

 small maggot, in all probability inhabiting a gall, on the leaf, stem 

 or twig of a plant. If a Coleopterous insect, it will probably be the 

 larva of some wood-borer belonging to either the Buprestridse, Ceramby- 

 cidas, or Scolytidse., or the larva of some species of the great Curculio 

 family. 



If it should have feet, then it cannot belong to Diptera, or to any of 

 the families of Hymenoptera, exeept Tenthredinklee (saw flies) or Urocer- 

 idse (horn-tails), nor can it belong to the iomilies Curculionidse or Scoly- 

 tidse of the order Coleoptera. Therefore we may safely presume that it 

 belongs to the Lepidoptera, or to one of the two families of Hymenoptera, 

 just mentioned, or that it is a Coleopterous species. If it belongs to 

 Hymenoptera, it will have twelve or more pro-legs, in addition to the 

 six true legs ; if it belongs to Lepidoptera, it will have from four to ten 

 pro-legs and six true legs. 



Thus we may be enabled to determine the order to which it belongs, 

 if we have first ascertained positively that it is injurious to vegeta- 

 tion ; then turning to the description of the families of the orders 

 which contain the injurious species, we may be enabled to determine 

 with reasonable certainty the family in which it belongs. By know- 

 ing the particular plant it injures, the part of the plant it works on 

 or in, and its size, we may at length ascertain the species or particu- 

 lar group to which it belongs. 



A short explanation in regard to the terms used in describing species 

 is necessary, but the reader is referred to the Glossary, which is found 

 at the commencement of this report, and also to Dr. Le Baron's fourth 

 report, where much is given that I will not repeat here, as that re- 

 port is presumed to be in the hands of most of those who feel inter- 

 ested in the subject of entomology. 



The appendages and parts of the" head have received certain names 

 which are used in describing insects, as ordinary language does not 

 afford terms sufficiently definite. Those desiring to understand these 

 descriptions should familiarize themselves with these terms. 



The Antinnae are two, jointed, thread-like appendages which arise 

 from the head, one from each side, and are often called horns. There 

 are different forms, some being much elongated and composed of many 

 joints, as in the katy-dids ; others are quite short and composed of 

 two joints, as in the true bugs ; others, as in most beetles, are of 

 medium length, etc. 



