78 a EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY. 



H. T. FERNALD. 



The entomological work of the experiment station has fol- 

 lowed along its usual lines during 1916. No unusual outbreaks 

 of insects have appeared, the correspondence — which generally 

 indicates what is happening in the State — having been quite 

 diversified in its nature. 



Over 2,500 letters were answered during the year. Inquiries 

 about 149 different kinds of insects; 38 about insecticides; 19 

 about publications on insects; 6 on fumigation; and 52 about 

 the best methods of controlling pests other than insects were 

 received. 



The insects most frequently asked about were, in order of 

 frequency, plant lice, the bean weevil, ants, the white pine 

 weevil (perhaps because of the interest in the pines aroused by 

 the campaign against the white pine blister), the gypsy moth, 

 the red-humped apple-tree caterpillar. 



A number of insects not often reported were also the subjects 

 of inquiry during the year, chief among these being the carrot 

 rust fly {Psila rosce Fab.), the grape plume moth, the pear 

 midge, the oriental moth and the tarnished plant bug, w^hich 

 was reported as having caused serious trouble by "stinging" 

 on the eyes and hands of the sender. Aquatic dipterous larvae 

 collected in a milk can were also received during the year. 



For several years insects found on imported nursery stock 

 by the State inspectors have been sent to this department for 

 identification when not recognized by the inspector. Many 

 such specimens are received each year, and our collection of 

 foreign insects liable to reach this country at any time is now 

 quite large. Nearly fifty different kinds of insects w^ere re- 

 ceived from the State inspectors during 1916, including several 

 which may safely be termed potentially serious pests. While 



