NOTES ON INSECTS OF THE YEAR. 

 F. L. Harvey. 



Stone Flies or the nymphs of these interesting insects are 

 often received for determination. The nymphs are found in 

 streams under stones, and the flies in damp or shaded places. 

 Some of the smaller species known as Snow Flies come out 

 early in the spring and are found on the surface of the snow 

 and often fly into buildings. They may be known by the square 

 thorax and broad, plaited hind wings, which lie flat on the 

 abdomen when folded. The antennae are long and the veins 

 of the wings prominent. They are not injurious. The nymphs 

 are the favorite food of brook trout. See figs. I and 2. 



The Cocks-comb' Gall of the elm was received this season 

 and may be added to the pests attacking that favorite shade tree 

 in Maine. These galls are the work of a species of plant louse. 



The Zebra Caterpillar (Mamestra picta) is a common 

 insect in Maine, doing considerable damage to various crops. 

 They are particularly bad in gardens. They were reported the 

 past season as damaging the silks to sweet corn and feeding on 

 turnips. They were quite bad on peas in gardens. These are 

 handsome caterpillars of a pale yellow color, with three broad 

 black stripes running length wise of the body, crossed by 

 numerous narrow, pure white lines. They curl up like cut- 

 worms when disturbed. The moths have dark chestnut fore 

 wings and pale yellow hind wings and expand one and three- 

 fourths inches. See fig. 3. 



The Potato-Stalk Borer (Gortyna nitela) was reported 

 as doing considerable damage to potatoes in Western Maine 

 the past season. This insect is on the increase in Maine. The 

 larva bores into the pith of potato stalks, causing them to wilt. 

 The wilting plants should be pulled and burned so as to kill the 

 worms within them. 



The Apple-tree Tent-Caterpillar and the Forest Text- 

 Caterpillar were very abundant the past season in the west- 



