116 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Chinese praying mantis, Tenodera sinensis Saussure. It 

 is interesting in connection with the above to note that this large 

 species has already become established in New York city and its 

 vicinity, as stated by Mr L. H. Joutel. 



This insect was first brought prominently to the attention of 

 American entomologists in 1898 by Philip Laurent publishing 

 a brief notice of its occurrence in the vicinity of Philadelphia in 

 the issue of the Entomological News for June. In a later issue 

 Mr Laurent states that he received the first specimen from Mr 

 Mehan of the firm of Thomas Mehan & Sons in 1896. Later re- 

 ports state that the insect has become well established in Phila- 

 delphia and apparently is able to hold its own in that climate. It 

 appears to be thriving in the vicinity of New York city and may 

 prove to be a valuable addition to our fauna, since it preys on 

 other insects, and can hardly be otherwise than beneficial. 



IMPORTANCE OF INJURIOUS INSECTS INTRODUCED 



FROM ABROAD 1 



One can not help being interested in the sources of our troubles* 

 and the writer recently had occasion to look up some of the facts 

 concerning introduced species, which, though they are well known, 

 are worthy of further emphasis. It is generally conceded that 

 some of our most troublesome insect pests are those which have 

 made their way to us from abroad, and, while this is accepted as 

 an authentic statement, its importance is not fully realized. The 

 depredations of these introduced species are becoming more and 

 more apparent, and Hie present indications are that in the 

 future even more strenuous efforts must be made to subdue some 

 of these insects. Let us glance briefly at the conditions in several 

 portions of our country. 



The commonwealth of Massachusetts now has within its borders 

 two exceedingly injurious insects, which are bound sooner or later 

 to make their way over a considerable portion of the United 

 States. That commonwealth made a determined effort to ex- 

 terminate the gipsy moth, Porthetria dispar Linn., and 

 after the expenditure of over one million dollars abandoned the 



1 Read before the Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science at its meeting held in Wash- 

 ington I). C. Dec. 29. ]«02. : 



