University of the' State of New York 



New York State Museum 



Bulletin 47 September 1901 



AQUATIC INSECTS IN THE ADIRONDACKS 



PREFACE 



The following account presents in part the results obtained by a close 

 study of aquatic insects in one locality. Saranac Inn proved an excep- 

 tionally favorable place for investigations of this character, and the labor 

 of two earnest, enthusiastic workers made the entomologic field station a 

 very successful institution. Only 10 weeks in the field sufficed for work- 

 ing out in more or less detail the life histories of about 100 species, the 

 discovery of 10 new species and two new genera, and for material 

 additions to the list of insects known to occur in the state. The bred 

 Chironomidae, the material representing the suborder Zygoptera of the 

 dragon flies and the collection of fish stomachs, which have not been 

 included in this report, should give, when worked up next year, a krge 

 number of additional interesting and valuable facts. 



This work, even when all available data are brought together, does 

 not complete the desirable investigations along this line. Dr Needham's 

 report, though thorough so far as it goes, is largely of a preliminary 

 nature and will prove an excellent basis for subsequent work. It is 

 physically impossible to do more than this with 10 weeks in the field. 

 The solving of the complex interrelations existing between the various 

 aquaiic forms requires persistent efforts extending through a number 

 of seasons, and the results thus obtained should be verified by studies in 

 other localities. This is a large field requiring the serious attention of 

 the botanist and zoologist, using these terms in the general sense, and 

 the practical value of these studies can not be fully available till such an 

 investigation is made along broad and comprehensive lines. A study of 

 this character could be conducted at a comparatively small outlay, and 

 would prove of great benefit to fish culture, and should result in the rear- 

 ing of many more fish 'in the fresh waters of New York state. 



E. P. Felt 



State entomologist 



