58 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



thoroughness and those most conversant with the situation can 

 not gainsay the wisdom of such procedure. 



Grass and grain pests. The gras'shopper devastations of the 

 last two years on the borders of the Adirondacks were much 

 reduced during the past season, though many young insects hatched 

 in early spring, as shown by observations in Lewis, Saratoga and 

 Albany counties. There were two causes for this change. The 

 frequent and copious rains of the spring and summer produced an 

 abundant forage capable of supporting many grasshoppers with- 

 out marked injury. The rains doubtless killed many of the young 

 insects by producing conditions unfavorable for their development 

 and, in addition, the systematic poisoning of earlier years over 

 large areas resulted in a great decrease in the pests. The experi- 

 ence of the last three years has amply demonstrated, generally 

 speaking, the practicability of local control through the distribution 

 of poisoned baits. 



The white grub outbreak of 191 5 was followed, as was to be 

 expected, by numerous full-grown grubs in many fields last spring 

 and as a consequence many farmers were afraid to plant sus- 

 ceptible crops on such land. Moderately late planting of these 

 areas was advised and the outcome in the field fully justified the 

 recommendation. General notices were also issued calling attention 

 to the more salient features in the life history of these destructive 

 insects and pointing out the most practical means of avoiding 

 injury. Studies were continued of the white grub robber fly, a 

 species which has proved an important natural enemy of white 

 grubs. 



Incidental observations during recent years, upon several minor 

 clover insects, have been brought together and placed on record 

 in the Entomologist's report. It will be seen by referring to these 

 two accounts that two European weevils in addition to the much 

 better known and earlier introduced, punctured clover leaf weevil, 

 have become established in recent years in the Hudson valley and 

 in certain localities, at least, are causing an appreciable amount of 

 injury. 



Shade tree insects. There has been comparatively little 

 damage to the shade trees of the State, owing in part to the cli- 

 matic conditions being unusually favorable for the growth of 

 vegetation. 



An interesting injury, that of the maple leaf stem borer, has 

 been studied. This insect is a comparatively unknown one in New 



