62 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



total loss in isolated cases. Growers agree as to the beneficial 

 results following early and thorough spraying with a tobacco soap 

 preparation. 



Shade tree insects. The urgent necessity of producing large 

 crops the past season has resulted in more attention being given to 

 their insect enemies than to those occurring upon shade trees. It 

 is perhaps fortunate that the season was exceptionally favorable to 

 the growth and development of trees and consequently there was 

 comparatively little damage by insects. 



Forest tree pests. The statements made above in relation to 

 shade trees apply in large measure to forest trees, though the latter 

 part of the season was marked by an unusual abundance of hickory 

 tussock moth caterpillars and some of their allies and a corresponding 

 anxiety as to the probabilities of injury, not only during the present 

 season but in the future. ■ 



Greenhouse and garden pests. The injurious Florida fern cater- 

 pillar, recorded in the last report as having become established in a 

 Lockport greenhouse, appears to have been exterminated. Reports 

 have been received of this insect having become established in other 

 portions of the country, and now that its destructive nature is more 

 fully appreciated, the probabilities are that it will be effectually 

 excluded by the exercise of a moderate degree of care in preventing 

 the introduction of infested plants. 



The destructive chrysanthemum midge has been reported during 

 the year from a number of localities in the United States and Canada, 

 several being in Massachusetts and adjacent states. It has not, as 

 far as known, been found in New York, though as pointed out earlier 

 it is likely to be brought in with infested plants and when thoroughly 

 established is capable of causing serious damage. 



Another introduction, though not new to the continent, is the 

 establishment of the European earwig, Forficula auricu- 

 la r i a Linn., in East Aurora. This European insect appears to be 

 abundant and generally established there. It is best known because 

 of its annoying habits rather than on account of the injury it causes. 

 It was probably introduced with infested plants and is another 

 illustration of the gradual dissemination of species with habits which 

 lend themselves readily to distribution through commercial agencies. 



Flies and other pests. The necessity of controlling these insects 

 has been greatly emphasized by the extensive mobilization of troops, 

 particularly as more than half of the deaths in armies during recent 

 wars have resulted from diseases rather than from wounds. The 





