86 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Grass and grain pests. The white grub outbreak of last year has 

 largely abated, partly at least as a result of various natural causes. 

 The studies of last year have been continued. The most interesting 

 development was the discovery of many large, beneficial maggots, 

 probably a species of Erax, which were abundant in fields badly 

 infested by white grubs the preceding year, and at the time of obser- 

 vation last spring, nearly free from the pests. 



A rare or usually overlooked corn pest, the lined corn borer, was 

 destructive in Ulster county fields. A full discussion of this rel- 

 atively new insect is given in the Entomologist's report. 



The discovery of the European wolf or grain moth in a local seed 

 warehouse adds another to the list of important grain insects. A 

 careful study has been made of this insect and a detailed discussion 

 appears elsewhere. 



Shade tree insects. Observations show that the comparative 

 immunity from severe injury by the elm leaf beetle the past season 

 is probably due to the exceptionally cool weather in June, a time 

 when the laying of eggs by this pest is at its height and the period 

 when adverse climatic conditions might be expected to exert a 

 maximum influence. There have been some cases of very severe 

 injury locally here and there, due probably to a decreased vitality 

 of the trees and a speedy destruction of the abnormally small 

 leafage. It is undoubtedly true that the more thorough spraying by 

 certain communities during the last few years has been most bene- 

 ficial. The apparent check of the past season is presumably tempo- 

 rary and any extended reliance thereupon is considered inadvisable. 



The false maple scale has been the cause of a number of com- 

 plaints, though it has been distinctly less numerous than in recent 

 years. It was extremely abundant during late summer in one 

 locality at Mount Vernon. 



The tulip tree scale, a pest occasionally numerous, was unusually 

 injurious in the vicinity of New York City. Several natural 

 enemies were noted preying upon this species. 



Forest pests. Work has been continued upon the hickory bark 

 beetle, and field observations by the Entomologist lead him to be- 

 lieve that the period of severe injury for the vicinity of New York 

 City has largely passed. His investigations of previous years and 

 the studies of this season indicate the practicability of protecting 

 the more valued trees by applications made shortly after the beetles 

 have entered the bark. The probable efficacy of this treatment by 

 no means lessens the advisability of cutting and burning badly in- 

 fested wood before the borers can mature and escape. 



