■46 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



or by planting potatoes, corn and other susceptible crops upon 

 recently turned and seriously infested sod. 



Depredations by grass wehworms in Dutchess county were again 

 brought to the attention of the Department. In one case a five acre 

 field of corn near Pine Plains was destroyed by the insects. The 

 work of these pests, as has been pointed out before, can be avoided 

 to a large extent by refraining from planting badly infested sod to 

 susceptible crops, such as corn. An effort has been made to interest 

 several persons in the practical control of these insects and it is 

 possible that infested grasslands can be effectively freed from the 

 pests at a very moderate cost. 



Shade tree insects. Observations showed that elm leaf beetle 

 injuries have not been particularly severe the past season, due in 

 part presumably to low temperatures prevailing in June and thus 

 delaying egg deposition, and also probably to the abundant rainfall 

 which has enabled the trees to withstand successfully a considerable 

 amount of leaf injury. Many of these pests completed their trans- 

 formation successfully, and with favorable climatic conditions 

 another season, severe damage may be expected in localities where 

 the trees suffered but little the past summer. 



Other rather common shade tree pests, such as the white marked 

 tussock moth, the false maple scale and the cottony maple scale, 

 have attracted comparatively little attention the past season. 



Forest tree pests. There has been contimied injury by the 

 hickory hark beetle in the vicinity of New York City and in other 

 sections of the State, though the insects do not appear to be so 

 abundant and destructive as in earlier years. The general interest 

 in the protection of forest trees, especially in the vicinity of New 

 York City, has resulted in cutting out many dead and dying trees, 

 which has had a material influence in reducing the numbers of 

 the pest. In connection with work upon this insect, the Ento- 

 mologist has been able to rear large series of secondary forms 

 occurring in dying and dead trees. 



The two-lined chestnut borer is continuing its nefarious work 

 and destroying groups of oaks, especially in regions about New 

 York City. The prompt removal and destruction of infested trees 

 has proved of much value in checking the pest. 



The recently established bayonet or post horn pine borer, an intro- 

 duction from Europe, has been reported from, several localities and 

 bids fair to, develop, unless kept under rigid control, into a serious 

 enemy of our native pines. 



