REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR I915 47 



Another pine twig borer Dioryctria abietella Zinck, 

 was brought to the Entomologist's attention because of its work in 

 the bud^ of Austrian pine at Rochester. This insect tunnels the 

 young shoots and in some instances produces a deformation very 

 similar to the species noticed above. 



Periodical cicada. A scattering infestation of this interesting 

 species was reported the past season and investigations indicate a 

 somewhat general and sparse distribution in the lower Hudson 

 valley, of a brood almost unknown heretofore north of the immedi- 

 ate vicinity of New York City. 



Flies and mosquitoes. Interest in the control of the house fly 

 and its associates has continued. There have been a number of 

 requests for information in regard to these insects and their 

 control. 



The practical control of mosquitoes has been undertaken in 

 cooperation with several local improvement societies, the most 

 important being with the Sodus Point Improvement Association. 

 The conditions in this locality are unusual, in that there are large 

 areas of practically lake-level swamps in the immediate vicinity of 

 a summer resort, consequently draining or filling were out of the 

 question, the former being impossible and the latter impractical on 

 account of the great expense involved. Another peculiar feature 

 was the occurrence of considerable areas of floating or nearly float- 

 ing cat-tails, and, as subsequent investigation showed, adapted to 

 the breeding requirements of the irritating mosquito, a species 

 remarkable because the larvae depend for their air supply upon that 

 contained in the roots of various aquatic plants. A reliable person, 

 working under the direction of the Entomologist, ascertained the 

 most important breeding places and directed their treatment with 

 oil before there was an opportunity for the wrigglers to mature. 

 Incidentally, observations were made upon the mosquito fauna of 

 the region for the reason that such biological data is the only logical 

 basis for future work. The results were very satisfactory from 

 both the practical and scientific standpoints and are discussed in 

 some detail in the Entomologist's report. 



Gall midges. The past season was marked by the discovery and 

 identification of the chrysanthemum midge, Diarthronomyia 

 hypogaea H. Lw., in widely separated localities in the country. 

 These European midges deposit their eggs upon the young growth 

 and when abundant may produce such marked deformations as to 

 render the plants practically worthless. The Entomologist has 



