76 Thirty-eighth Annual Report. 



Sequel of Insect Attacks of Last Year. 



In my preceding report a brief notice was given of a peculiar attack 

 of the white-marked tussock-moth, Orgyia leucostigma (Sm.-Abb. ), in 

 girdling the young tips of the twigs of elms in Albany and the vicinity, 

 and causing them to fall to the ground. This form of attack had never 

 been recorded of the insect before, but it was thought possible that it 

 might be continued to some extent in following years. 



Nothing of the kind, however, was observed during the past year 

 when the insect again appeared, although diligent watch was kept for 

 its recurrence. Only a comparatively small number of the larvae made 

 their appearance in Albany, at their accustomed time — not enough to 

 injure, in the slightest appreciable degree, the foliage of any of the 

 shade trees. For several years previous the city had not been so free 

 from its injurious presence. This may have been the result of the se- 

 vere frosts that occurred as the larvae were about emerging from the 

 eggs, together with an unusual number of its parasitic enemies the pre- 

 ceding summer, when very few of the larvae matured, and the cocoons 

 bearing their deposit of eggs (showing completed transformations) were 

 quite exceptional. 



As a contribution to the life-history of the species, it may be noted, 

 that on July 5, 1884, larvae were seen spinning their cocoons upon the 

 trunks of maples in Washington Park, Albany, together with newly- 

 made cocoons, some containing unchanged larvae and others the pupae. 

 On the 1 6th July, females had emerged and deposited eggs, while a 

 larva was seen still feeding. On the 21st, a number of cocoons were 

 collected in which the larvae were found to have been destroyed by a 

 parasitic Tachina. 



At Philadelphia, Pa., on September 8, a second brood of the insect 

 was observed, in female moths and egg-deposits, and larvae construct- 

 ing their cocoons. 



In the notice of the chinch-bug, Blissus leucopterus, in my report 

 for 1883, it is stated : " The re-appearance of the insect the coming 

 season will be watched with much interest, as a test of the efficacy of 

 the partial efforts put forth for its destruction." 



The insect has not re-appeared, in northern New York, to the extent 

 of committing serious injury. In localities where it had abounded 

 the preceding year, and the land had not been plowed, its presence, in 

 hibernated individuals, was observed soon after the snow had gone. No 

 further damage from it was reported to me, nor could I learn of any 

 through careful inquiry, except in one instance where no attention had 

 been paid to the recommendation of thorough autumn plowing. Here 

 a piece of wheat of several acres in extent was attacked by it and con- 

 siderably injured. 



Apparently, the increase of this dreaded pest in northern New York, 

 at the present time, has been effectually checked. 



For the details of my studies and investigations during the year, I 

 beg leave to refer to my regular report, much of which is in MS., which 

 will be hereafter presented to your honorable Board. 



Respectfullv submitted, 



T. A. LINTNER. 



