Report of the State Entomologist. 131 



relates to the literature and biological illustration of North 

 American insects. 



In Lepidoptera, Mr. William H. Edwards is continuing his 

 invaluable publications and illustrations in the Butterflies of 

 North America ; while the Heterocera (moths) are receiving their 

 share of attention at the hands of Mr. Henry Edwards, Professor 

 Fernald, Rev. Mr. Hulst, Mr. J. B. Smith, and others. 



To such special students as are above named, the economic 

 entomologist, whose field of study necessarily embraces all the 

 orders without particular devotion to any one, has often occasion 

 to apply for aid in the determination of new forms, discrimination 

 between those that are closely allied, geographical distribution, 

 extrication of perplexing synonymy, etc., etc. Much that he lacks 

 may, by this means, be readily supplemented. In all cases such 

 desired aid is cordially extended. I take great pleasure in 

 acknowledging my personal obligations to each of the above 

 named gentlemen — specialists, for the assistance that has always 

 been promptly and cheerfully — ofttimes unsparingly, extended 

 to me. 



An unusual number of interesting insect attacks have been 

 brought to my notice during the present year. Owing to the brief 

 time that could be given to the preparation of this report but a 

 few of them can be noticed, and .those not to the extent that seems 

 desirable. 



The cereals of the State have not been visited to any unusual 

 degree, with insect injuries, with the single exception of a demon- 

 stration of the joint-worm fly, Isosoma liordei (Harris), in some 

 wheat flelds of Niagara county. As there is apprehension that its 

 presence in the western fields may be continued for a series of 

 years, as is its wont when a footing has been secured, a somewhat 

 extended notice of it has been given in the following pages, in 

 which means are suggested, which, if diligently employed, should 

 arrest its spread. 



I have not heard of a continuation of the Hessian fly injuries, 

 which for a few preceding years had been the cause of heavy losses 

 to the wheat crop of "Western New York, as notably in Wayne and 

 Ontario counties in 1885, when the aggregate loss was estimated 

 at $100,000, and in Seneca county, where, in the town of Junius, 

 it was claimed that 40,000 bushels of wheat had been destroyed. 



