10 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



this must be supplemented by midsummer spraying with a contact 

 insecticide. 



Gipsy moth. There has not been a marked change in the infes- 

 tation at Mount Kisco, though the scouting of the winter of 191 5-16 

 showed an extension of the infested area. This latter was well 

 cleaned during the summer, thoroughly sprayed and an examination 

 in midsummer indicated the prevalence of very gratifying conditions. 

 There is no reason why this local infestation should not be eradicated 

 if the work is prosecuted with desirable thoroughness. 



Grass and grain pests. The grasshopper devastations of the 

 last two years on the borders of the Adirondacks were much reduced 

 during the past season though many young insects hatched in early 

 spring, as shown by observations in Lewis, Saratoga and Albany 

 counties. There are two causes for this change. The frequent 

 and copious rains of the spring and summer produced an abundant 

 forage capable of supporting many grasshoppers without marked 

 injury. The rains doubtless killed many of the young insects and, 

 in addition, the systematic poisoning of earlier years over large areas 

 resulted in a great decrease in the pests. The experience of the 

 last three years has amply demonstrated, generally speaking, the 

 practicability of local control through the distribution of poisoned 

 baits. 



The white grub outbreak of 19 15 was followed, as was to be 

 expected, by numerous full-grown grubs in many fields last spring 

 and as a consequence many farmers were afraid to plant susceptible 

 crops on such land. The Entomologist advised moderately late 

 planting of these areas, and the outcome in the fall fully justified 

 the recommendation. General notices were also issued calling 

 attention to the more salient features in the life history of these 

 destructive insects and pointing out the most practical means of 

 avoiding injury. Studies were continued of the white grub robber 

 fly, a species which has proved an important natural enemy of 

 white grubs. 



Incidental observations during recent years upon several minor 

 clover insects have been brought together and are placed on record 

 in this report. It will be seen by referring to these accounts that 

 two European weevils in addition to the much better known and 

 earlier introduced punctured clover leaf weevil, Hypera punc- 

 tata Fabr. , have become established in recent years in the Hudson 

 valley and in certain localities, at least, are causing an appreciable 

 amount of injury. 



