82 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Clover leaf midge (Dasyneura trifolii Lw.). This 

 European midge was first recognized in America by Prof. J. H. 

 Comstock in 1879, and appears to be somewhat widely distributed 

 though there is a lamentable paucity of definite records. This 

 deficiency has been supplied, in part at least, by incidental observa- 

 tions made during the summer, which have resulted in our finding 

 the insect or its work at the following localities: West Nyack, West 

 Haverstraw, Newburgh, Wappingers Falls, Ghent and Newfane. 

 These brief records would indicate a wide and presumably somewhat 

 general distribution in New York State. It is very probable that 

 this insect will eventually establish itself in all sections where white 

 clover is moderately abundant. 



MISCELLANEOUS INSECTS 



Cat and dog flea (Ctenocephalus canis Curtis) . This 

 insect is a very common one wherever the smaller domestic animals 

 are found, and the dog or cat without a few fleas is exceptional. This 

 pest not only occurs upon the animals, but the slender, active, 

 white larvae feed upon organic matter in cracks and crevices and are 

 most numerous about the sleeping places of their hosts. The flea 

 is a prolific insect, as has been demonstrated frequently in the case 

 of houses closed for a few weeks or months during summer. More 

 than once returning householders have been surprised to find the 

 home overrun by these active and annoying pests, they taking 

 advantage of the abundant dust and comparative freedom from 

 disturbance. This sometimes occurs in houses where no cats or dogs 

 are kept, the insects entering from nearby shelters, such as piazzas, 

 open sheds and the like. 



A striking instance of the prolificacy of fleas and the annoyance 

 and alarm which may be caused, was brought to our attention the 

 past summer. The trouble occurred in a general grocery store in 

 the Adirondack region, the cellar being badly infested, the insects 

 even invading the stove and spreading to the upper floor. The 

 fleas bred in the cellar which had a" cemented floor and was filled 

 promiscuously with boxes and bags, making anything like systematic 

 cleaning very difficult if not impossible. The dry, almost undis- 

 turbed dust afforded nearly ideal conditions for the • development 

 of the young fleas. The proprietor was greatly concerned lest this 

 be some new and dangerous insect, though investigation showed 

 it to be the above named common species. Repeated fumigation 

 with burning sulphur and the use of a liberal quantity of napthalene 

 flakes resulted in the destruction of the pest. 



