36 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



midge, begun in 19 18, were continued during the past season and 

 the data collected show that this insect was relatively much less 

 abundant than in earlier years, particularly in 19 18. There are 

 some areas, however, notably Genesee, Livingston, Monroe and 

 Orleans counties, where this insect appears to be somewhat prevalent 

 and where under favorable conditions it might become much more 

 numerous and cause an appreciable amount of injury. The data 

 collated this year show, as in previous seasons, a close relationship 

 between the abundance of maggots and the number of shrunken 

 or blasted kernels of grain. 



The Hessian fly is one of the most destructive and best known 

 wheat pests; through the courtesy of Prof. C. R. Crosby, Cornell 

 University, the results of a field survey have been placed at the dis- 

 posal of the Entomologist and the details are given in the body of 

 his report. It will be noted, on referring thereto, that Genesee, 

 Livingston, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans counties show a higher 

 average percentage of infestation than others, conditions in this 

 area apparently being exceptionally favorable for both this insect 

 and the related wheat midge. 



Data in relation to the abundance of these wheat pests are of 

 importance, since the returns from year to year indicate plainly 

 areas where the insects are most likely to cause serious losses and if 

 such figures are recorded from year to year, they in time may show 

 a distinct though irregular periodicity and lead to a clearer under- 

 standing of the factors producing these fluctuations. 



Observations by the Entomologist last year showed that partly 

 grown army worm caterpillars hibernated successfully in Saratoga 

 county. They have been confirmed by finding similar conditions 

 in the early spring of 1920. 



Other field crops. The ordinary pests of farm crops attracted 

 comparatively little attention, though in early spring there was 

 considerable complaint of an unusual abundance of asparagus 

 beetles in the vicinity of Albany. They caused trouble, as in 1919, 

 not only on account of their feeding upon the shoots, but because 

 the numerous black eggs necessitated very careful washing before 

 the asparagus could be marketed. 



The cold, wet weather of the spring was unusually favorable for 

 root maggots and as a consequence there was considerable damage 

 by both cabbage and onion maggots. 



Several species of wireworms caused rather severe injury in the 

 vicinity of Albany. It appears very probable that this damage 



