56 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



ously injured the previous year was badly damaged the past 

 season. We were fortunate enough in early spring to rear the 

 adult of this fragile midge which has hitherto escaped notice 

 although the blighted blossom buds have been common for 

 several years. Owing to the delay in issuing the report for 

 1908 it was possible to give, in that publication, a full account 

 of the pest. 



The grape root worm, though generally prevalent in the 

 Chautauqua region, has not caused much alarm. This is due 

 in part to a more thorough understanding of the insect and 

 methods of controlling it, and also to better cultivation and 

 fertilization. The latter are important factors in producing 

 vines capable of withstanding injury. 



Shade tree pests. The protection of our shade trees from 

 the ravages of insect pests has continued, as it most assuredly 

 should, to receive much attention. It is gratifying to record 

 that the general public is displaying a very commendable in- 

 terest in this phase of economic entomology. There have been 

 numerous demands for information in regard to these pests and 

 methods of controlling them. The supplying of such informa- 

 tion has been an important part of the office work. 



The elm leaf beetle has been somewhat prevalent in the Hud- 

 son and Mohawk valleys. It caused extensive injury for the 

 first time in the city of Amsterdam and was quite destructive 

 at Schenectady and also at Sandy Hill. There was general 

 though not very severe injury in both Albany and Troy, while 

 judging from reports this pest has been exceedingly destructive 

 to elms on Long Island. 



The spruce gall aphid, noticed in the preceding report, has 

 continued abundant and rather injurious in widely separated 

 portions of the State. It is a species which should be watched 

 closely, since it is capable of causing severe damage, not only 

 by destroying the terminal twigs and thus stunting the growth 

 but also, as pointed out last year, by blasting the buds. 



The sugar maple borer continues to be a serious enemy of 

 maples. It was particularly abundant the past summer at 

 Fulton, N. Y. A number of trees in that village were badly 

 affected and a few were dying as a result of the recent work 

 of this pernicious borer. 



Forest insects. The ravages of forest insects are increasing 

 in severity with the lapse of time. Our forest trees have suf- 



