REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I909 J 



The grape root worm, though generally prevalent in the Chau- 

 tauqua region, has not caused much alarm. This is due in part to 

 a more thorough understanding of the insect and methods of con- 

 trolling it, and also to better cultivation and fertilization. The 

 latter are important factors in producing vines capable of with- 

 standing 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 most commendable interest 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 has been an important 

 part of the office work. 



The elm leaf beetle has been somewhat prevalent in the Hudson 

 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 con- 

 tinued abundant and rather injurious in widely separated portions 

 O'f the State. It is a species which should be watched cloisely, since 

 it is capable of causing severe damage, by destroying the terminal 

 twigs and thus stunting the growth. 



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 suffered 

 greatly in recent years from outbreaks by leaf-feeding caterpillars. 

 The snow-white linden moth has been one of the chief offenders. 

 The past season was marked by extensive depredations by this pest. 

 The flight of hosts oi white moths about city and village lights, 

 so generally noticed in 1908 was observed the past season. 



The small, modest, grayish amid olive-brown moths of the spruce 

 bud worm attracted unusual notice in midsummer on account of 

 their prevalence at street Hghts in a number of widely separated 

 cities. These flights, judging from reports received, have been pre- 

 ceded by serious injuries to spruce trees in the Adirondacks. 



