56 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of years. An interesting and rare type of injury was observed 

 in one of the infested fields. It was caused by a small, yellow field 

 ant; probably Solenopsis debilis Mayr., eating out the con- 

 tents of the kernel, and the corn sprout, thus deprived of its normal 

 nourishment, developed very slowly. 



Shade tree insects. Injuries by the elm leaf beetle continue as 

 in previous years, though local restrictions were perhaps fully as 

 marked as in earlier seasons. There was a great decrease in this 

 pest in 1 91 2, due, as the Entomologist then believed, to abnormally 

 low temperatures in mid June, and the same phenomenon, though 

 to a somewhat less extent, was observed last season. A study of 

 the abundance of this insect in connection with the temperature 

 records for the past decade has enabled the Entomologist to formu- 

 late a provisional rule as to the relation existing between the abun- 

 dance of the beetle and low temperatures in mid June. 



The spruce bud scale, Physokermes piceae Schr., a 

 comparatively unknown pest in New York State, has been brought 

 to our attention during the last two or three years from widely 

 separated localities, and a study of the situation indicates a connec- 

 tion between infestation by this scale insect and the dying branches 

 so frequently seen upon Norway spruce trees. 



The Norway maple, hitherto regarded as comparatively free from 

 insect pests, has been shown by the studies of the past season, to 

 be subject to attack by a leaf hopper, Alebra albostriella 

 Fall., and a scale insect, Leucaspis japonica Ckll. The 

 former appears to be very serious at times, and the latter may 

 prove to be a species of considerable economic importance. 



Forest pests. The hickory bark beetle still continues as an im- 

 portant pest in the vicinity of New York City and here and there 

 in the Hudson valley, though from the investigations the injury 

 does not appear to be so extensive and severe as in earlier years. 

 It is to be expected that natural enemies will soon begin to regain 

 the ascendency, which already seems to be the ease to a lim- 

 ited extent. It is undoubtedly true that conditions have been ma- 

 terially benefited by the somewhat general cutting and burning of 

 badly infested trees. 



The establishment of the recently introduced bayonet or posthorn 

 pine borer, E v e t : r i a 1) noli a n a Schiff., in several New \ ork 

 localities, was investigated. This introduction adds another po- 

 tentially important enemy to our list o\ pine pests. This European 

 species lias evidently been established in the country For several 

 years, probably being brought here with nursery stock. The in- 



