REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST IC)I2 99 



one case included the entire fruit. The larvae were full grown and 

 a number had deserted the pears. 



Owing to the local habits of this midge and the ease with which 

 the infested fruit can be recognized, it is probable that one of the 

 best and most effective methods of keeping this insect in control 

 would be the early picking and destruction of the infested pears. 

 This would involve no loss, since the fruit attacked by the midge 

 can not develop. The only expense would be that attendant upon 

 the collection and destruction of the young pears, a comparatively 

 small item in the case of young trees and one which would doubt- 

 less become quite insignificant if this treatment was systematically 

 followed year after year. 



FOREST INSECTS 



Forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hiibn.) . 

 Reported injuries by this insect in 191 1 led us to notice the species 

 briefly and call attention to the possibility of its becoming more 

 numerous this season or within a year or two. Some twenty acres 

 of standing oak were defoliated at Bridgehampton, according to 

 P. B. Matthews, while Messrs Isaac Hicks & Son reported under 

 date of June 6th injury to oak on the Godfrey place in Old West- 

 bury. The characteristic larvae were somewhat abundant though 

 not destructive at Nassau. Specimens were received the latter part 

 of June from A. E. Norman, Fillmore, Allegany county, while a 

 number of reports were received from Adirondack localities. Prof. 

 C. L. Williams observed the insect, though not excessively abun- 

 dant, in the vicinity of Glens Falls. Mr A. N. Robson recorded 

 it as present in increasing numbers at Lake George. There was 

 serious injury to forest trees, probably by this species, at Ausable 

 Forks according to George Chahoon, and the same was presumably 

 the case at Jay, since Mr F. O. Bartlett reported extended defolia- 

 tion, a portion of which was probably due to this species, since it 

 was recorded as numerous in that locality the preceding year. 

 Miss Bertha L. Paddock, Franklin Academy, Malone, observed the 

 caterpillars feeding upon maple, mountain ash and hornbeam. 



It would appear from the tenor of reports received from widely 

 separated localities, that this insect is becoming more abundant, 

 and it is possible that there may be extended injury another season. 

 The probability of severe injury can be accurately forecast by ex- 

 amining hard maple twigs in particular and noting the relative 

 abundance or scarcity of egg masses. This can be done easily from 



4 



