REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1901 759' 



It will be seen that June of 1899-1901 was distinctly warmer 

 than in the two preceding years, and, while no other months 

 show as marked difference in mean temperatures, even this 

 means a considerable increase in warmth for the sea- 

 son when accompanied by no corresponding decrease in other 

 months. It is also worthy of notice in this connection that 

 July 1901 was exceptionally warm, as compared with preceding 

 years. 



Cicada killer, Sphecius speciosus Drury. This hand- 

 some, black, yellow marked wasp has been relatively quite 

 abundant about Albany the last summer. A few specimens were 

 taken in the city and at Karner, 7 miles west, it was abundant 

 about scrub oaks, where it appeared to be feeding on the sap 



Fig. 28 Cicada killer (original) 



exuding from some of the buds. This insect has previously not 

 been recorded so far north, not being known to occur in the 

 Hudson river valley above the vicinity of Poughkeepsie. Its 

 presence and abundance are probably due largely to the more 

 than normal warmth of the last year or two. 



Giant swallowtail or orange dog, Heraclides cres- 

 p h o n t e s Cram. The larvae of this giant butterfly were 

 unusually abundant last summer. They were sent to the office 

 from Athens, Greene co., Selkirk and Albany, Albany co., 

 Schoharie, Schoharie co., Albion, Orleans co., and Batavia, Gene- 

 see co. The report from Batavia states that this insect is some- 

 thing entirely new to that locality. The caterpillars must have 

 been quite abundant at Schoharie, as about 200 were taken from 



