REPORT OX WORK OF THE SEASON. 



By Herbert Osborx. 



LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



Ames, Iowa, Ocioler, 1890. 

 Sir: I transmit herewith a report upon the work of the season, including mention 

 of certain insects that have been observed during the season and notes regarding 

 certain others, observations on which are in progress, with the expectation of giving 

 more detailed accounts of their life histories and habits. 



There is much yet to be done on the insects affecting grass before anything like a 

 full report can be made upon them, but I shall hope to bring the work of the present 

 season into shape for submission at the end of the year. 



The work on the parasites of domestic animals has been continued and a part is 

 already submitted for printing, while a considerable amount of other matter is in 

 form to be presented at an early date. 

 Very respectfully, 



Herbert Osborn. 

 Prof. C. V. Riley, 



U. S. Entomologist. 



During the past summer there has been no great depredation by any 

 single insect pest in the State, but a number of the common species of 

 insects have been working with their accustomed energy, and the losses 

 from this source in the State have probably been up to the average of 

 ordinary seasons. 



The observations on insects affecting grass crops have been continued, 

 and I am only the more strongly impressed with the importance of the 

 insects affecting these crops in this State, and believe that the estimates 

 given in my last year's report as to the probable loss from this source 

 to have been by no means overstated. 



Judging by the reports of the correspondents of the Iowa Weather 

 and Crop Service, who represent every section of the State, the insects 

 that have caused most extensive injury are those infesting meadows 

 and pastures and sod land planted to corn. Not only are there numer- 

 ous reports of injury by insects to timothy, to pastures, and to corn 

 planted on land previously in grass, but numerous mention of poor 

 condition in meadows and pastures, shortage in grass and hay crop, 



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