59 



This question has been more fully discussed in a paper read with 

 your consent before the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural 

 Science at the Indianapolis meeting. In that paper I have referred to 

 different explauations for the silver-topped condition of grass aud pre- 

 sented the grounds for my own opinion that for this locality and in 

 blue grass the injury must be referred mainly to these Jassida3. From 

 the fact that these Jassidse are exposed to the application of remedies 

 that would not affect insects protected in the sheath it is evident that 

 the adoption of measures to destroy these, as suggested in my last 

 year's report, should result in a decrease of the " silver-top." 



GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS IN GRASS. 



The common species of grasshoppers or locusts have been as usual 

 very plentiful, Melanoplus femur -rubrum probably heading the list for 

 abundance, but several other species, as M. differential-is, Dissosteira 

 Carolina, Tomonotus sulphureus, and Arphia sordida form a very con- 

 spicuous part of the grass-eating species. For the present season also 

 there has been a very great abundance of the little field cricket, Nemo- 

 bius mttatus. This was noticed as especially abundant on sunny hill- 

 sides in pastures and in many places aggregated in such numbers 

 as to completely cover the surface of the ground. While this species 

 has been rather frequently mentioned among the species common 

 throughout the country and its herbivorous habits accepted, sp far as 

 : I know by all, there has been apparently little attention to it as a de- 

 * structive species or one worthy of particular attention on account of 

 the injury it may cause in pastures. 



It is quite evident, however, that when occurring in anything like the 

 abundance in which it has been observed here this season it must be 

 the cause of no little loss, and it may very well be associated with the 

 more frequently mentioned locusts in the category of destructive 

 meadow insects. 



MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. 



The Apple Leaf Skeletonizer (Pempelia hammondii) has been sent me 

 this season from near Des Moines, where it was reported as doing con- 

 siderable damage. This insect has been comparatively rare in the State 

 for a number of years, but from the account received of its appearance 

 this year it must have been in such numbers as to cause no little dam- 

 age, and it is to be hoped that prompt measures will be adopted by the 

 fruit-growers of that locality to prevent its spread. 



The Turnus Butterfly (Papilio turnus) has been noticed as more than 

 ordinarily abundant, the larvaB occurring in considerable numbers on 

 various trees, especially on plum trees in this vicinity. While the species 

 has seldom assumed an economic importance, in this State at least, it 

 may be that it will require occasional attention, and it will of course 

 readily succumb to the treatment by spraying, so efficacious for leaf- 

 eating larvaB. 



