REPORTS OF OBSERVATIONS AM) EXPERIMENTS 15 



era, and northern counties. Millet appeared to sutler most, although 

 late oats and corn in a few instances were injured to some extent. 



One of these regions, viz, Ordai, in Valley County, was visited for the 

 purpose of studying" the insect in its work upon the crops. In this 

 section of country several fields of millet had been almost entirely 

 destroyed by the worms about a week prior to my visit. Prom the mil- 

 let the worms moved into adjoining corn fields, at the edges of which 

 they were fought in two or three instances by means of deep furrows 

 in which logs were dragged backward and forward. Many of the lar- 

 va- or caterpillars had already entered the ground and transformed to 

 chrysalidsj but still others remained in the fields hidden away under 

 garbage of all kinds, or crept about on the ground. Nearly all of 

 these contained the eggs of Tachina Hies upon their heads and thoracic 

 joints. Flying and walking about the infested fields were large flocks 

 of Bartram's sandpiper, red-winged blackbirds, sparrows, meadow 

 larks and several other birds that had been attracted by the rich food 

 supply. These, together with the dipterous parasites, predaceous 

 ground beetles, and several wasps, had. I was informed at the time, 

 destroyed more than three fourths of the pests, thereby illustrating the 

 value of these creatures in keeping injurious insects in check. 



Reports also reached me of the presence of this insect in hurtful 

 numbers at the following localities: In Dixon, Holt, Jefferson, Custer, 

 Valley, and several other counties not definitely stated. 



The Wheat-head Army- Worm. — Thisyearfor the firsttime J have seen 

 the larva of Leucania albilinea to recognize it. Whilerunning the hop- 

 per-dozer on the experimental farm in capturing destructive locusts. 

 numerous specimens of the caterpillars of this insect were found 

 mingled with the dead hoppers in the kerosene-oil pans. They were 

 clinging to the stems of the grain and were knocked down by tin- 

 machine as it was dragged through the field. Although quite plenti- 

 ful, the larva 1 did not appear to do any appreciable injury in the field 

 of oats that had been planted to cut for hay. No attempt was made 

 to breed parasites from the insect, although some specimens were seen 

 to contain eggs of some dipteron upon the thoracic segments and head. 



The Fall Web-worm. — This insect was again quite prominent among 

 the insect enemies that were present in cities and towns during the 

 summer. Especially was this true with respect to its first brood. In 

 the cities of Omaha and Lincoln it appeared in large numbers, partic- 

 ularly in the former city, where it stripped and covered the branches 

 of most of the box-elders and some of the other shade trees with its 

 unsightly webs. So alarmed about its continued presence and further 

 injuries were many of the citizens that they cut down the trees •• to 

 Save them." In fact, the moths tor the second brood issued in large 

 numbers, laid their eggs and died. These eggs hatched, and the situa- 

 tion certainly appeared quite critical. For some reason the greater 

 proportion oft he caterpillars of this second brood died orwere destro\ ed 



