10 



along the Elkhorn Kiver. Everywhere that it has been reported as 

 uncommonly destructive investigations reveal the fact that rotation in 

 crops is not practiced, but that corn is planted year after year upon 

 the same grounds. This fact alone would account for its increase and 

 spread, as has been demonstrated by repeated experiments by different 

 entomologists as well as by farmers themselves. It had been my inten- 

 tion during the past summer to make special efforts to ascertain whether 

 or not this insect had other food plants in this region, but my absence 

 from home for the greater part of the time when this would have been 

 under way made this investigation impossible, and it must be under- 

 taken next year. 



The Green- striped Maple Worm. — This insect continues to strip our 

 silver maples of their leaves in the cities and towns of the State. Usu- 

 ally the spring brood does not appear in sufficient numbers to entirely 

 defoliate the trees ; but, as a rule, the next brood is numerous enough 

 to do this. Thus far it has been my experience that it is next to impos- 

 sible to induce the owners of property to do anything toward protect- 

 ing their shade trees from the injuries of this and other insect enemies. 

 They will do everything but the right thing, even to bandaging them 

 with cotton (medicated) as a protection againt this and similar moths. 

 As matters appear at present we will have an abundant crop of Maple 

 Worms in this part of the country next year again; also a number of 

 bared trees along the streets to advertise the ignorance of our people 

 as to the life-history of this insect. 



Lyda sp. — During the month of June specimens of the larvae of some 

 species of sawfly, belonging to the genus Lyda, were received from a 

 number of correspondents residing in various portions of central Ne- 

 braska. These " slugs V were said to completely defoliate the wild plum 

 trees of the respective localities from which the reports and specimens 

 came. None of the mature insects were reared or received, hence I 

 can not say to which species they belonged. 



The Gooseberry Span-worm. — This insect attracted especial attention 

 during the year. The larvae of this moth appeared in great numbers 

 in portions of some of the newer settled regions to the north and west 

 of here, where in many cases they completely defoliated currant and 

 gooseberry bushes. Over the older settled portions of the State, how- 

 ever, they were not reported at all. This fact is probably due to the 

 presence of insectivorous birds and parasitic insects in greater num- 

 bers where the country has been settled for a longer time. Such is 

 evidently the reason for having most of my inquiries come from the 

 newer settled districts. 



SUGAR BEET INSECTS. 



A study of the insect enemies of the Sugar Beet has been continued 

 throughout the spring and summer, with the results of adding several 

 species to the list as published last year. Beyond these additions no 



