88 



phnr fumes might injure carpets, and added that he had fumigated 

 successfully with hydrocyanic-acid gas without removing the carpets. 

 An abstract of the following paper was then presented: 



OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE INSECTS OF THE SEASON IN 



OHIO. 



By Herbert Osborn, Columbus, Ohio. 



The season of 1903 may be considered as somewhat uneventful 

 entomologieally for the State of Ohio, as there has been no unusual 

 outbreak of the insects that are commonly destructive. 



Of course there have been the usual abundance of grasshoppers and 

 other forms which are almost universally present, but their abun- 

 dance has not been sufficient to attract particular attention. On 

 the other hand, insects have been noted which have more or less 

 importance from the economic standpoint, and a few notes devoted 

 to these may serve to indicate the nature of the seasou and also to 

 continue the annual record which it seems desirable to maintain for 

 each State. 



The fall webworm (Hyphantria cunea), while not apparently very 

 abundant over the State, at least not so numerous as a year or two 

 ago, was quite abundant on the native forest trees and shrubbery of 

 Cedar Point, near Sandusky. Here it occurs under practically native 

 conditions, there having been no particular changes in the plants 

 available for their attack and any marked modifications due to settle- 

 ment or cultivation. The increase of the species, therefore, which 

 seemed quite marked as contrasted with the previous year, may be 

 considered simpty as a natural increase due to some change in the 

 abundance of the parasites or other favoring influences. While a 

 number of bushes and small trees were badly eaten, in some cases 

 completely defoliated, the damage will in all probability be repaired 

 in another season's growth and probably none of the plants killed. 



The apple maggot (Trypeta [Rhagoletis] pomonella) has been evi- 

 denced quite extensively by injured fruit which comes into the market 

 in Columbus. Whether this is local or not I am unprepared to say, 

 although most of the fruit so injured has been in market in such 

 manner that it may have come from outside localities. Professor 

 Hine lias observed the work of this insect in apples which have come 

 from the northwestern part of the State, and hence for that part of 

 the State its presence may be recorded. The damage done by this 

 species is often but slightly appreciated, at least until the fruit is 

 used. The skin in many instances shows little evidence of their 

 presence, and it is only in the rotting spaces or the pithy spots within 

 the pulp and beneath the skin that its injury is apparent. Of course 

 the keeping qualities of the fruit are greatly injured, as well as the 

 qualities for table use. 



