REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I905 



105 



from Mr E. J. Casler, TToffmeister. Hamilton co., N. Y., with the 

 statement that it was attached to the back of a tront weighing half a 

 pound. This giant water bug is a well known enemy of fishes, 

 preying as a rule on the smaller forms and when abundant it may 

 cause considerable injury by destroying large numbers of fish. 

 The full grown insect is nearly 2Y2 inches long, almost an inch in 

 breadth and of a nearly uniform brown color. These bugs fly 

 readily, which is often a necessity, as pools inhabited by them may 

 dry up completely, and at such times they may be attracted to 

 electric lights in large numbers. This has led to the popular 

 designation of electric light bug. These insects with their incon- 

 spicuous brownish coloring probably have very similar habits to an 

 enormous tropical American species measuring some 4 inches long. 

 These latter are said to lurk in quiet pools, darting out suddenly 

 upon an unsuspecting victim, which is grasped with the strong 

 clasping forelegs and cruelly wounded, when the powerful beak is 

 plunged deep into the flesh. A copious supply of saliva is injected 

 into the wound and undoubtedly hastens the paralysis so soon 

 following an attack. 



THE SHADE TREE PROBLEM IN NEW YORK STATE 

 The value of a moderate number of trees along our streets is 

 questioned by no one, though judging from conditions prevalent 

 in many cities and villages of the State there is a distinct under- 

 standing on the part of abutting landowners that the trees after 

 being set must look out for themselves. The employees of tele- 

 phone and telegraph companies lop off limbs or heads with very 

 little regard to the injury inflicted, while ditches, run in our streets 

 for water, sewer, gas pipes and other purposes, destroy many of 

 the feeding roots. Electric currents from the wires overhead and 

 gas escaping from leaky pipes underground, all threaten the trees 

 with destruction. Waterproof concrete or other paving renders a 

 thrifty growth still more difficult, and the trees arc not helped 

 by the careless driver who allows his horse to gnaw the trunks 

 while no one protests. Bacterial and fungous diseases and injuri- 

 ous insects of one kind or another frequently multiply without 

 check and either lower the vitality of the tree, seriously deform 

 it or accomplish its destruction. 



Very few have an adequate idea of the value of shade trees. 

 Some prize a few highly while the majority are more or less indif- 

 ferent. Shade trees are valuable assets and add greatly to the 



