INSECT PEST S U E V E ? BULLETIN 
Vol. 6 Summary for 1926 Ho. 10 
INTRODUCTION 
A summary of the insect conditions for the year 1921 was published 
as a Departmental Bulletin (U. S* D* A. Bulletin 1103). It was proposed 
at that time to make this an annual feature, "but owing to the rapid growth 
of the survey work it was found impracticable to continue this feature. The 
demand, how ever, for this type of annual summary makes it desirable that each 
year r s entomological activities be reviewed by the Survey, We feel that the 
present departure ifi issuing a 10th number to the annual volume of the Insect 
Pest Survey will meet this Requirement most satisfactorily* 
Nc considerable space was devoted to those introduced insects which 
are the subjects of special investigations, as these are covered in annual 
summaries from the offices in charge of these activities. 
GENERAL PESTS 
T^e most striking entomological feature of the year 1926 was the 
widespread and destructive abundance of several species of cutworms. The late 
spring was very probably responsible for the continued depredations of these 
insects. The army cutworm ( Chorizagrotis auxiliaris Grote) appeared in des- 
tructive numbers in March in parts of Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. During 
April this cutworm did very considerable damage to wheat and alfalfa. Similar 
reports of injury by cutworms early in the season were received from the south- 
eastern and Gulf States. In Hay a very unusual outbreak of the variegated 
cutworm ( Lycopho tia margaritosa var. saucia Hbn. ) was reported from the Gulf 
region of Mississippi and Texas. Deppedations of cutworms continued through- 
out early June, particularly in the Ohio and upper Mississippi River Valleys, 
and the damage extended into early July, when the red-. backed cutworm ( guxoa 
pc hroaaster Gn.), the pale western cutworm ( Porosagro . tis orthoaonia Morr, ), 
the early cutworm ( Euxoa t risticula Morr. ), and Boxoa esc ell ens Grt. t were 
reported as the most important insects of the season in Saskatchewan, Alberta, 
British Columbia, Manitoba, and southern Ontario. 
CEREAL AND FORAGE CROP INSECTS ■ 
The late fall and winter surveys of 1925-26 indicated that the Hessian 
fly was at a very low stage of its abundance in the Middle Atlantic and South- 
Central States, as well as "in the Lake region, with the possible exception of 
Illinois. This low ebb seemed to extend southward through Missouri and westward 
to Nebraska and South Dakota. The situation in Kansas, however, appeared 
much more critical, while on the Pacific Coast the conditions of the East 
were repeated. As the season advanced the forecast was, in general, borne 
out, but little commercial damage being reported from any part of the wheat 
belt except Kansas u During July, however, the fly was observed to be decidedly 
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