9 
on the larvae of some of the groups, as will be seen by reference to 
the descriptive catalogue of larvae. 
In order to render this practically useful, I have avoided, as far 
as possible, technical language, have made use of the most promi¬ 
nent and easily understood characters in descriptions ; have referred, 
as far as possible, to the more easily observed habits, to the plants 
and parts of plants to which their injuries are confined. To aid in 
determining species, I have not only prepared synoptical tables in 
plain language, but have given a list of plants, with the names of 
species preying on them. 
You will see from this that my object has been to make this 
report useful even to the most unscientific farmer. Some technical 
terms have been retained, because it is impossible to be exact and 
entirely dispense with them; but most if not all of these are ex¬ 
plained. 
There may be a disposition on the part of some to complain that 
in this part of my report I have limited myself too strictly to 
descriptions of the larvae, where fuller statements in reference to the 
history and habits would have been more interesting. Had I 
attempted this, the chief object in view—to give as complete synopsis 
of injurious insects found in Illinois as possible—would have been 
defeated, as the space allowed me would have been wholly insuffi¬ 
cient. 1 had, therefore, to carry out my plan as I have done, or 
else wholly abandon it, which I did not wish to do, as the work is 
one greatly needed. 
Believing it important to devote attention each year to one or more 
of the notedly injurious species, as circumstances may favor further 
study of them, I have adopted this plan for the past three years, 
and continued it the present year. Thus, a considerable portion of 
my second report is devoted to a discussion of the history, habits, 
characters of, and best remedies for the Chinch-bug; my third is 
devoted entirely to the Plant-lice, which at times develop in such 
vast numbers as to become very injurious; my fourth contains a 
lengthy discussion of the characteristics, history, habits of, etc., and 
remedies for the European Cabbage-worm. 
In the report now presented I have discussed at considerable 
length some of the more important points in the history and habits 
of the Army-worm, with a view of arriving at the best practical 
remedy. The appearance of this species in vast numbers during 
the past summer, in the regions of Long Island Sound, brought it 
into prominent notice, and drew from two of our leading entomol¬ 
ogists articles in reference to it. 
The habits and characters of this species were very fully dis¬ 
cussed by Mr. Walsh and myself in the Prairie Farmer in 1861, 
and Mr. Walsh’s first report devotes a long article to the species; 
but these are not now obtainable; in fact, the recent articles just 
referred to apparently overlook these discussions and the facts then 
made known. On this account, and because of the importance of 
the subject, and the data obtained since 1861 in reference to the 
species, I selected it as one of the most notedly injurious insects 
to receive attention during the past year. 
i 
