OF INJURIOUS INSECTS. 
3 
Amongst the Lepidoptera some of the injurious kinds have been 
excessively plentiful in various localities, as also the surface caterpillars. 
Amongst. Coleoptera the weevils of various species have not failed us, 
neither have the injurious Diptera. The Crane Fly larvae have fairly 
ravaged various localities, and the Carrot Fly and Celery Fly have 
played their part, whilst the Onion Fly has- been particularly 
hurtful in the Isle of Mull. Great injury in many places from 
the Gooseberry Sawfly, and locally from other species, as also the 
appearance of Cynips Kollari, “ like a scourge,” at the Glen, Tipperary, 
and (though Wasps and Honey Bees appear to have been respectively 
less present or less productive than usual) the great abundance of 
some species of Humble Bees in the spring, show that the Hymenoptera 
survived; and on the whole it certainly cannot be said that the cold 
of last winter has diminished the amount of insect presence in the 
summer. 
Before giving the year's notes it now remains for me to offer, on 
the part of my colleagues and myself, our hearty thanks to our 
contributors. In the full conviction that such information cannot fail 
to be of general service, we feel much indebted to those who allow us 
to be the means of making it known. 
For the coming year it is with-great pleasure that I am able to 
say that, besides many of our original observers, many have come 
forward, especially in Scotland, amongst the leading foresters and 
horticulturists, who are well qualified to bestow sound information, 
and have promised their contributions. Any notes, whether as to 
amount of insect injury, estimated loss (pecuniarily) from this cause, 
and, most especially, remedies found of practical use in checking it; 
also any notes of coincident circumstances, such as of weather 
influences, or surroundings, or state of the soil, which may increase or 
diminish insect attack, will all be of service, and gratefully received. 
Even the shortest notes, possibly thought of little use by the observers 
themselves, are of value when collated with others; and I should be 
glad to draw attention to the importance of noting down the 
observations when they occur : such incidents as the first appearance 
of the insects, the date at which they are most numerous, and their 
disappearance, are very apt to slip from the memory if not noted at 
the time. 
With the Report of this year a new observation sheet is forwarded 
to the contributors, in which many additional insects are recommended 
for observation, but all in the strict sense of the term injurious, and 
for convenience of reference are arranged under the heads of the crops 
which they most commonly attack. The numbering of the list being 
