VI 
PREFACE. 
My own part of the work has been correspondence on the 
subject; identifications of the insects ; including in difficult cases 
reference to entomological specialists, from whom I have never 
failed to receive kind assistance; and yearly arrangement of 
information received, with additions of accounts of life-history 
and habits, and also figures of the insects, often drawn expressly 
for the purpose; and also additional accounts of means of pre¬ 
vention and remedy where these were desirable and attainable, 
and issue of these in form of an Annual Report, of which 
acceptance of copies was requested of contributors and colleagues. 
The following list gives a few short notes as to insect infesta¬ 
tions which have been more especially reported on in the course 
of the series, either on account of unusually great prevalence in 
the year referred to, or because of their being customary farm 
troubles of serious importance ; or, in some instances, on account 
of their presence in this country as farm pests not having been 
previously recorded. The year of Annual Report, and reference 
to pages, are appended to each note :— 
Silver Y-Moth, Plusia gamma. —Great infestation of this moth, 
beginning early in June, from swarms which had been traced across 
the Continent, starting from the north-west of Africa in April ; dates 
and localities of advance given. Threatened mischief from the de¬ 
structive caterpillars stopped near Maldon, in Essex, by persistent 
downpour of rain (1879, pp. 4, 5). 
“Turnip Fly” or “Flea Beetle,” Phyllotreta nemorum , and other 
species.—The year 1881 was remarkable for the prevalence of “ Turnip 
Fly” in twenty-two counties of England, and eleven in Scotland. 
The loss by calculation of cost of seed, and cultivation for successive 
resowings on area of acreage estimated to be infested, at lowest 
calculation £508,952, irrespective of consequent losses by depreciation 
of stock (1881, pp. 47-97). 
Wireworm, grub of Click Beetle, Elater (Agriotes) lineatus , and 
other species.—Estimates of losses caused by attack; measures of 
prevention by treatment of pastures before breaking up, also of culti¬ 
vation, dressings, and remedial treatment generally to check or lessen 
loss from attack (1882, pp. 22-63). 
“ Antler Moth,” Charceas graminis. —Outbreak of caterpillars on 
grass and plants on an area of ten miles (from east to west) of the 
Glamorganshire mountains (1884, pp. 15-18); also on grass of seven 
of the counties in the south of Scotland, doing great harm in hill 
pastures (1894, pp. 12-23). 
First report on Ox Warble (1884, pp. 101-122). 
“Hessian Fly,” Cecidomyia destructor , first appearance of, as a 
corn pest in this country. My own examination of the infested Barley 
near Hertford, and identification of the fly from specimens reared by 
myself from the infested stems, with confirmation of my determination 
by British and American entomologists (1886, pp. 10-26; and 
Appendix pp. 101-105). Also in the following year, accompanying 
