REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR 1923 By, 
generation, according to Mr Heinrich, and winters in cocoons in 
the ground under the infested trees. The adults fly in summer. 
Spraying is of very little value unless the work can be done early 
in the course of the infestation when the larvae are young and the 
nests are not well formed. After this time, it will probably be found 
necessary to cut and burn the infested twigs. 
European hornet (Vespa crabro L.) In October there 
was received from E. H. Costich of Hick’s Nurseries, Westbury, 
Long Island, specimens of this European hornet with samples of its 
injury to lilac and apple twigs. The damage was done on the place 
of Tracy H. Harris, who apparently is located in the vicinity of 
Westbury. On October 23d Mr Harris wrote that the European 
hornet had been a source of trouble to him at his Long Island home 
for several years. He stated that the hornets attacked the trunk 
of one of his large apple trees, gouging out holes in the bark about 
one-half inch in diameter and that apparently they fed upon the 
sap. According to Mr Harris, the hornets appeared along about 
the first of October and continued up until frost. In 1921 their nest 
was located in his garage, between the ceiling and the rafters, and 
he was unable to get at the nest without destroying the ceiling or 
the roof. Since then he has not been able to locate their nests. The 
most effective means of killing the pest seemed to be by the use of 
a heavy rubber fly swatter. Mr Harris stated that by this means he 
had killed at least 100 of the hornets within 2 weeks. 
Insect collection. The New York State Museum study collec- 
tion of insects now comprises the equivalent of about 1000 Schmitt 
boxes in addition to the Lintner collection and the Hill collection 
of moths and butterflies. This collection has been built up during 
the past 20 years by exchange and by active collecting by members 
of the office of the State Entomologist. Mr D. B. Young has un- 
doubtedly contributed more specimens to this collection than any 
other single individual. About 75 per cent of the insects are from 
various localities in New York State and since many of the groups 
have been named by specialists it is one of the most important col- 
lections of New York State insects in the country. Specialists, par- 
ticularly those in this State, should be encouraged to use it as a 
repository for duplicates of New York State insects, and many of 
them are coming to do so. 
The past year has seen important contributions to the general col- 
lection, both in specimens collected and in groups rearranged. The 
Associate and Assistant State Entomologists, with the active cooper- 
ation of Sherman C. Bishop, State Zoologist, and Professor C. R. 
