REPORT OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.

SIR: Having given, in my reports for 1864 and 1865, a history of the foundation and object of the museum connected with this department, there is little to be said in regard to it at present, further than that it has been steadily progressing in interest, and that specimens have been accumulating till no space is found in which to arrange or exhibit them. The design now is, as soon as proper facilities are provided, to extend the plan of the museum so as to embrace three distinct divisions-a general, an economic, and a State collection. This last will be of special interest to individuals, as it will represent the principal products peculiarly adapted to the soils and climate of different States, so that one may be compared with another at sight, and farmers may feel a State pride in sustaining the character of local contributions. This spirit has already manifested itself, to a considerable degree, even in the imperfect attempts at classification our limited room has permitted.

The general division will contain everything that can be collected of use or interest to the farmer, beginning with the seed or germ of agricultural products, and exhibiting them in all their progressive stages of manufacture, together with the latest information in regard to cultivation and the working up of the raw material. These two divisions, the State and general, will be confined to the productions and manufactures of our own country; the third, or economic, will be modelled in some measure upon that of the permanent exhibition of Algiers and the colonies in Paris, a very full description of which was given in my report of last year. It will comprise specimens of everything of commercial or agricultural value from all parts of the world, such as vegetable substances and their products, mineral substances and their products, and animals and animal manufactures, including oils, dyes, drugs, gums, cereals, fibres, woods, &c., &c., with references to works in the library containing a full account of their growth, habits, uses, and methods of manufacture. But as this subject will be more fully illustrated and explained hereafter, I shall now proceed to report, first, upon the special questions that have been referred to me as entomologist, and, secondly, upon the history and economy of insects in general.

A majority of the communications received during the year have been from the west, and the insects most generally complained of are the western potatobug, doryphora 10-lineata, and the Kansas or western grasshoppers. The potatobugs seem to have been particularly destructive in Iowa, and some complaints have also come from Kentucky, Illinois, and other western States. The best and surest remedy recommended is to shake or pick the insects from the plants into a tin pan, or other vessel, where they may be easily scalded or otherwise killed. The damage they have done appears to be greater in Iowa than elsewhere.

severe.

The ravages committed by the grasshoppers have been far more extensive and All the far western Territories have suffered much. From Kansas the complaint has been especially bitter. During a period of five months, in 1865, these pests covered the entire territory of Washington, Oregon, California, Utah, and New Mexico. Many communications have been received on the subject, and among them one from a committee of gentlemen in Miami county, Kansas, embodying the following questions, to which the succeeding reply was given:

"To the Hon. Commissioner of Agriculture:

"SIR: The grasshoppers, so called, that have overrun Kansas, have already destroyed the young winter wheat, and have honeycombed the fields with their nests and eggs, causing serious apprehension of future famine, should these eggs become living insects. They are probably the red-legged locusts. As almost total ignorance prevails in regard to their habits, we most respectfully ask such information as may be in possession of the department on the following points: "1. Will the eggs survive our winter? and if so,

"2. At what time do they hatch, and when will they become seriously destructive? and, in this connection,

"3. What crops may we expect to secure before that time arrives?

"4. When are they likely to leave, and what becomes of them? Remarking, incidentally, that while the late corn has been entirely stripped of its blades, the sorghum, though still green, remains untouched, we ask,

"5. Is it likely that the sorghum, or any other crop, will remain exempt from their ravages?

"Considering the great importance of this matter to the agriculturists of Kansas, we propose to procure the publication of your answer.”

Some specimens of the insects complained of accompanied this letter, to which the following reply was given:

"The 'locust' sent is almost, if not perfectly, identical with the Acridium (Caloptenus) femur rubrum, or red-legged locust of Harris, (p. 175,) and is a western variety, with longer wings, known as Caloptenus spretus by some entomologists. According to accounts given by some of our correspondents who have studied the habits of this insect, the eggs are deposited in the earth, and in the spring the greater number of these hatch, not into grubs, as many suppose, but into very minute grasshoppers, perfectly formed, like their parents, except that they have no wings whatever. In this stage they feed upon the herbage, and, being incapable of flight, cannot migrate far from where they were hatched. After some time they shed their skin and acquire rudimentary wings and wing covers, but are still unable to fly; and it is only in the last or perfect stage of their existence that the wings and wing cases are perfectly developed, and the insects are enabled to make long flights, to migrate in search of food, and to propagate their species.

"In answer to your queries

"1. It is most probable that the eggs will retain their vitality during the winter. "2. You may expect a majority of the eggs to hatch early in spring, and from the day they hatch till they have migrated and deposited their eggs, they will destroy the crops, especially in the localities where they are undergoing their transformations and acquiring wings.

"3. No crop is safe from their attacks. Even tobacco is devoured by them, particularly when other green crops have been destroyed. It is stated by some that sorgho is an exception, and that it is not touched by them; by others this is contradicted.

"4. They will not leave the neighborhood where hatched until they have acquired wings, when most of them will probably migrate in search of fresh food. "5. From present knowledge we cannot say certainly whether the sorgho will escape their attacks or not, nor, if it does, can we give the reason why.

"Fall and winter ploughing are recommended for disturbing and destroying the eggs; also, firing the grass when the young locusts are wingless and cannot escape, or rolling the land when they are first hatched, and are not as agile as when more fully grown."

Since the above correspondence transpired letters have been received stating that in many localities of very extensive range "the ground is so covered with grasshopper eggs it looks as if bushels of rice had been strewn over it, and every mild day thousands of the young insects may be seen, but so minute at

first as to be scarcely observable. In all probability the country will suffer greatly from their ravages."

In connection with this subject may be mentioned the following facts in regard to the Cicada septendecim, or seventeen-year locusts, as furnished by a correspondent in Johnstown, Pennsylvania:

"In a certain district east of the summit of the Alleghany mountains, the seventeen-year locusts appeared in 1834 and in 1851, and consequently may be expected again in 1868. In another district, west of the summit of the Laurel Hill, they were up in 1849, and again this season, 1866. In 1849 they appeared about the middle of May, but this year not until the first of June. Their period of open-air existence is about forty-two days, during which time their eggs are deposited. They inflict great injury on trees by depositing their eggs in the young and growing branches, which they pierce for that purpose. The branches thus injured always die. A very remarkable circumstance connected with their appearance is, that the valley between the summit of the Alleghany mountains and the Laurel Hill is free from their visitation."

A fruit grower in Grayson county, Virginia, says of the common rose bug, (Macrodactylus subspinosus :) “This is the third year that they have appeared in such immense numbers. Last year my entire crop of apples was destroyed by them. They cluster upon the young apple and destroy it when about the size of a strawberry. I have grapevines of the Isabella, Concord, and Diana varieties, and not a bunch do these insects leave me. Raspberries are not spared, and roses are totally eaten up by them. They come about the last of May and disappear towards the end of June. Millions of them may be seen on an apple tree, and they are like swarms of bees in the air."

A history of these insects and the remedies will be found in our report for 1863. A brief synopsis of a portion of the correspondence received during the two or three months when insects are most numerous may be interesting, as showing the localities visited and the damage done or in prospect. To give all, or even to refer to all, would occupy more room than is allowed for this report. And here let us again urge those writing about the depredations of insects to send specimens, safely secured in small boxes, or otherwise; they will come free of postage, and we shall then be able to identify them and give their true names, which no amount of crude descriptions will enable us to do. In consequence of the very limited dissemination of entomological knowledge among the mass of farmers, great confusion exists as to names and characters of common insects; and such a plan as this would not only do much towards remedying it, but also prove highly interesting and beneficial to agricultural communities. The notes referred to are as follows:

Denton county, Maryland.-Wheat attacked by the fly and joint-worm. Newcastle county, Delaware.-Wheat taken almost wholesale by the fly when the use of phosphates is omitted, even though the ground is otherwise good. Centre county, Pennsylvania.-The caterpillar (probably Clisiocampa Americana-Harris) has been very destructive to fruit trees.

Suffolk county, Massachusetts.—No apples, on account of the canker-worm. Adams county, Ohio.-The Hessian fly commenced its ravages on wheat May 30.

Wells county, Indiana.-Wheat injured by a small worm.

Lehigh county, Pennsylvania.-Legions of caterpillars (probably Clisiocampa Americana) made their appearance, entirely devouring leaves and blossoms on

some trees.

Door county, Wisconsin.-No turnip seed; grasshoppers cut off our entire crop, seeds and all, last year.

Perry county, Pennsylvania.-Peach trees on the de ine. They grow and begin to bear, then dry away and die. The worms (Trochilium or Egeria exitosa) kill many of them, but some die without any apparent cause.

Kent county, Maryland.-Wheat much ravaged by the midge, or Hessian fly. "Van Buren county, Michigan.—Wheat on the openings troubled with the Hessian fly.

Sarpy county, Nebraska.-The tent caterpillar not so numerous as for the last three years. The potato bugs (Doryphora 10-lineata, or ten-lined spearman) ap pearing a soft, red, filthy-looking bug when growing; hard-shelled, striped when grown, a little oval, and about one-third inch in diameter. Remedy: knock them off and scald, burn, or soap them. Worse on white neshannock than others.

Trimble county, Kentucky.-The tobacco-worm is the most formidable enemy of the weed, and this season many planters in this county have administered poison to the fly which lays the eggs. A few drops of ratsbane or other poison in a liquid form are put into the flower of the Jamestown weed, wild morningglory, &c., into which they are sure to insert their long sucking tubes and die almost instantly. With the death of each fly or miller, three to five hundred eggs are destroyed, each of which would produce a worm.

Hardin county, Kentucky.-Late potatoes injured by drought and the bugs. Jackson county, Florida.-The caterpillar appeared in the cotton-fields—too late, however, to do much damage this season-doubtless the Noctua (anomis) xylina of Say.

Jackson county, Illinois.-To get rid of the aphis or plant louse on cabbage, after the louse makes its appearance pull off a waste leaf and turn it upside down on the cabbage that is lousy. Early next morning the lice will be collected in great numbers on the under side of the leaf. Repeat the operation till all are caught.

Woodford county, Illinois.-Potatoes have been damaged to some extent by a beetle never seen here before the present season; it is about one-third of an inch in length, and has ten pale yellow and black longitudinal lines upon its backprobably Doryphora 10-lineata.

Huntington county, Indiana.—Wheat damaged by the weevil-probably the wheat midge.

Madison parish, Louisiana.-The cotton army-worm reported to have made its appearance-Noctua xylina of Say.

Allegan county, Michigan.-"The plum curculio has been destructive upon peaches. Many orchards are entirely stripped. We have also a blight among the apple trees, which, I think, must be the 'insect pear blight' described by Downing. It seems to be general."

Ingham county, Michigan.-The large, white grub-worm-probably the larvæ of some species of beetle-has done much damage to our pastures and meadows, and corn and potato crops-doubtless larvæ of the May-bug or beetle Lachnosterna. Indiana county, Pennsylvania.-Potatoes injured by bugs-probably Lytta. Hamilton county, Tennessee.-The cut-worms very destructive to late cornprobably caterpillar of an Agrotis.

De Witt county, Texas.-"The last few days exhibit the worm, which may or may not prove fatal to a large yield of cotton."-Noctua rylina of Say. Hardin county, Texas.-The cotton army-worm appeared in some places about August 12.

Goliad county, Texas.-"The caterpillar is now damaging the cotton very much, and it is feared that at least nine-tenths of the crop will be destroyed." Winnebago county, Illinois.-The potato crop has been injured by the bug in some places, while the rot has damaged it generally-probably Doryphora 10lineata.

Green county, Alabama.-The planters' prospects are gloomy indeed. The boll-worm (Heliothis armigera) and caterpillar (Anomis rylina) have nearly ruined the crop.

Washington county, Mississippi.-The cotton crop is damaged by the army

Worm.

Yalabusha county, Mississippi.-"This season has been the most remarkable one in the memory of our planters. All crops have failed more or less. The boll-worm and cotton caterpillar have done much injury."

Tensas parish, Louisiana.-The second crop of cotton caterpillars (Anomis rylina) commenced their ravages about the 5th of September, and by the 15th the entire crop of the county was stripped of its leaves.

Atchison, Kansas.-"On the 11th of September we were visited by an innumerable host of grasshoppers, which are now devouring everything that remains green. Our late corn, our late potatoes, our young wheat crop, and our garden vegetables are being consumed. Last year they destroyed the crops of Colorado, and this spring those of Montana, the grasshoppers in each case having made their appearance the fall previously. In the month of May or first of June these grasshoppers were at Junction, about 300 miles west of Fort Kearney. On the 1st of October they reached Fort Kearney. On the 1st of September they were in Riley county, 100 miles west of Atchison. They move in a direction south of east."

Conejos county, Colorado.-"In June there appeared millions of grasshoppers in this valley, threatening, in some districts, to destroy all vegetation, but before they could spread over the entire country a green fly made its appearance, which truly proved our salvation. As I found upon close examination, these flies deposited their eggs in the joint or neck of the grasshoppers, which, after two weeks' time, caused their death. The same examination was made by the military officers at Fort Garland, with like results." A request was made that specimens of these "green flies" should be sent to the department for examination; but as yet none have been received, so that it cannot be positively known whether they are parasites which will eventually prove a check to the grasshopper.

Letters from Wisconsin gave accounts of the ravages of cut-worms and grasshoppers in that State.

A New Jersey correspondent refers to the tree caterpillars as entirely destroying orchards in his vicinity, and remarks that, "owing to dense ignorance among the people, no attempt is made to prevent them except when, as larvæ, they are committing their ravages, and even then some of the pious will turn up their eyes and talk about the things as a 'plague sent by Providence.""

INSECTS AND THEIR USES.

Some people look upon all insects as injurious, while the truth is that many of them are the best friends the farmer has, and instead of preying upon his crops they are busily employed during their brief existence in ridding his fields, orchards, and gardens of other insects which are really destructive. It is, therefore, of the greatest consequence to be able to discriminate between friends and foes to know which to kill and which to spare. Also, in the economy of nature, insects are of great importance as food for birds, fish, and animals, which in their turn become food for man. The caterpillar is devoured by the carabus or an ichneumon fly; these are eaten by insectivorous birds, which either serve es as food or enliven our gardens and groves with their melodious songs. Without insects these birds could not exist, and, although they are not absolutely necessary to human existence, it must be acknowledged we should miss their songs and their cheering presence.

Fishes also live almost altogether on animal food. The gnat or mosquito is taken from the surface of the water by the minnow, and this in turn is swallowed by some trout or pickerel, which next makes its appearance as a great delicacy upon our table. Several animals eat insects, and, as will subsequently be shown, man himself has been glad to accept them as an article of diet, both in the Old World and the New. Insects are also of great use in the fructification of plants and trees by conveying the pollen from one flower to another, especially where