Entomological Notes. 



333 



and lead to general, concerted action, and to the use of more effi- 

 cient means for the preservation of our crops. 



Hessian Fly — • Cecidomyia Destructor. The first serious ob- 

 stacle to successful wheat culture in this state was the advent 

 of this pest, which made its appearance in sufficient numbers to 

 attract attention, in 1842. So rapidly did it spread that in 1846, 

 it extended quite generally over the southern portion of the state, 

 and in such numbers as to seriously injure the crop that year. It 

 also made its appearance the following years, and became so de- 

 structive as to compel a general abandonment of raising winter 

 wheat for a time. Spring wheat was then quite largely raised — 

 in fact, almost exclusively — until the chinch bug appeared on 

 the field. By giving up the cultivation of winter wheat, the Hes- 

 sian Fly was, to all appearances, exterminated, but on the resump- 

 tion of fall seeding, it soon returned in great numbers, and in 

 occasional seasons did great damage. The loss they have caused 

 has been very great, but their appearance cannot be regarded as 

 an unmitigated evil, for they have driven our farmers to give up 

 exclusive wheat culture, and resort to diversified farming, and if 

 now we can discover when the foe will attack us, and are pre- 

 pared to rout his forces, positive good will come out of the evil. 

 Their introduction into this country, like that of the chinch bug, 

 is charged to the mercenary allies which England employed to 

 subdue her revolted colonies. The insect was first noticed on Long 

 Island, in the year 1776, and was called Hessian Fly, on account 



of its supposed origin. 

 Though tiny in form, and 

 "defenseless against the 

 least enemy, crushed by 

 the most delicate touch," 

 it has proved a more seri- 

 ous foe than the troops 

 whose name it bears, and 

 is estimated to yearly oc- 

 casion more damage to this 

 country than the whole 

 cost of the Revolutionary 

 War. A good example, 



Fig. 24. The Hessian Fly. 



