Injurious Insects. 151 



tudinal hooks, so common in Dipterous Zar^a, .but which are 

 absent in the Hessian fly larva. Again, in the stock which 

 ripens prematurely the slim, greenish maggot is always 

 found above the upper joint, and inside the straw, and 

 not on the lower joints inside the sheath. The pupa is 

 also easily distinguished from the puparium of the Hessian 

 fly. This has none of the seed-like appearance which gives 

 rise to the common name, flax-seed state, applied to the pu- 

 parium. The fly is also quite different. It is more the form 

 of the house fly, not slim like the mosquito, as is the Hes- 

 sian fly. Its antennaes are short, not long and slim. Its 

 body is conspicuously striped with three dark, longitudinal 

 bands, and its wings are straightened by four longitudinal 

 veins, with three cross veins. So we see a little observation 

 will quickly distinguish this insect from the other. I have 

 no doubt but that in many of our Northern States this pest 

 does very serious damage. 



Prof. Forbes recommends late sowing, the same that is 

 usually urged to defend against the Hessian fly, as the best 

 remedy against this bulb worm. He also says that quite 

 likely sowing spring wheat for a year might exterminate 

 this pest in any particular region where its ravages are 

 serious. 



I am inclined, from my observations, to recommend the 

 exact opposite for both these enemies. Early sowing, 

 with the best culture, and strongest growing varieties of 

 grain. In both cases it is the fall brood that does most in- 

 jury, and as all may observe, if the wheat is early and vigor- 

 ous, it will tiller out and often wholly recover from quite 

 serious attacks. Again, we cannot tell of a certainty that 

 either insect will ever come in numbers sufficiently large to 

 do damage. Though if the flies are abundant on the volun- 

 teer wheat in late August, we may expect them. If we 

 knew the insects would certainly come, the late sowing 

 might be wise. As the chances are that they will not, the 

 parasites and untoward fortune are usually too much for 

 them. I feel safest to work just as I should to get the best 

 crop irrespective of the insects, and in the large majority 

 of cases I win. So I urge you all to take hint from these 



