i6 



NliW \n\iK STATI-: MLS1:L'.M 



count of injuries inrtictcd upon early Moore grapes. One acre of 

 this variety, belonging to ]\Ir H. L. Cumniing of Fredonia. had 6o 

 to /S'^ of the blossoms destroyed by this midge. Investigations by 

 the writer last June showed that the insect was generally dis- 

 tributed, even in extensive vineyards, throughout the grape belt, 

 being observed from Fredonia westwarcl to Ripley, while Mr Fred 

 Johnson recorded its occurrence at North East, Pa. The injury 

 resulting from the attack of this insect simply causes the destruc- 

 tion of infested blossom buds. There was some complaint of 

 grape clusters being unusually oi>en and irregular during 1908, and 

 as this midge was abnormally abundant, it was undoubtedly a fac- 

 tor in the production of light bunches. Furthermore, it is probable 

 that some of the mysterious failures of the grape crop in restricted 

 areas may be attributed to the work of this species. An examina- 

 tion of grapevines in the vicinity of Albany and at Nassau, N. Y. 

 failed to reveal any signs of this insect's work. 



Description. The presence of this enemy in a vineyard is easily 

 recDiiiiized. The infested blossom buds remain closed and are con- 

 spicuous on account of their abnormal size. They are about % 

 of an inch in length and usually Jonger than broad. They vary in 

 color from the nearly normal green to a variable red tmted extrem- 

 ity. The actual presence of the destructive yellowish maggots is 

 easily demonstrated by opening a bud. Seven to eight or ten larvae 

 may occur in one blossom bud. The affected buds remain on the 

 vines only a short time, dropping within a few days to a week after 

 the injury becomes noticeable. 



Larva. The pale yellowish or whitish maggot or larva is about 



1/12 of an inch long and may be easily recog- 

 nized by the presence of a somewhat charac- 

 teristic, brownish, forked breastbone near the 

 anterior extremity. The younger maggots 

 are whitish, becoming lemon-yellow upon at- 

 taining full growth. The maggots, together 

 with those of related species, have a peculiar 

 method of locomotion. The extremities are 

 brought together and then suddenly released. 

 The movement frequently results in throwing 

 distance several times its own 



■:'&',* 



Fig. 3 Maggot of grape 

 blossom midge', breast- 

 bone greatly enlarged. 

 (Original) 



the maggot a 

 length. 



Fly. The parent insect is an extremely delicate, pale yellowish 

 fl.y only about 1/25 of an inch long. The male is easily recog- 



