37 



and "flax-seed," in vials of alcohol, which notes as to the date when found, and full 

 information as to the insect enemies and parasites. 



The Wheat Midge is apt to be confounded with the Hessian Fly. It is a small, 

 mosquito-like fly, orange yeUov), with clear wings, which hovers over fields of young 

 wheat in June. It attacks the heads of the wlieat, laying its eggs when the wheat is in 

 blossom. On hatching, the maggots crowd around the young kernels of wheat, causing 

 them to become shrivelled. The maggots in July and August descend into the ground, 

 spinning a round cocoon smaller than a mustard seed, remaining an inch below the 

 surface till the following June. 



Information regarding the following topics is respectfully solicited ; to be forwarded 

 at the close of the season : 



1. When, where, and how are the eggs deposited? 



2. When does the maggot appear ? 



3. When is the " flax seed" state of the Hessian Fly, or the seed-like cocoons of the 

 Wheat Midge assumed ? 



4. At what date do the Midges appear in spring and autumn 1 



5. Look for minute parasites in the eggs and maggots. They may be bred by 

 placing the eggs and maggots with the wheat in bottles covered with gauze, and the 

 parasitic flies preserved in vials of alcohol, 



6. Give statistics as to abundance and losses in your town. 



7. State the best preventive remedies, as deep ploughing or burning in the fall, or 

 the rotation of crops. 



Specimens of wheat aSected by these insects, and of the eggs, maggots and flies, 

 together with their parasites, in alcohol, are requested. When mailed, the alcohol can 

 J)e poured out, and cotton soaked in alcohol will keep the specimens wet until received. 

 Packed in a tin box they can be sent through the mail. Address as below. 



Respectfully yours, 



A. S. Packard, Jr., Providence, R.I. 



CANADIAN CUT-WORMS. 



By G. J. Bowles, Montreal. 



The term " Cut-worm" is popularly applied to certain caterpillars or larvfe which 

 have the habit of cutting the stems of young plants, either just above or just below the 

 surface of the ground. The name is also often given to the larva of the May-beetle, (the 

 " white grub,") and to wire-worms, tfec. ; but it is especially appropriate to tlie caterpillars 

 of some of the night moths belonging to the genera Agrotis, lladena, Mamestra, kc, which 

 are noted for the destructive habit above referred to. 



In Europe there are many species of these insects, which at times prove very injurious 

 to vegetation. Some despoil the fields of wheat and other grains, others attack the vine- 

 yards, others again devastate the meadows, while others do great damage to root crops 

 and garden vegetables. These belong principally to the genus Agrotis, and in the same 

 genus ai-e placed several of the American moths which produce our cut-worms. 



The natural history of these worms is thus given by Mr. Riley, in his first Report, 

 (Missouri) : 



" The parent moth attaches her eggs to some substance near the ground, or deposits 

 them on plants, mostly during the latter part of summer, though occasionally in the 

 spring of the year. Those which are deposited during late summei% hatch early in the 

 fall, and the young worms, crawling into the ground, feed upon the tender roots and 

 shoots of herbaceous plants. At this time of the year, the worms being small and their 

 food plentiful, the damage they do is seldom noticed. On the approach of winter they 

 are usually about two-thirds grown, when they descend deeper into the ground, and, 



