82 E. A. OEMEEOD INSECTS OBSERVED IN 1881. 



Going a little over the Hertfordshire border to the rich gardening 

 district of Sandy near Biggleswade, serious damage (and to a much 

 greater extent than is usual) was caused by the larvae of Atdhomyia 

 {ceparum ?), the onion-maggot, to the onion crops which are grown 

 largely in that neighbourhood. 



Cecidomyia Tritici, or the wheat-midge, was seen swarming in 

 chaff near Knob worth at the end of June, and its larvae known as 

 " red maggots" did an appreciable amount of mischief. 



Turnip-Hy — scientifically Phyllotreta, and where identified, of the 

 species undulaia — is recorded by the observer as having done 

 greater damage than he had ever known in pre\'ious years, owing 

 greatly to the dry weather which did not allow the plants to grow 

 away from the attack ; that is, they could not grow quickly enough 

 to counterbalance the injury caused by the ravenous feeding of the 

 "fly" or flea-beetle. 



Agrotis segetum, or the turnip-moth, was also present and did 

 considerable injury by means of its caterpillars to the turnip crops. 



Other insects are mentioned, but the information being already 

 published, I have only given some points to show the amount 

 of injury going on around us and the great benefit that would 

 ensue by any information being contributed that would bear 

 directly on the subject, in addition to the notes of general entomo- 

 logical interest already requested from observers. 



