98 THE REPOET OF THE No. 36 



dividual produced a fly on September 6th^ thus adding more evidence to the 

 probability of the species having a very similar life cycle to that which it has 

 in the east, instead of being, as was formerly supposed, single brooded. Much 

 more evidence is required, however, before this point can be settled definitely. 

 Incidentally it may be mentioned that, according to the Alberta Department of 

 Agriculture, quite extensive injury was done to winter wheat in that Province 

 this season, and as no knowledge of its life history is available in those parts, and 

 consequently as no precaution are taken in sowing wheat to escape this fly, it 

 would' not be surprising if a very severe outbreak occurred there at any time. 



In Manitoba, at least half a dozen points reported Hessian Fly damage, but 

 doubtless some of this, at least, are referable to other insects. 



Greater Wheat-stem Maggot. This insect was present at usual in fair numbers 

 but occurred more plentifully in native grasses than in growing grains. Adults of 

 this species can be collected as a rule, from May to the middle of September. 



Small Wheat-stem Maggot. A species that I expect to be Oscinis soror, 

 but have not been able to get identified,* was present in considerable numbers early 

 in the season, and did extensive injury to spring wheat, often giving whole fields 

 a patchy appearance, and in spots killing out fully half the plants — killing them 

 so completely, too, that viewed from a distance the patchyness of fields gave the 

 impression of the grain having failed to germinate.. And as a matter of fact, 

 a few farmers thought this was the cause. Later, in June and July, another 

 generation occurred and I found them to be quite plentiful both in the larval and 

 pupal stages at or near the bases of wheat plants. Many of the side shoots 

 (stools) thought to be killed by the combination of heat and drought were in 

 reality destroyed by the maggots of that fiy. Pupae collected on July 13 produced 

 adults from July 19 to the 27th. So there would be another brood before winter 

 set in — probably in volunteer wheat and such native grasses as were within reason- 

 able distance. 



Western" Wheat-stem Sav7fly (Cephiis occidentalis). This sawfly was 

 again very troublesome and appears to have been quite widely spread over the 

 Province. Wheat and rye suffered in equal proportions and in some instances 

 round the edges of fields there was a loss of fully 75 per cent., the injury extending 

 into the grain for several hundred feet, though gradually getting less severe 

 towards the centre of fields. 



Deep ploughing, not less than six inches, if done in the fall, appears to be 

 enough to prevent the flies emerging next June. It is also effective in the spring 

 if packed afterwards, ioose shallow spring ploughing is, however, quite valueless. 

 Grasshoppers. We had another rather severe outbreak of these insects, June 

 and early July being particularly favorable in weather conditions for their depreda- 

 tions. They were also proserin in damaging numbers in other districts. They 

 were, however, in most instances kept within reasonable bounds by means of 

 horse droppings, salt and paris green and the only real injury here was done 

 after they could fly when scattered through the crop they attacked the heads ef 

 all kinds of grain They also did some injury by gnawing through binder twine 

 used to tie sheaves. Cool wet weather in July and August had, however, a 

 marked effect upon them. To begin with those adverse conditi«ns prevented the 

 usual migratory movements by means of which they are distributed over the 



•Through the kindness of Mr. J. W. Johnson this species has been determined as 

 Oscinis carbonaria. C. G. H. 



