HOP CUCKOO FLY. 127 



wings are formed), in the act of taking one of its tremendous 

 leaps, with its long legs flying out far behind. 



Hop Frog Fly, and early stage of the same, mag., and lines showing nat. size. 



The colour is yellow, variously marked, or banded with 

 dark brown or black, and the upper wings, although differ- 

 ently marked in various specimens, have commonly a long 

 triangular brown mark from the tip to the centre, and 

 another brown marking running along the hinder edge. The 

 abdomen of the female is furnished with a long fairly strong 

 ovipositor. The young " Cuckoos " were first observed at the 

 base of the plant, as tiny things no bigger than a Hop-louse. 

 In another year they were also noted as being found first in 

 the base of the plants close to the ground, amongst the super- 

 fluous bines which are neglected by the tyers and allowed to 

 trail on the ground. The earliest date of appearance given 

 was some time preceding the 20th of May. 



They were found in young state on the Hops in the early 

 summer, and judging from the specimens sent, both from 

 Kent and Hants, all or the chief part of the " Cuckoos " had 

 gone through their various stages, and developed to the 

 perfect winged insect by the end of July, when their cast skins 

 were to be found in great numbers beneath the Hop-leaves. 



By examination of the female I found eggs apparently 

 quite fully formed; these were cylindrical, long, narrow, 

 bluntly pointed at each end and white, and were very few in 

 number ; I think not more than four or five. 



At this date, that is when the insects were fully developed, 

 the attack rapidly diminished, and no recurrence was re- 

 ported, but as yet no observations have been attainable, nor 

 have I been able to find any in such work as I have access to, 

 as to where the eggs are laid. 



Prevention and Kemedies. — The damage caused by the 

 "Cuckoos" in their various stages, is by reason of their 



