CHAPTER III. 



The Hessian Fly. 



Degree of attention excited liy this insect, 61.— Little that is new can be said about 

 it, 62. — Additional points in its history noticed in this essay, &o.— Origin oftlic 

 HesHan Fly, 64. — Importance of knowing whether it be a native or a foreigner, 

 64. — Australian wheat ravages in Canada, 65.— The Hessian fly, a European 

 insect, 67, 69. — Its progress on the American continent keeps pace with the 

 cultivation of vfheat, 68— Testimony of the Russian Entomologist, Mots- 

 chulskey, quoted by Dr. Asa Fitch and others, conclusive that the insect is of 

 European oroghi, Id.— History of its progress, in Lona Island, IN'ew York, 

 New England, Middle Atlantic States, whence it crossed the Alleghanies, ap- 

 peared in Lower Canada, in Mississippi valley, in North-western States of the 

 American LTnion, from 1776 to 1859, 71. Description of the Insect: the head 

 and thorax, 73.— Dr. Harris' description. Dr. Pitch's description of the female, 

 74.— The antennw, 74.— The ovipositor, 76.— The male Hessian fly, the antennie 

 and abdomen, 76. Habits of the Insect : Lays her eggs in autumn and in 

 spring, two broods each, 77.— Autumn brood, 78.— Maggots of the Hessian fly, 

 78.— Effects on the straw, 79, 80, 81, 82.— The underbill wheat, 82.— Injury to 

 the stem in the first instance, 84.— Change of maggot to pui)a, 85.— Flag-seed 

 state, 85, 86.— Dormant larvte, 87.— Pupa, 88.- Change to the fly, 88.— Wonder- 

 ful adaptation shown by the fly, 89.— Resistance of insects to cold, 90.— Illus- 

 trations of this, 91.— Second generation of the Hessian Fly, 92.— Gall fly 

 characteristic of the Hessian fly, 93. — Parasites, 94, 95, 96. — Parasites prey 

 upon the spring generation chiefly, 97. — Remedial 3Ieasures, 98, 99. — Enume- 

 ration of dift'erent remedial measures, a fertile soil, 101. — Vast crops of wheat 

 in Niagara County, N.Y., analysis of soil on which these extraordinary crops 

 were grown, 103. — Late sowing, 104 —Grazing, the roller, mowing, 104, 108. — 

 Fly proof, wheat so called, 108.— Undevhill wheat, Elima, Mediterranean, 

 white flint, Mr. R. Harmon's opinion of the white flint, 109.— Peculiarity in 

 the deterioration of wheats, 110.— Tillering of wheat, 111.— The Chidham 

 wheat, 112.— Early nob wheat, 113.— Steeps for the seed, 117.— Mr. Pell's steep 

 and success of, 115.— Steeps, experiment on, 116.— Steep for smut, proportions, 

 117, 118.— Oats as a decoy, wheat as a decoy, 118.— Deeply covering the seed, 

 119.— Proper depth for sowing, 119.— Pi-ocuring seed from uninfected districts, 

 120.— Sun drying the seed, 121.— Sprinkling salt, &c., 121.— Burning and plough- 

 ing up the wlieat stubble, 122. — General consideration of remedial measures^ 

 123.— Benefit of steeping wheat, 124.— ' Sow Late,' 125.— Spring wheat, 126 — 

 Fife wheat, 126.— The cause of the spread of the Hessian fly, 127.— Apparent 

 periodicity, 128. — Sudden increase in various insects, 129. — Cause of sudden 

 increase. Dr. Fitch's opinion, 130. — Cultivation of its favored foid without 

 rotation, 131. 



The Hessian Fly. 



(Cecidomyia Bestructor.) 

 61. The distinguished entomologist of the State of New 

 York, Dr. Asa Fitch, in a history of the character, transforma- 



