THE WHEAT MIDGE. 85 



deserving they are of most careful study over the wide areas on 

 this continent where wheat is cultivated. 



1856. 



144. Wheat fly common on the lake shore counties west of 

 Toronto. Committed excessive ravages in the counties bordering 

 on the Niagara River. Estimated loss in Canada from the wheat 

 fly in 1856 probably exceeds 5^2,500,000. Made its first appear- 

 ance in the county of Middlesex, C. W, General but not de- 

 structive along the Detroit River. County of Wellington affect- 

 ed. Common in the county of Peterborough. Common in 

 parts of Maine. Destructive in County of Saguenay, L. C. In 

 the township of Thorah, C. W., hitherto considered altogether 

 free from all insect wheat pest, except "grasshoppers ;" in some 

 instances the top kernels of wheat were found partially attacked 

 by a "small light brown worm, with a black head," thought to 

 be the "weevil." The intervention of a thunder shower pre- 

 served the infested ears. AVhether this insect be the larvae of 

 the midge, is quite uncertain, and a notice of it is introduced to 

 show that even so far north and east, as the Townships of 

 Saguenay and Thorah, the midge, or another wheat depredator, 

 is attracting attention, and perhaps silently establishing a home. 



Description of the Wheat Midge. 



145. A small orange-colored fly, (or flies, as there are several 

 species,) with delicate, transparent, irridescent wings, and long 

 slender legs. The length of this insect is about the tenth of an 

 inch, rather less than more ; the breadth of its expanded wings 

 slightly exceeds the tenth of an inch. A good magnifying glass 

 is required in order to distinguish the following particulars. 



The Clear-Winged Wheat Midge. 



146. The eyes of the female (Fig. I) clear-winged wheat 



