CHAPTER V. 



The Wlieat Stem Fly, and other Depredators. 



Wheat stem fly, 168.— Origin of its name, 169.— Probably not identified on this con- 

 tinent, 168.— Description of the wheat stem fly, 169.— The American Meromyza, 

 170.— The Obese Siphonella, 171. — Habits of the insect. 172. — The common 

 chlorops, 173.— The feathered horned chlorops. 174.— The shank-banded oscinis, 

 175. — The yellow-hipped oscinis, 176.— The thick-legged oscinis, 177.— The de- 

 ceiving wheat fly, 178. — The similar wheat fly, 179. — The wheat mow fly, 180. 

 The wheat thrips— the three-banded thrips, 181.— Gay lord's grain worm, 182. 

 —The wire worm, 183.— The larva, 184.— The pupa, 185.— The perfect insect. 

 187.— Remedial measures— ammonia, 188.— Sir Joseph Bank's remedy, 189.— 

 The Hon. A. B. Dickenson's remedy, 189(a). 



168. The Wheat-Stem Fly, (Chlorops Pumilionis.) — Perhaps 

 this species has not yet heen identified on this continent, never- 

 theless it is quite certain that numerous insects belonging to the 

 same genus infest the wheat crops in America. As every kind 

 of information bearing upon the subject of wheat culture and 

 wheat depredators is of the utmost value in Canada, the follow- 

 ing notices of insect depredators, which may be met with in our 

 wheat fields, are subjoined. Their habits and distribution have 

 not been much studied on this continent ; it is to be hoped, how- 

 ever, now that attention is so painfully drawn to the insects 

 preying upon wheat, that observers will be found in Canada zea- 

 lous to record the approach, and describe the habits, life and 

 history of the unknown insect pests on this most valuable cereal. 



169. The wheat-stem fly derives its name from the colour of 

 its eyes, and the effect it produces upon the plants it attacks. 

 It destroys the central shoots, and thus occasions the dwarfing of 

 the many lateral ones which are pushed out during the decline 

 of the main stem. These side shoots are not only short in 

 height, but carry a small head irregularly filled with grains. The 



