INJURIOUS INSECTS OF 1904. 15 



its work is laid at the Hessian Fly's door. Our illustration will give 

 an idea of the appearance of the larva, puparium and imago or adult 

 insect. 



The general remedies given for the Hessian fly will apply in the 

 case of this pest. 



THE WHEAT STEM MAGGOT. 



Meromyza americana, Fitch. 



This insect was reported by Lugger as being abundant here in 

 1896. In 1895 from 5 per cent to 10 per cent of the crop was ruined 

 in some places, the maggots, according to Lugger, being common 

 from the Red River Valley to the central part of Minnesota. From 

 occasional reports of "white heads" or "bald heads" among the grain 

 this year and last, the Entomologist has every reason to believe they 

 are now with us. These "bald heads" in the wheat are seen when 

 the heads are green, and it should not be difficult for a farmer to tell 

 at once whether the pest is present. 



The adult fly is about ^V of an inch long, yellowish, with 

 bronze colored eyes ; the back is banded, the underside and legs green- 

 ish. Tlie larva or maggot hatching from the whitish egg is pale 

 green, a quarter of an inch long. The transformations are under- 

 gone inside the stem. 



THE CHINCH BUG. 



The Chinch Bug has been conspicuous by its absence this year. 

 Barring an occasional report of a few seen in various localities, no 

 mention of this odorous pest has been made. In Kandiyohi county, 

 on July 2ist, we found it working in rye and wheat and in macaroni 

 zcJicat. Early last fall in the Station grounds we found large numbers 

 of dead Chinch Bugs, their demise evidently having been caused by 

 attacks of a fungus, the growth of which was encouraged by the 

 damp weather prevailing at that time. I believe the general preva- 

 lence of this condition over the Chinch Bug area in Minnesota has 

 been, in part at least; responsible for our immunity this year. They 

 will be with us again. 



In October a report reached this office that a farmer near St. 

 Peter was finding thousands of them on his place, and was killing 

 all he could with kerosene. Inquiry from this office resulted in speci- 



