THE HESSIAN-FLY. 



11 



THE HESSIAN-FLY. 



{Cecklomla destructor Say). 



This insect, perhaps for the first time in its history, has 

 caused considerable losses to the farmers of Minnesota, 

 Contrary to all expectations it has found a home in our 

 state, but very likely only for a short time. A large area is 

 infested, but especially the western part of central Minne- 

 sota, from Brown's Valley to the Mississippi river at St. 

 Cloud. Farther north and south the fly is found in lesser 

 numbers, and only few occur in the northern part of the Red 

 River valley and along the Iowa state line. The damage 

 in some places amounted to more than 25 per cent, in others 

 to 5 per cent and less, but on an average our farmers lost 

 from 5 to 10 per cent of their entire wheat crop. This is a 

 very serious loss and one requiring close attention on the 

 part of the farmers to prevent in future. The writer is 

 glad to state that in many places a number of different par- 

 asites have been exceedingly numerous and active and have 

 done such good w^ork that the majority of the destructive 

 flies have been destroyed. 



Fig, 3.-— Hessian-fly: 1, adult female; 2, abdomen of male; 3, pupa removed 

 from puparium (flax-seed); 4. puparium; 5, larvae; 7, puparia in position. All en- 

 larged excepitng 7. i. After Taschenburg). 



As the history of the Hessian-fly has already been given 

 in last year's report it is not necessary to repeat it here. An 

 illustration of its various stages is given in fig. 3. In south- 



