GO 



DIPTERA OF MINNESOTA. 



Some observers claim to have observed a great activity of Cecid- 

 omyid larvse after a thunder storm, claiming that they leave their 

 hiding places under ground, and crawl about restlessly for some time. 



One of the prominent pests in this family is the Clover Leaf 

 Midge, which folds the clover leaf lengthwise. We have also the 

 Clover Seed Midge, which is exceedingly destructive to both red and 

 white clover, preventing the maturity of the seed. But by far the 



Fig. 46. Hessian Fly, female, reared 

 in the laboratory, greatly enlarged. 

 Original. 



Fig. 47. Four pnparia, "flaxseeds" of Hessian Fly, 

 found in one volunteer wheat plant. Original. 



most injurious of the family, indeed, at times, the worst of pests in 

 wheat growing districts of the United States, is the Hessian fly, 

 Mayetiola destructor, which gets its common name from a supposi- 

 tion that it was brought to America in the bedding of the Hessian 

 soldiers. Much work has been bestowed upon this insect, and much 

 written upon its ravages and .treatment. It has been thoroughly dis- 

 cussed in various reports from this department, and perhaps needs 



