MAMESTRA PICTA EATING PEA-VINES. oF 
sown before the Ist of May matures earlier and escapes to a great ex- 
tent. Last year the wheat sown on the 16th of June got very well 
clear, but that sown from the 5th to last of May was severely handled 
by the midge. I shall be glad if you can give me any information as to 
the best means of getting rid of the pest. I have no doubt you are well 
acquainted with its habits and have often referred to it in your reports. 
If you wish I will collect and forward samples of eggs in season.— 
[Wm. HEARD, The Cedars, Prince Edward's Island, April 23, 1883. 
[The insect spoken of in this letter was, without doubt, the Wheat 
Midge (Diplosis tritici, Kirby). It has done but little damage in the 
United States for the last twenty years, and we have not had occasion 
to study it particularly, nor have there been any articles of importance 
published about it since Dr. Fitch’s lengthy summary in the Transactions 
of the New York State Agricultural Society for 1860. This is the best 
account of the midge ever published. Another excellent account is 
found in Harris’s Insects Injurious to Vegetation. We sent for further 
specimens and received the following reply :} 
In accordance with the request contained in your favor of 28th April 
last, I now forward by mail some specimens of wheat midge, which are 
in good condition for investigation. This year we would have had a 
magniticent return but for the depredations of this insect. In some 
districts the loss is total. Late-sown wheat has so far escaped. Per- 
haps this may be found the only safe plan, but the risk of bad weather 
in September for harvest induces many to run the risk of early sowing. 
* * * [Wmn. HEARD, The Cedars, Prince Edwards Island, August 
22, 1883. 
MAMESTRA PICTA EATING PEA VINES. 
A little worm is eating our pea vines. Not having noticed it before, 
I thought I would send you afew specimens for determination. I send 
them in a small box by this mail. If not too much trouble, please tell 
me the name, and if it is common. Have found it on only one or two 
plants, but these plants were covered and entirely destroyed.—[{F. H. 
HORSFORD, Charlotte, Vt., June 30, 1883. 
[These specimens were in poor condition and unrecognizable, and 
more were sent for, which were received together with the following 
letter :| 
Yours of the 5th is at hand. I inclose in a vial, by this mail, a few 
of the live worms which I sent some time since. They have grown so 
much that I would hardly recognize them if I did not find them on the 
peavines. They seemtodomuch damage, but are not yet very humerous. 
The first plant that I discovered was completely covered with the little 
worms like what I sent you first—[F. H. HORSFORD, July 8, 1883. 
