16 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
count of injuries inflicted upon early Moore grapes. One acre of 
this variety, belonging to Mr H. L. Cumming of Fredonia, had 60 
to 75% of the blossoms destroyed by this midge. Investigations by 
the writer last June showed that the insect was generally dis- 
tributed, even in extensive vineyards, throughout the grape belt, 
being observed from Fredonia westward to Ripley, while Mr Fred 
johnson recorded its occurrence at North East, Pa. The injury 
resulting from the attack of this insect simply causes the destruc- 
tion of infested blossom buds. There was some complaint of 
grape clusters being unusually open and irregular during 1908, and 
as this midge was abnormally abundant, it was undoubtedly a fac- 
tor in the production of light bunches. Furthermore, it is probable 
that some of the mysterious failures of the grape crop in restricted 
areas may be attributed to the work of this species. An examina- 
tion of grapevines in the vicinity of Albany and at Nassau, N. Y. 
failed to reveal any signs of this insect’s work. 
Description. The presence of this enemy in a vineyard is easily 
recognized. The infested blossom buds remain closed and are con- 
spicuous on account of their abnormal size. They are about % 
of an inch in length and usually longer than broad. They vary in 
color from the nearly normal green to a variable red tinted extrem- 
ity. The actual presence of the destructive yellowish maggots is 
easily demonstrated by opening a bud. Seven to eight or ten larvae 
may occur in one blossom bud. The affected buds remain on the 
vines only a short time, dropping within a few days to a week after 
the injury becomes noticeable. 
Larva. The pale yellowish or whitish maggot or larva is about 
1/12 of an inch long and may be easily recog- 
nized by the presence of a somewhat charac- 
teristic, brownish, forked breastbone near the 
anterior extremity. The younger maggots 
are whitish, becoming lemon-yellow upon at- 
taining full growth. The maggots, together 
with those of related species, have a peculiar 
method of locomotion. The extremities are 
brought together and then suddenly released. 
The movement frequently results in throwing 


Fic. 3 Maggot of grape : ‘ : 
blossom midge, breast- the maggot a distance several times its own 
bone greatly enlarged. 55 s 
(Original) length. 
Fly. The parent insect is an extremely delicate, pale yellowish 
fly only about 1/25 of an inch long. The male is easily recog- 
