46 PROTECTION OF PLANTS, 1917-18 



SOME INJURIOUS INSECTS OF STE. ANNE DE BELLEVUE, 1917. 



By P. I. Bryce, Macdonald College. 



Insects Affecting Grains and Clovers. 



The greater wheat stem maggot {Meromyza americana) caused considerable 

 white head injury in wheat and barley. About July 25th to 27th the fly had 

 changed from a pale green maggot % in. long, legless and smooth, but with two 

 black rasps on the smaller or head end. The puparium is formed from the last 

 larval skin but shows less signs of the segments. Both stages are found between 

 the upper mode or joint and the head, generally under the sheathing leaf, inside 

 the hollowed out. stem. By August 8th, the adult emerged as a small greenish 

 metallic fly, with three black bands on the thorax. 



The Hessian fly (Mayetiola destructor) did some damage to spring wheats. 

 The characteristic bent stem, partly ascending again, and usually short, was found. 

 The plants often showed much tillering with 5-6 or more stunted heads. 



Corn showed damage to the leaves ressembling that caused by the corn 

 bill-bug (Sphenophonis inequalis). 



Insects Affecting Root Crops and Vegetables. 



Considerable injury to cauliflower and cabbage was done by the cabbage 

 root maggot {Chortophila brassicae). Where card-board discs were placed 

 about the plant, when planted, no maggot injury was done. 



The onion root maggot's work was noticeable, but the damage was not 

 considered serious. It is probable that a careful examination would show a 

 greater loss than is thought. 



Flea beetles were especially injurious to the potato crop, while damage was 

 done to turnips, beets, horse radish, willow, currant, choke cherry, and grape. 

 The potato flea beetle {Epitrix cucumeris) , Crepidodera helxines on willow, the 

 horse radish flea beetle {Phyllotreta armoraciae), turnip flea beetles (P. 

 sinuata and P. vittatta), the grape-vine flea beetle (Haltica chalybea) and the hop 

 flea beetle {Psylliodes punctulata) were taken during the month of June. 

 Colorado potato beetles were abundant, but were controlled by the poison 

 Bordeaux spray. The predacious pentatomid or stink-bug (Perillus sp.) was found 

 in some numbers feeding on young beetles. 



To those raising parsnip seed, some loss was caused by the greenish, black- 

 tubercled parsnip web-worm (Depressaria heracliana). It feeds on the flower 



