471 



The Horn Fly in Virginia. 



I iucloso two Hptciiiieiifj of tlie " Horn Fly " tliat has been torturing onr cattle for 

 several years. Tliis fly first attracted notice the summer of 1889 by appearing in 

 swarms and settling around the horns of the cattle, seeming to do no damage beyoud 

 worrying them. The next year the cattle, especially the milch cows, commenced to 

 show tlie result of tlie annoyance by falling off in flesh and in the flow of milk. 

 Tliey have never recovered from the attaclcs of 1890. This spring the fly has already 

 ajipearcd in numbers, and now they attack the cows in a now way, by causing numer- 

 ous sores (under the belly iirincipally). A Jersey cow just bought by us, and brought 

 only 12 miles from here a fortnight ago, has been especially attacked. A half-dozen 

 sores have already appeared on her body. She has fallen off in her flow of milk and 

 in flesh. I have liberally annointed the cows with a preparation of tar, lard, and 

 crude carbolic acid, but it does not drive the pest away ; they settle wlierever the 

 hair is free from the ointment. C'au yon direct me what to do ? Is there any way in 

 which they can l)c kept from the cattle ? What is the genus of the fly f * » » 

 —[J. S. Strayer, box 31, Port Republic, Virginia, May 4, 1891. 



Reply. — I am much obliged to you for this note concerning the occurrence of this 

 insect in your neighborhood, and send you by accompanying mail a copy of a pam- 

 phlet whicli treats of its life-history and the best remedies so far tried. I shall be 

 glad to liaveyou try the remedies tliero mentioned and inform me of the result. I 

 may take an occasion if events justify to send an assistant to Port Republic later in 

 the season. — [May T), 1S91.] 



A Plague of Grasshoppers in Idaho. 



I understand there has been a connnission constituted to examine and inquire into 

 the grasshopper districts. This section has been a very great suti'eier from this plague 

 for five consecutiv e years. They seem to be native. They are of a small black variety 

 and do not seem to migrate. Farmers are prevented from raising crops, cereals, and 

 vegetables, and will soon be compelled to desert their farms and liomes unless they 

 get relief. If it is in the power ot your Department to render aid, for the sake of 

 humanity do so. — [Geo. B. Hill, Bellevue, Idaho, May 11, 1891. 



Reply. — « # * There has been no commission recently constituted for the 

 purpose which you mention, and the Entomological Commission, whicli was organ- 

 ized at the time of the Kansas and Colorado outbreak in 1874 to 187(1, ceased to exist 

 about 1881. The Entomologist of this Department, however, Prof. C. V. Riley, was 

 chief of that commission and is much interested in the subject of damage by grass- 

 hoppers. Bulletin No. 25 of this Division goes over the whole subject of destructive 

 " locusts or grasshoppers." Full information is given in this bulletin regarding the 

 necessary remedies in such cases as yours. The Entomologist Avould be very glad 

 to have you send on specimens of the particular species which is proving so injurious 

 in your neighborhood. * * * — [May IG, 1891.] 



Pacific Coast Termites. 



I send a few live insects. I think you told mooncc they are Termites. The winged 

 form was plentiful last January, but I only saw three when I took these. The soldiers 

 are not plentiful. Where I chop the old wood there may be quantities of the smaller 

 ones, and only an occasional soldier. Perhaps they hide faither away. The soldier 

 must help some to provide food. I placed a few in ajar, and put in a fly. The sol- 

 dier backed, and then with a run and a jump attacked the fly, and soon severed the 

 head from the body, and left it to look for more. Other ants went immediately to 

 sucking the headless trunk and the head. 



How many forms are likely to be found in one colony f I have found very few small 

 soldiers; only two or three even. — [Mrs. A. E. Bush, San Jos^, California, May 24, 

 1891. 



