1 
ia) 
anything more than a revision and compilation of the more recent 
contributions of Prof. French and Prof. Riley, and a verification of 
their conclusions by fresh observations and collections. 
LITERATURE. 
This species was first mentioned, as far as known to me, in July 
1880, by Dr. Thomas and Prof. Riley; by the first in a com- 
munication dated July 9, and published in the “Prairie Farmer” 
for July 17, and by the second, in the July number of the “Ameri- 
can Entomologist.” 
Dr. Thomas, under the head of ‘Another Foe to Wheat,’ men- 
tions the fact that a few days before the wheat was cut in Southern 
Illinois, a small maggot was discovered working in the stems next 
the joints. A brief general description of this larva and of its habits 
is then given, enough to indicate clearly that it was this species 
which he had under consideration. From a number of infested 
wheat.straws, a single fly emerged in a breeding cage, and this fly 
Dr. Thomas at first erroneously connected with the larve observed 
in the wheat, and determined as probably a species of Chlorops. 
He concludes by saying that as the worms are in the stems at har- 
vest time, and usually in the portion that remains as stubble, the 
remedy which naturally suggests itself is burning the stubble imme- 
diately after the wheat is cut. 
Prof. Riley’s note in the ‘‘Entomologist” consists of a reply to a 
correspondent ‘rom Andersonville, Tennessee, who sends him exam- 
ples of this insect in wheat stalks. He remarks that the larva is 
new to him, but belongs apparently to the Hymenoptera, and adds, 
“NO remedy of a practical nature can be suggested at this time.” 
In the ‘Prairie Farmer” for August 18, Dr. Thomas recurs to 
this insect, repeating the circumstances of ‘its discovery and giving 
a technical description of the Chlorops to which he at that time 
believed it to belong. 
On the 81st of December, Prof. French published in the ‘‘Prairie 
Farmer” a fuller account of this species than any of the foregoing. 
In this paper the hymenopterous character of the pest was first 
fully established, and the supposed adult was briefly described under 
the name of Isosoma allynit, from specimens which had hatched in 
midsummer. It will be seen later, however, that these adults were 
really parasites, and belonged to the genus Eupelmus, none of the 
true adults of the straw worm emerging until winter and spring. 
Prof. French also described the larva briefly, contrasting its habits 
and injuries to wheat with those of the joint worm Cleosoma hordei, 
Harris), and giving some data for an estimate of the amount of 
damage attributable to it. Under the head of remedies, he advised 
burning the stubble and the straw, and also discussed the probable 
effect of wet and dry seasons upon its numbers. From the fact that 
at the time of writing many of his specimens were still pupz in the 
straw, he inferred that many hibernate in this condition, and lay 
their eggs on the wheat in spring. 
