80 AGRICULTURAL TEXT-BOOK. 



5. The larva or maggots of Oscinis lineata, Chlorops pumilionis, an d 

 Chlorops glabra, and other flies allied to them, live within the lower 

 part of the steins of wheat, rye, and barley, thereby impoverishing the 

 plants, and causing them to become stinted in their growth. They are 

 rather larger insects than the Frit-Fly. It is highly probable that some 

 of these species, or the Oscinians with similar habits may be found in 

 the stems of wheat, and other grains, and perhaps also in the ears. &quot;A 

 careful examination of all the insects that inhabit our fields of grain is 

 very much wanted.&quot; (Harris.) 



G. The Patent Office Report, 1845, p. 144, mentions n worm which ap 

 peared among wheat in Buck s Co., Penn. &quot; It is a green worm about 

 an inch long ; its head is brownish green, with two brown spots on it. 

 It ascends the stalk of wheat, soon after it has headed, cuts off the 

 head, and feeds upon the top of the standing part.&quot; 



( C,) Insects which injure the grain of wheat in the field : 



1. Wheat-fly, Grain-worm, Weevil, (Cccldomayia Tritici.) This is a 

 small fly, one-tenth of an inch long, somewhat resembling a musquito 

 in form, and was probably introduced from England. It is said to have 

 been first seen in America in 1828, in North Vermont, and Lower Can 

 ada. It has since spread to Upper Canada, New York, New Hamp 

 shire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and probably other States ; and has, 

 in some instances, caused the growth of wheat to be relinquished. The 

 female appears from the beginiug of June to the end of August, in the 

 wheat fields, in immense swarms, when they lay their eggs in the open 

 ing flowers of the grain. The eggs hatch in about eight days, and a 

 little yellow maggot is produced. It never exceeds an eight of an inch 

 in length. From two to twenty have been found within the husk of a 

 single grain. They prey on the wheat in its milky state, and stop when 

 it becomes hard; in consequence, the kernels never fill out. Late it) 

 July and early in August, these maggets change their skins and enter 

 the g -ound, where they remain through the winter ; at the depth of 

 an inch. Deep plowing in the fall, and the use of caustic lime as a 

 manure are recommended for their destruction, as the best among many 

 receipts. 



2. Another small fly, very similar in its effects (Tkrips cerealium,) 

 has been met with in New Hampshire. 3. Brown Weevil, Grey Worm, 

 Wheat-worm, (Caradrina cubicularis ?) This, which has proved very 

 injurious in Western New York, Northern Pennsylvania, and other lo 

 calities, has not yet been distinctly recognized as a species, nor is its 



