INSECTS 



43 



reported in Europe as infesting several species of Chrysanthemums, and 

 it appeared in tins country on our establishment. In August, 1914, one 

 of the einpolyees called the writer's attention to a few peculiar blisters 

 or swellings upon leaves of the new variety, Mistletoe, which had been 

 purchased the preceding spring. 



Having had no previous experience with other species of gall fly, 

 it was not consideredd of great importance. 



The following February many other varieties showed this infection 

 and in some cases to such an extent as to render the young growth unfit 

 for propagating purposes. 



We now began to realize how serious the conditions, and if means of 

 control were unavailable the Chrysanthemum industry would soon be 

 destroyed. In March samples of infested plants were sent to Michigan 

 Agricultural College and very soon Prof. E. II. Pettit arrived, making 

 thorough examination, pronouncing it a species of gall fly. At his insti- 

 gation samples were submitted to Dr. E. P. Felt, State Entemologist for 

 the University of New T York, who, by the end of March, identified it as 

 the European species given above. 



Since then the several Federal and State institutions interested in such 

 subjects have devoted considerable time to further investigations. 



Thus ends the American history up to the present, but unfortunately 

 Ihe midge still endures and probably will continue to be a menace to a 

 greater or less degree, 

 depending upon how thor- 

 ough and vigilant the 

 growers of this country 

 are in the applications of 

 the various r e m e d i e s 

 recommended. 



Doubtless it has come 

 upon us through importa- 

 tion of stock. In the adult 

 stage it is a minute fly 

 1.75 milometers (about 

 one-twelfth of an inch 

 long), and in this stage 

 deposits its' eggs which in 

 a few days begin develop- 

 ment showing slight swell- 

 ings or galls. 



By opening these galls 

 we find a yellow colored 

 maggot, which, in the 



NATURAL 



ADULT FEMALE, ENLARGED. 

 SIZE ABOUT 1/J 2 INCH. 



course of time, develops to Courtesy of Bureau of Entomology, U. S. 

 the fly and so multiplica- Department of Agriculture, 



tion ?s continued. 



