47 



erally flare back (Fig. 44) instead of remaining close around 

 the base, as in the normal flower, and this serves as an indi- 

 cation of attack before the buds drop. The adult insect, 

 the parent fly, is so very small that it is probably never 

 observed in the Held upon or about the cotton plants. The 

 length of the body is only about ^-inch and the spread of 

 the wings is about J-inch. The maggots, which are very 

 small (about y^-inch in length when full-grown), are yel- 

 lowish, or pinkish in colour, leave the bud as soon as it falls 

 to the ground and enter the soil, where they pupate. 



The flower-bud maggot first made its appearance in 

 Antigua at the end of 1907, where it caused very serious 

 losses in the cotton crop at that time. It has been recorded 

 from Antigua each year since then, but has not appeared as 

 a pest in any other island. The attacks in 1907-8 and 1908-9 

 in Antigua lasted about three months December, January 

 and February. The attacks in the two succeeding seasons 

 have been less severe and of shorter duration. 



Control. No satisfactory means of 

 control have been devised. The practice 

 of early planting, wj>j^i will allow the 

 forming of the boljs ^before the time for 

 the attack of the flower- bud maggot to 

 commence, will enable a crop to be 

 produced. The time of planting in Aii- 

 tigua is influenced very largely by the 

 weather conditions, which sometimes make 

 early planting difficult in that island. This 

 condition, and the habits of this pest cause 

 its control to be a matter of difficulty. 



Natural Enemies. It is likely that 

 minute hymenopterous insects prey upon 

 the flower-bud maggot, but it is not possible 

 to say how far they exercise any control 

 over it. 



THE LEAF-BLISTER MITE (Eriopylies gosxypii, 

 Banks). Acarina. 



Fig. 45. Leaf- 

 blister mite of 

 cotton. 



Greatly enlarged. 

 (From N. Y. 

 Entom. Soc.) 



The leaf-blister mite (Fig. 45) attacks 

 all parts of the cotton plant except the 

 roots. The blisters which are character- 

 istic of this mite (Fig, 47) are distor- 

 tions or swellings, which result from its presence, and are 



