NEMATOCERA. 7 
on other grasses, and that broods from these infest the wheat ; the 
reference above is certainly in favour of this theory. The ‘ Wheat 
Midge” is attacked by P/atygaster tipule, which lays eggs within its 
eggs by means of a very long ovipositor, and by A/acroglenes pene- 
trans, which lays eggs within the larve. This insect was first 
recorded in England in 1776, then in North America, then in France, 
and later in Austria, Hungary, Germany and Prussia. 
Prevention and Remedies of Attack: 
Miss Ormerod says (in the work mentioned before): ‘The best 
method for prevention of this ‘Red Maggot’ is to give it no winter 
shelter, which is zat¢ura//y at the roots of the corn crops or of couch 
grasses, and artificially in large chaff-heaps. The chaff-heaps and the 
rubbish and dust from the threshing machine can be easily managed, 
and in the fields a great deal of the ‘Red Maggot’ may be got rid 
of by special methods of ploughing, or by taking the cultivator 
through the land and collecting and burning the stubble roots.” 
In America various methods of ploughing in the stubble and top 
soil, and thus placing the “‘ Red Maggot ” under unfavourable condi- 
tions, are employed. But one of the most important points in pre- 
venting the spread of this pest is entirely doing away with those hot- 
houses of “* Wheat Midge,” namely, heaps of chaff and dust from the 
threshing machine, which are so often seen. Not only does this 
mode of heaping the chaff seem to hasten and favour development 
of the Midge, but it enables the breeding to take place more freely, 
for we know that very few ¢’s are found in the cornfields, and Miss 
Ormerod, from her observations, thinks that the pairing takes place 
amongst the countless number seen over these heaps ; if, then, these 
were burnt or placed in unfavourable conditions, such as in cattle 
yards, much good might be done by not only retarding development 
of the “ Red Maggot,” but by stopping the further production of the 
species. 
Dr. Taschenberg recommends the destruction of couch grass near 
cornfields, as it harbours this fly to a large extent, and he further 
says: “The meadow foxtail grass is certainly at present open to 
suspicion of infestation.”* Griffithst says destroy especially the wild 
oat grass (Azena fatua), upon which the larve of the wheat fly feed. 
a oe an * The Ash-cauliflower Gnat.” 
Dr. Meade says this is probably the same as C. minufa, of \WVin- 
nertz. It seems to be intermediate between Diplosis and Cecidomy ia. 
* Practische Insectenkunde, pt. iv., p. 16; also véde American Gov. Repo.ts. 
+ Diseases of Crops, chap. iv., p. 117. 
