84 CORN AND GEASS. 



During the past season scarcely any observations as to presence of 

 Hessian Fly were sent me, certainly not more than two reports of it having 

 been seen in addition to the following remarks from Mr. D. D. Gibb. 

 It would not be worth while to allude to this attack again save for the 

 weather returns which Mr. Gibb furnished me with along with his 

 insect observations. These show the coincidence of much rain with a 

 growth of plant which prevented the injury being noticeable to the 

 extent that occurs where drought throws the plant much under the 

 power of the maggot sucking away the juices from the stem, and it 

 seems well worth while to give the record, for it is not often we can 

 secure reliable weather notes, coiucidently with those of crop attack in 

 one special locality. 



It seems almost unnecessary to mention that with this crop attack 

 the mischief is caused by the Hessian Fly maggot, or sometimes 

 several of them, remaining stationary under the sheathing-leaf a little 

 above a knot in the stem (probably one of the lower knots) and sucking 

 away the juices. If the stem is weak, either from influences of 

 drought, or of bad cultivation, or any other cause lessening its 

 strength, it presently does what is called "elbows down" ; that is, it 

 gives way at the weakened part and falls (see figure) at a sharp angle 

 or elbow. Thus, in addition to what damage may have been done by 

 lessening the supply of food to the ear, there is the damage to be con- 

 sidered from the ear lying either on the ground or near it, and also the 

 difficulties in reaping from the entangled state of the crop, and further 

 loss from the amount of ears which may be left behind on their fallen 

 stems. 



The figures at p. 33 show an " elbowed" stem, and the flat brown 

 cases, commonly known as "flax-seeds," these being the chrysalis 

 cases, or puparia, to which the maggots turn at their feeding-places, — 

 beneath the sheathing-leaves. The " Hessian Fly," scientifically the 

 Cecidomijia destructor, is a stout made little brown gnat-like fly, about 

 one-eighth of an inch in length, with one pair of smoky-grey wings, 

 and with long antennte, or horns.* 



The following observations were sent me on the 30th of June by 

 Mr. D. D. Gibb, from Ossemsley Manor Farm, near Lymington, 

 Hants, with specimens of Hessian Fly puparia, commonly known as 

 "flax-seeds," on Wheat stems accompanying. Mr. Gibb reported: — 

 "When in one of our Wheat-fields this evening, I came across traces 

 of Hessian Fly attack. As the crop is a good level one of stiff- 

 strawed Eed Wheat in full bloom standing about five and a half feet 

 in height, the damage cannot be said to be great, yet puparia can be 

 found, and the damage will be more apparent at a later stage. I send 



* The figure and description liave been so often given in tliese Eeports, that it 

 seems unnecessary to repeat them. 



