co | 
=) 
OU 
REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 1901 
INJURIOUS INSECTS 
Cecidomyia destructor Say 
HESSIAN FLY 
Ord. Diptera; Fam. Cecidomyiidae 
This species was first observed in this country in New York 
and its common name was bestowed in the belief that it came 
to us in packing or straw shipped to the Hessian soldiers then 
stationed on Long Island. The probabilities tend in that direc- 
tion though absolute proof may always be wanting. This pest 
attracted the attention of entomologists in the early part of the 
last century on account of its serious injuries, as it gradually 
spread over the country. Dr Asa Fitch, entomologist of the 
New York state agricultural society was one of the first to give 
a detailed account of it and much that he published can not be 
bettered in this later day. His account is now almost inaccessi- 
ble to the general public and though the pest has been treated 
in some detail by later writers, particularly by Prof. Webster 
and Prof. Osborn, there is no complete recent account of it as 
it occurs in New York. A very good general account of the 
insect in the United States is given by Prof. Osborn in Bulletin 
16, new series, division of entomology, United States depart- 
ment of agriculture. . 
Early injuries in New York by the Hessian fly. This summary 
account of the depredations of the pest is taken largely from 
the quite full treatise on it given by Dr Packard in the 3d report 
of the United States entomological commission. 
The Hessian fly first became a serious pest in 1779 at which 
time and for several succeeding years wheat was severely 
injured or wholly destroyed by it in Kings and Richmond coun- 
ties. In 1786 and 1787, its ravages again attracted considerable 
attention in this state, the crop of eastern Long Island having 
been almost universally destroyed. In 1803 very severe losses 
were caused by its operations in Saratoga and Washington 
counties and on two or three occasions in earlier years many 
of the fields in Saratoga county were entirely destroyed. Again 
in 1844 losses occasioned by it on Long Island and at Rochester 
