MAMESTRA PICTA EATING PEA-VINES. 91 



sown before the 1st of May matures earlier and escapes to a great ex- 

 tent. Last year the wheat sown on the 16th of June got very well 

 clear, but that sown from the 5th to last of .May was severely handled 

 by the midge. I shall be glad if you can give me any information as to 

 the best means of getting rid of the pest. I have no doubt you are well 

 acquainted with its habits and have often referred to it in your reports. 



If you wish I will collect and forward samples of eggs in season. — 

 [Wm. Heard, The Cedars, Prince Edward's Island, April 23, 1883. 



[The insect spoken of in this letter was, without doubt, the Wheat 

 Midge {Diplosis tritici, Kirby). It has done but little damage in the 

 United States for the last twenty years, and we have not had occasion 

 to study it particularly, nor have there been auy articles of importance 

 published about it since Dr. Fitch's lengthy summary in the Transactions 

 of the New York State Agricultural Society for 1860. This is the best 

 account of the midge ever published. Another excellent account is 

 found in Harris's Insects Injurious to Vegetation. We sent for further 

 specimens and received the following reply:] 



In accordance with the request contained in your favor of 28th April 

 last, I now forward by mail some specimens of wheat midge, which are 

 in good condition for investigation. This year we would have had a 

 magnificent return but for the depredations of this insect. In some 

 districts the loss is total. Late-sown wheat has so far escaped. Per- 

 haps this may be found the only safe plan, but the risk of bad weather 

 in September for harvest induces many to run the risk of early sowing. 



* * * [Wm. Heard, The Cedars, Prince Edward's Island, August 

 22, 1883. 



MAMESTRA PICTA EATTNGr PEA VlNES. 



A little worm is eatiug our pea vines. Not having noticed it before, 

 I thought I would send you a few specimens for determination. I send 

 them in a small box by this mail. If not too much trouble, please tell 

 me the name, and if it is common. Have found it on only one or two 

 plants, but these plants were covered and entirely destroyed. — [V. 11. 

 Horsford, Charlotte, Vt., June 30, 1883. 



[These specimens were in poor condition and unrecognizable, and 

 more were sent for, which were received together with the following 

 letter:] 



Yours of the 5th is at hand. I inclose in a vial, by this mail, a ten 

 of the live worms which I sent some time since. They have grown so 

 much that I would hardly recognize them if 1 did not find them on the 

 pea vines. They seem to do much damage, but are no! yel very numerous. 

 The first plant that 1 discovered was completely covered with the little 

 worms like what I sent you first— [F. 11. BORSFORD, July >. L883, 



