REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 



385 



as thin as possible, say 12 to 15 inches deep, ventilating all we could, 

 and turning it over frequently with shovels. In from three to four 

 weeks after storing I noticed a small fly crawling and flying on and 

 over the wheat, followed in three or four weeks thereafter by what 

 seems to be an egg-deposit. These latter appeared mainly in depres- 

 sions on the surface [of the bed], such as foot-tracks, etc. I inclose a 

 sample of the wheat-fly and eggs (or are they embryo flies) ? * * * 

 * * My crop is probably from 1,500 to 1,600 bushels, and I fear seri- 

 ous loss if some remedy is not promptly applied. In an experience of 

 over twenty years at the business I have never seen such an insect 

 before. I should add that the wheat was fanned after coming from 

 the separator, which took out the sprouted grain. It is now almost 

 entirely dry and seemingly in good condition, barring the insect attack. 



The insect was readily identified as the Angoumois moth. With the 

 wheat sent was a large quantity of the exuviae or the dried remains, 

 or both, of the mite, Heteropus ventrico- 

 sus Newport, first brought to notice 

 in this country by Prof. F. M. Webster, 

 in the Twelfth Report on the Insects 

 of Illinois, as having been found in the 

 autumn of 1882 in a sack of wheat 

 received from Southern Illinois. For two 

 or three months thereafter, the mites b 

 were observed, as opportunity offered, JJf "^"SS? tS^SSSoiS 

 to be feeding voraciously on the larvae ^^^S^^hS^ 



Of the grain-moth. Reference to the Meg greatly enlarged. (After Newport.) 



above has been made in my Second Report on the Insects of New 

 York, and the illustration of the mite therein given, after Newport, 

 and reduced from the figure in Murray's Economic Entomology — 

 Aptera, is reproduced in this. 



The gentleman was informed of the nature of the attack — usually 

 serious and calling for active measures for its arrest. In this instance, 

 however, it was highly probable, that he need give himself no further 

 trouble in the matter, for from the large number of the remains of the 

 carnivorous mite that he had sent me with the wheat, and from what 

 was known of its habits, assurance was felt that the attack of the moth 

 was already arrested, or speedily would be. 



On October 29th, the gentleman wrote as follows, after thanking me 

 for the information given : 



I am pleased to be able to report to you that your predictions 

 have been verified, and that the insect attack upon the wheat has 

 resulted in no injury. I, therefore, conclude that your diagnosis of the 

 case was the correct one, and that the mites preyed upon and destroyed 

 the insect. I am yet holding the wheat, and with perfect confidence 

 that it is now entirely safe. As evidence that there was absolutely no 



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