49 8 



The Asparagus Fly. 



[NOV., 



water. The first application should be made about a fortnight 

 before the flowers expand, the second when in full bloom, care 

 being taken at this time not to use too much force in spraying, 

 in order not to injure the flowers. A third spraying may follow 

 after an interval of three or four weeks if the mildew has not 

 been completely destroyed. All diseased foliage and fruit 

 should be collected and burned. 



During the winter, when the vine is resting, the trunk and 

 branches should be thoroughly drenched with a wash consisting 

 of one pound of sulphate of copper dissolved in 25 gallons of 

 water. The soil, walls, glass, &c, should also be drenched with 

 this solution, which, it is very important to remember, should 

 only be applied during the winter, before the leaf-buds begin to 

 swell, otherwise the foliage will be completely destroyed. 



The Asparagus Fly, Platyparea poeciloptera (Orta/is firi- 

 minans\ is a small fly, the prevailing colour of which is brown. 



shows at its hinder end four rather light transverse lines. The 

 two wings, somewhat rounded at their ends, are marked by zig- 

 zag stripes. The body of the female is pointed, and bears a 

 well-marked ovipositor, whilst the end of the male is rounded. 

 Both male and female are hairy. 



The larva is a roundish, glossy, and legless maggot, which is 

 yellowish in colour ; at the dark head end are two easily-dis- 

 tinguishable gnawing mouth hooks ; at the hind end, which is 

 somewhat flattened, is a black-brown plate, to which are attached 

 two hook-shaped or anchor-like processes. Full grown, the 

 maggot measures about half an inch. 



The pupa is barrel-shaped ; at first it is light yellowish-brown 

 in colour, but later it becomes darker, and is slightly flatter on 

 the under surface than on the upper ; a short, anchor-like double 

 hook is at the hind end. 



The flies issue from early in April until about the middle of 

 July, and lay their eggs beneath the scales of the asparagus 

 heads as these are appearing through the soil, or in the neigh- 

 bourhood of the leaves. 



The Asparag-us 

 Fly. 



The thorax, head, and legs are glossy 

 brown, and the antennae and face yellow- 

 brown ; the abdomen is brown-black, and 



