Sept. 1894.] INJURIOUS INSECTS AND FUNGI. 49 



The Daddy Longlegs (Tipula oleracea). 



1. Male. 4. Larva. 



2. Female. 5. Pupa. 



3. Eggs. 



(^AU natural size except the eggs, ivhich are slightly magmfied.^ 



The larv8e, or grabs, of the awkward, long-legged fly, 

 familiarly known as " Daddy Longlegs," are frequently 

 most destructive to various crops of the farm and garden. 

 These grubs are called " leather jackets " in some counties, on 

 account of the toughness of their skins. Being large and vora- 

 cious they quickly clear off a crop. They attack indiscriminately 

 all kinds of corn, grass, turnips, mangels, clover, peas, beans, and 

 cabbages, and they are particularly fond of strawberry plants. 

 But it is in pasture-land that they do most mischief, sometimes 

 destroying whole tracts of grass-land in England, Scotland, and 

 Ireland, as well as in some continental countries. 



They not only ruin the crop of grass during the year of 

 infestation, but often materially injure the roots of the grasses, 

 especially those, like cocksfoot, which have succulent stems, so 

 that they are completely destroyed. 



Lawns and cricket grounds are frequently damaged by the 

 " leather jackets." In 1884 Lord's Cricket Ground was seriously 

 injured by their persistent attacks. 



It is recorded in Kirby and Spence's " Introduction to Ento- 

 mology " that in 1813 hundreds of acres of grass-land were 



O 83068. D 



