The recent appearance of the Hessian Fly. 
727 
should be received or acted on which have not been subjected 
to most stringent examination. 
XXV^II. — Official Reports on the Hessian Fhj, Cecidomjia de- 
structor {Saij). Bj Charles Whitehead, F.L.S., F.G.S., 
of Barming House, Maidstone. 
[Published by the Agricultural Department of the Privy Council ou the First 
Appearance of the Insect.*] 
The following suggestions have been prei^ared by Mr. Cliarles AVhiteliead, 
F.L.S., F.G.S., at the request of the Lords of the Committee of Council fur 
Agriciilture, for the information of Agriculturists. 
Tlie Hessian Fltj, Cecidomj'ia destructor (Sa>/). 
1. The perfect fly much magnified. 2. Larva magnified. 
3. Pupa magnitied. Lines showing natural size. 
" This insect is terribly destructive to corn crops in America, (^'anada, and 
parts of Germany. In some years it has almost entirely destroyed the wheat 
crops in large districts in these countries. In the ujjper counties of Georgia, 
Packard states, ' the fly has committed such ravages upon the wheat as 
scarcely to leave enough seed for another j^ear.' 
"It had not been found in Great Britain until this present year, though in 
1800 fears were entertained that it had been introduced. 
" In 1788 the importation of wheat from America was prohibited by the 
British Government, until it was ascertained that it was not likely that the 
insect could be brought over in this wa}'. 
" Now, however, without any doubt, it has appeared here, and all effort 
must be made, aud at once mafle, to stamp out this dangerous intruder. To 
effect this, if possible, information is given below as to the nature of the 
attack of the Hessian fly, and a description of it in its various stages, as well 
as methods of preventing it from sfireading in this country. 
" The signs of the Attack. — The plants of wheat and barley infested with 
this insect turn yellow, and become stunted and unhealthy. Plants upon 
sharp gravelly patches, ' pinnocky places,' ' stonebrash,' or ' stone-shatter,' 
and upon the poorest parts of fields, show the attack first aud most seriously. 
As the plants ripen the straw becomes root-fallen and scrawled, the ears are 
small, and the grains misshapen and shrivelled. Corn plants thus affected 
* Keprinted by permission of the Privy Council. 
