Fig. 2.—Agromyza simplex: a, larva, lateral 
view; b, thoracic spiracles; c, anal spiracles; 
d, puparium from side; e, same from above; 
/, section of asparagus stalk, showing injury 
and location of puparia on detached sec- 
tion; a-e, much enlarged; /, slightly reduced 
(original). 
2 SOME INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TRUCK CROPS. 
The larva (fig. 2, a) is about one-fifth of an inch long and milk- 
white in color. Like other maggots, it is footless, large at the 
posterior extremity, and tapering 
toward the head. 
The puparium (fig. 2, d, e) is not 
unlike the "flaxseed" of the perni- 
cious Hessian fly, with which it has 
been aptly compared. At a little dis- 
tance, also, it suggests a Lecanium 
scale. This stage is remarkable be- 
cause of its peculiar flattened and 
curved position, as seen from the 
side. It is red in color, and meas- 
ures about 3.5 mm. in length and 
about 1 mm. in width. 
The egg has not been observed. 
This species belongs to the dipter- 
ous family Agromyzidae, and was described by Loew in 1869, a the 
locality being given as u Middle States." 
DISTRIBUTION. 
In its injurious occurrences this species appears to be limited to the 
eastern United States, from New England to Tennessee. From avail- 
able data it is quite obvious, however, that it may be destructive over a 
considerable territory, including a large portion of Massachusetts and 
Connecticut, Long Island, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, 
and Tennessee. As it is recorded from New Jersey, it is probably 
injurious there, although no reports of injury in that State have 
reached this office. In time it will doubtless attract attention in inter- 
mediate points and in States farther north and west. It has also 
appeared in asparagus beds in California. 
HISTORICAL AND BIOLOGICAL NOTES. 
In May, 1897, and afterwards this fly was observed in abundance by 
the writer on terminal shoots of asparagus, particularly at Cabin 
John, Md. Two weeks later no more flies were seen, but June 26 
they reappeared and were then usually seen in copula. It was sur- 
mised at the time that this second appearance indicated the first new 
generation of the }^ear and its abundance on asparagus seemed to show 
that it lived in some manner at the expense of that plant. Examination 
of asparagus plants at that time, however, failed to show attack. The 
facts which have just been narrated were published in 1898. b 
"Diptera Americse septentrionalis indigena, Centuria octava 84, p. 46. 
&Bul. 10, n. s., Div. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agric, p. 62, 1898. 
