568 
DIPTERA. 
much smaller and more common species, inhabiting the 
locust-tree. Durino; the month of Auo-ust, some of the 
leaves of this tree will be found to have one edo-e thickened 
in substance and rolled over, so as to form an oblong cavity, 
cylindrical in the middle, and tapering at each end. This is 
the Avork of the laiwae or young Cecidomyians, two or three 
of Avhich will sometimes be found in each cavitv, Avhere also 
4/ ' 
they complete their transformations. The larva is a maggot 
of a Avhitish color, faintly tinged with orange, particularly 
towards the head. The pupa or chrysalis is not contained 
within a cocoon. The fly measures three twentieths of an 
inch in length. It is orange-colored, Avith dusky antenna© 
and Avings, three dusky lines on the thorax, and tAvo dusky 
spots on the sides of the body. An apparent interruption 
in one of the veins of the Avings, noticed by Professor Hal- 
deman, is not peculiar to this insect, but may be seen, more 
or less distinctly, in our other species of Ceciclomyia. 
The Hessian fly Avas scientifically described by Mr. Say, 
in 1817, under the name of Ceci- 
domyia destructor^ (Fig. 257). It 
obtained its common name from a 
supposition that it Avas brought to 
this country, in some straAv, by the 
Hessian troops under the command 
of Sir William HoAve in the Avar 
of the Revolution.! This supposi¬ 
tion, hoAvever, has been thought to 
be erroneous, because the early in- 
' •/ 
quiries made to discoyer the Hessian 
fly in Germany were unsuccessful; and, in consequence 
thereof. Sir Joseph Banks, in his report to the British goy- 
ernment, in 1789, stated that “no such insect could be found 
to exist in Germany or any other part of Europe.” J It 
Fig. 257. 
* Journal of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, Vol. I. p, 46. 
t Dobson’s Encyclopsedia, Vol. VIII. p. 491. 
t Encyclopaedia Britannica, and Dobson’s Encyclopaedia, Vol. VIII., Article 
Hessian Fly. 
