5V0 
DIPTERA. 
In a communication by Mr. J. W. Jeffreys, published in 
the sixth volume of Buel’s “ Cultivator,” it is stated, that 
soon after the battle of Guilford, in Xorth Carolina, the 
■wheat crops were destroyed bv the Hessian flv in Oranse 
County, through which the British army, composed in part 
of Hessian soldiers, had previously passed. Although it is 
possible that, in this instance, the chinch-bug may have been 
mistaken for the Hessian fly, the remark shows how preva¬ 
lent was the belief respecting the introduction of the latter. 
The foregoing statements, taken in connection Avith the 
habits of the Hessian flv, induce me to think that the com- 
mon opinion relative to its origin is deseiwing of some 
credit. 
The head, antennae, and thorax of this fly are black. 
The hind body is tawny, more or less Avidely marked AA’ith 
black on each ring, and clothed Avitli fine grayish hairs. 
The egg-tube of the female is rose-colored. The AA’ings are 
blackish, except at the base, AA’here they are taAAmy and A^ery 
narroAv ; theA’ are fringed AA'ith short hairs, and are rounded 
at the tip. The legs are pale red or broAAuiish, and the 
feet are black. The body measures about one tenth of an 
inch in length, and the AA’ings expand one quarter of an inch, 
or more. After death, the hind body contracts and becomes 
almost entirely black. 
The Hessian fly is a time Cecidomyia^ differing from Lasi- 
optera in the shortness of the first joint of its feet, and in 
the greater length of its antennae, the bead-like SAvellings 
whereof are also more distant from each other, especially 
in the males. According to Mr. Herrick, the number of 
the joints of the antennae A’aries “ from fourteen to seAmn- 
teen, besides the basal joint, which appears double.” As 
in other species of Ceeidomyia^ the form of the joints differs 
according to the sex; those of the male being globular, 
and those of the female, except at base, oblong OA’al. In 
both they are surrounded Avith AA’horls of short hairs. The 
difference in the antennae of the sexes has been pretty Avell 
