THE FRIT-FLY. 9 
noticed by anyone. Since the infested culms were left upon 
the fields the resulting winged insects were not destroyed, 
hence they issued during the spring of 1892 and greatly ex- 
tended their domain. The very causes that killed off the 
armies of young migratory locusts, i.e. excessive moisture, 
protected this new pest. 
“Prom the rather few facts which we possess in regard 
to this insect in Minnesota one very important conclusion 
may be reached. As the insects hibernate in the culms of 
wheat in stubble fields, and very likely remain in that con- 
dition until spring, simple remedies are available and can 
readily be applied. Allthatis necessary to kill the great 
majority of these insects is to destroy the stubble at this 
time of the year, or as soon as possible after harvest. Two 
methods are feasible: burning the stubble, or plowing it 
under. Burning can be practiced in some few cases, but in 
many fields there is not sufficient material to do it thorough- 
ly. Plowing, therefore, is our best remedy, and no field 
should be left unplowed that contains such insects, or 1s 
suspected of containing them. A very superficial inspection 
of the fields will show the whereabouts of these insects, if 
the owner has not already detected the broken culms or 
heads. By splitting with a knife the joint just below the 
broken culm the dark puparium will be readily seen. Or if 
not, the discolored interior of the culm above will indicate 
its presence, and closer inspection will reveal the culprit. 
All fields that contain infested straw should be plowed, and 
this as soon as possible to make sure of the destruction of 
these insects; the rest of the fields can be plowed later. In 
doing this we shall be sure of one thing: the insects, al- 
though well protected against moisture, will come in lasting 
contact with the moist soil, the broken tube above will be 
filled with earth, and the fly can not escape the next spring to 
carry destruction near and far. 
“The damage caused by this insect in 1892 was by no 
means small. In many places fully one-fourth of the entire 
crop of wheat was destroyed, and in a great many more the 
losses amounted at least to one tenth. As many places are 
badly infested, the total amount is quite large, and if no 
