The Hessian Fly in England.

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 189, 29 January 1887, Page 4

The Hessian Fly in England.

We make mention elsewhere of Misa Ornaerod's recently issued pamphlet on the Hessian Fly (Oecidomyia destructor). What lias lately caused renewed interest in this plague in Great Britain is the fact that it made it appearance in England last summer for the first time, having probably been introduced in imported American straw or wheat. As we point out in another column, thi a ecourge of the wheat fields appeared in California two years ago, and it therefore behoves Agricultural Societies and iarmers generally to urge upon the Government to take whatever nrecautions may bo needful to avoid the risk of the introduction into this colony of the " Hessian Fly " from California, with which we are now in frequent jommunication. A correspondent writing to an English paper some time ago says: — "The Ile^sian fly has just been discovered to have made its way into some of the cornfields of Essex and Herts, It is satisfactory to learn, however, that the attack is not likely to do much damage this reason, as most of the corn is already cut, and the flies, winch are chiefly destructive Mhilst the corn is yot ripening, were not present in sufficiently Large numbeis to injure the crops very extensively dining the peiiod of growth. In the attack new attracting observation the straw is bent down so sharply above the joint as to bo almost broken through ; but on raiting the straw it is found not to be severed, and on opening the bhcat between the knot and the bend the f-lnny, flattened, dark brown chrysalis, something like flax seeds, about the tenth of an inch lone;, will be found lying within, sometimes with one end partly imbedded in the side of the ptalk. The Hessian fly bids fair to become an object of even more diead than the famous Colorado beetle." The Agricultural Department of the Privy Council lightly thought the mattei ot sufficient importance to issue an official paper upon the subject which contains a number ot suggestions for the information of ngiiculturisfa, prepared by Mr Charles Whitehead at the request ot the Loids of the Committee of Council. MrWhitehead says : "This insect is terribly destructive to c irn crops it\ America, Canada, and parts of Germany. In some years it has almost entirely destroyed the wheat crops in large districts in tlie^e countries. In the upper counties of Georgia, Packard state*, ' the fly ha* committed »uch ravages upon the wheat as scarcely to leave enough seed for another year.' It had not been found in Great Britain until thi3 present year, though in 1800 fears were entertained that it had been introduced. In 17SS the importation of wheat from Ameiica was prohibited by the BiitUh Government until it vta>> ascertained that it was not likely that the inject could bo brought over in this way. N"ow, however, without any doubt it hab appeared here, and all effoit must be made, and at once made, 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 spreading in thi* country. " Tho plants of wheat and barley in felted with this insect turn yellow, and become stunted and unhealthy. Plants upon .sharp gravelly patches, ' pinnocky places,' 'stoncbrafch,' or ' stone-shatter,' and upon the poorest parts of fields, show the attack fust .and most seriously. As the plants ripen the stiaw becomes root-fallen and scrawled, the ears are small, and the grains misshapen and shrivelled. Corn plants thus dffected should be carefully examined, especially their leaves, or blades, in«t at the points where, they cover the second joints of the stems from the ground. ' Upon corn plant* thus injured either the larva? of the Hesssian fly or its pupa; will be found close to the lower joints between the sterna and the leaves, or blades. The larva?, .which are the authors of the mischief, a=j they suck out the juices of tho plants, are clynr white or translucent maggots, about tho fifteentli of an inch long having stripe 5 ; of a greenish hue under their skins. They remain in this state from four to six weeke, and then assume ponal or gomi pnpal form. The pupa; are called ' Jinx seeds ' in America, because they are hke svna 1 !, elongated flax .«eeds They are a little longer than the pupa;, and avo of a chesnut colour. It is in this state alone that the Hessian fly has been seen in England These pupro are unmistakable, and when once discovered immediate steps should be taUen to prevent them from turning to flic«, which would lay eggs upon the corn plants cither in the coming autumn or in the spring "Crops "of wheat and barley in whose straw tho ' flax seeds ' have been found phould bo cut above the second joint, either by sotting the reaping machines high, or by reaping them by hand so as to leave a long stubble. Where barley is short and miiot bo cut with scythes, the mowers should be instructed to keep them as high ns piH?iblo. Land upon which the crops have been infested should be cultivated, or broad shared, immediately after harvest The stubble and rubbish should be collected mof«t carefully, and burnt. After tins the land should be deeply ploughed. Or, the stubble might be ploughed in at once deeply. Straw from infested Holds should be closely inspected when threshed. If pupa} are found the straw should be used on the spot, if possible, for litter, and all passed through inixens that heat may destroy them. The shaft' and ' cavings ' from such straw should be burnt, and the corn screened in the most careful manner. Cora from infested fields should on noaccountbe used for seed. Where manure is obtained from the cowsheds, and stables of London and other' cities and iwns, ifc should be mixened for some time, is it is very probable that the pupte of the

inaeot might be imported in packing cases and with straw crates from America And Canada. Wheat plants and barley plants that show yellowness and other signs of disorder in the autumn or spring should be closely examined for the larvae or pupse of the Hessian fly. Should it be discovered that the larvae, or. maggots, are injuring young wheat plants in November, or that pupse— * flax seed I—are1 — are pres.ent upon these* it would be well to feed them down hard with sheep. "