Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-04-07
Fer The Freeman.
A Chat with Farmers,
BY AGRICOLA.
ABOUT NoXIoUs INSECTS.

We have spoken of the seventeen-years
cicada; of their destructive habits and
great numbers. Fortunately their visits
are " few and far between" and their
stay among us is short. In New England
they do not leave the ground until the
middle of June, and in fortnight after
their final transformation they begin to
lay their eggs, and within six weeks the
whole generation becomes extinct.
Here is another instance of compensa-
ton. Seventeen years are sure to pass
away before the next generation will be
born. Hence, vegetation has time to re-
cover from the injury inflicted by them.
If they should come every year and stay
all summer, our fields, forests and fruit
trees would be entirely destroyed. More
over this species of insect is subject to
many accidents, and has many enemies.
The long sleep of seventeen years (not
quite SO long as that of old Kip Van
Winkle) subjects them to severe and
peculiar trials. Their eggs are eaten by
RRRlEdqs RRdq !, the the young are destroyed by ants,
just before their final transformation when
they are found under the surface of the
soil. The eggs are sometimes deposited
under the bark of trees, anu 30, i--s~
time are they left there that many perish
by the growth of the tree, being enclosed
by the bark and wood, After all, enough
are left " for seed" TO make sure boun-
liful periodical harvest, and to perpetuate
the curse.
There are several other harvest flies in
the United States. The males are musical,
playing on drums which are concealed
within cavities in the sides of the first
abdominal ring. One of these, the dog
day harvest fly, is found in Massachusetts.
This kind comes round every year. As
early as the 25th of July they commence
drumming in the trees. usually between
the hours of 10 O clock in the morning and
2 in the afternoon. All do not muster on
the same day. At first the assembly is
small, but new corners are added every
day, until the trees are full of them, and
their drumming is heard in every direc-
ton. And it is remarkable fact that
those of the band that first assemble
always keep their appointed time with
extreme regularity.
This og-day harvest fly measures more
than an inch and half from the points TO
the tips of the wing covers, which when
spread extend about three inches. The
uDpCE SluC vi llC 10 DltiSh, oil OtiCk
parts are covered with tiour-like, white
substance, except the top Of its head. legs
and thorax, which are olive green. They
lay their eggs in great vaaiety of trees.
| They are much like but larger than the
seventeen.years harvest fly, and some
species continue with us to the end of
Septem Der. AS their number is limited,
the injury they do is comparatively small.
| The other harvest flies of this country
have only two eyeets, and no drums, but
they have as compensation the power to
lean, sometimes assisted by their wings, a
distance of five or six feet. If man was
endowed with the same ability, in proper.
ton to his size, he would be able to leap
quarter of mile!
The different species of harvest flies
differ in the form and size of the face and
thorax. The habits of the tree hoppers
are much like those of the musical harvest
flies. Some live on trees, and others on
the stems of plants. They are very quiet
when undisturbed, but on the approach of
danger they show great activity. There
is one remarkable fact concerning these
insects-they never sit across the limb,
but always in the direction of its length,
with the head towards its extremity! And
another fact is equally remarkable. and
applies not only to the insects under re-
view, but also to leaf insects, grasshop-
pers and walking-sticks. They resemble
in color and form the objects among which
they have been destined to live, doubtless
with the design of screening them from
their enemies of the feathered race.
Hence we see that even the most worthless
and harmful insects that man would
destroy, the Creator has made special ar
rangemcnts to protect. Are we then
warning against nature and the God Of
nature in our war upon noxious insects ?
1t cannot be so, in any blameworthy sense
for we find that the war of races, one
upon the other, is necessity. The larger
and stronger were evidently made to feed
upon the smaller and weaker, and it is as
true that the weaker were made to feed
upon the stronger. What would become
of all the carnivorous birds and beasts il
there were no insect world or weaker
races below them? What would become
of the whale and other large fish. in the
ocean, if there were not swarms Of smaller
fish for them to feed uponp