Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-07-14
The New Wheat Insect Pest.

Professor Forbes, the Illinois State
Entomologist, has been investigating
the new winter wheat pest, and de-
Nribes it as follows:
\. new insect enemy of winter wheat
has lately come to notice in Central and
Southern Illinois, where it has done
most serious mischief in some localities,
snd, as it will o be too late to make
observations upon it, the immediate at
Epntion of those interested is earnestly
invited to this subject. Wherever it
as thus far been detected, it has pre-
Dusly been COMPOUNDED with the Hes
kan fly, and it is not impossible that
much of the damage attributed to the
latter insect in the southern part of the
State is really due to this hitherto n
known pest.
In the form in which it may now be
foundin the wheat it is a smooth, slender,
pale-green grub, about one-fourth of an
inch in length, without distinct head or
feet, tapering nearly to a point at one
end (the anterior), and slightly mar
rowed but thicker at the other. AT the
pointed end, two curved black hooks
may be seen, working actively back
ward, as long az the larva is alive.
These are the jaws and are used for
scraping away the substance Of the plant.
ii the head is examined with a good
magnifier, two very short antenne,
scarcely longer than wide, may be seen
near its upper surface, and below these
are two circular areas, probably repre-
Sentlng palpi. On each side of the base
of the second segment of the worm is a
small gill-like appendage, divided into
two lobes, each lobe with six divisions.
The last segment of the bodyis bi-lobed,
and bears upon it's posterior surface
two openings (spiracles), each guard
ed by a ciroaet of about twelve de-
pressed spines. The larva is now
changing in the southern part of the
,s(ate into the pupa or chrysalis. which
mas the same general appearance and
color as the grub, but is short and thick,
with blunt ends, and has not the power
81 motion. 1t has no appearance Of
wing cases or other appendages. Al
lnough the general effect of this insect
upon the growing wheat is not especial
Y different from that produced by the
liesslan fly, the worm itself can be very
readily distinguished, especially at this
season OF the year, since the Hessian fly
= no longer a free grub, but constructed
iof itself LAST fall q dark brown, flat,
oval case, like a flax seed, from which
/ Is! Is now emerging as a perfect fly.
Inc insect is now burrowing in the
1ase of the stem of wheat just above
.ne root, and the pupa occurs in the
sane position. The effect is to stop
.ne growth of the plant, and ultimately
~ XIII it. There is abundant evidence
snat the grub leaves n stalk for an
I'ner' 50 that a single insect may per-
rraps destroy an entire stool. Fields in
luton County have been completely
Tuned by this pest, SO that they arc
WY being plowed up for other crops
"iere the injury is less complete, il
n"s the effect to deaden the wheat,
Haofe or less completely, in spots. The
ni iscct may be found by carefully strip
pug down the leaves of the affected
Gems until the center is reached, where,
h, u still remains, it will be found
"",lea at the base of the growing stem
AS this insect has only been known
y US Tor a few weeks it is, of course,
NJ fftosslble to give any sufficient account
ero ns development. 1t is certain, how
,sI thai the worms were Matched in
s"r lleld in the fall, after the wheat was
tb b"n' and that the principal part O
vii, injury was done before frost. Il
tr 'i now soon transform into a minute
Iy,o winch will probably e a secone
h., 'o' later in the season. This fly viii
In,,.h no s.eser than a mosquito, but
''ll thicker and more robust. l
c.I.a clergyman has actually beer