The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
BITING BUFFALO CHATS.
THEIR ORIGIN AND RAPID DE-
VELOPMRNT.
How Their Propagation May Be
Prevented - Special Agent
Lugger interviewed.

month, investigatin2 the origin and
leyelopment OF the buffalo Rnat, was
Interviewed last night at the Peabody
Hofl by an APPEAL reporter. The
olloging queslions and answers cor
-ectly represent what was said a. the
what progress have You made in
tracing the larvae Of the buffalo gpatY
from analogy IL WIS known that the
ta,ly stages OF ell species OF flies be-
longing 10 the family of gnat1 (Simu-
lium) aCc1r only in water. Several
species have been studied at Lake
SupeIo-, where they are known by
the name Of black flies. Othe:s have |
been studied in the vicinity OF Wash
ipgton, and in Hungary, where they do
immense damage. Utilizing those
known facts, similar places in this
vicinity have been studied which poss-
essed suitable. breeding places. Alter
investigating the various kinds OF
lakes, such as are constantly fed by
spring water, or by over flow from
the Mississippi, IL was found
that these localities did not
produce buffalo Rnals Investigating
then tle larger rivers and creeks, 1t
was also found that they did not poe
sess the n cessaTy conditions to breed
this est. Eventually it was found
that only sms leT streams, wiiha very
rapid current posses the necessary
conditions, and the Larvae of the but-
falo gnat were found in large Numbers
wherever certain conditions existed.
Such localities are mainly small
whirlpools, produced by sticks or
logs, against which leaves Of the
prev:ou year had gathered. Upon
all leaves found in such positions
large numbers Cf the laryg were
found. A great majority of these are
at this date nearly full grown, while
some few have already changed to the
interme diate stage between larva and
fly cSlled pupa. From various iRcts
observed Il may be stated that The
buffalo gnat will appear within very
short time in this immt date neigh
borhood. No large swsTms, however,
will appear this year, since large num-
bers of the Larvae have been already
destroyed by the continued low water
enjoyed here few weeks ago."
what is the process and progress Of
its gro with TO life?"
Like all insects, the buffalo gnet
undergoes four important changes.
The flies which deposit later 10 the
season their eggs close TO the waters
margin soon die. These small eggs
soon hatch into the peculiar Larvae,
which feed like a mosquito larvae
upon microscopic, aquatic animals.
They require nearly year to attain
their full size or growth, and
require the constant flow Of
water TO exist, since they
breathe air like fish, by means OF two
small gill.like organs fastened near the
head. These tr.zthiug organs are,
however, 30 tcaI siormed that they per
form at the same time the functions Of
arms 10 catch the food. An exposure
of few minutes will, of course, kill
them at once, aud fully grown they
spin q silken cocoon around them
selves and fasteu to leaves. The larva
now throws OFF its Ole skin and appears
az a quiet, inactive pupa, which, how
1 ever, stjll retains the gill-likf
breathing organs. These gills are
now 10 longer used TO strain out food
since the larva does not feed any
longer. In the course of few day;
the gnat inside has formed, ard the
space between the fly and the pups
skin is gradually filed with sir, which
ia time carries the pupa to the surface
OF the water, where ifs skin bresk'
open in the back and the gnat appear
Utilizing the old skin as boat unit
the wings become sufficiently hard
ened to fly of On its career OF de
struction."
"What would you suggest rs {
remedy against the propagation OF th'
gnst, and to gave animals from it
rapacity"
In regard to the Grst part OF THU
question it can be stated that NJ
chemical insecticides have been trieC
to any extent, owing to the fact tina
. the heavy rains have made a critica
observation of their effects impossi
; BILE. Az soon as the water become
{ low and clear spain, various insect
cidss, such as unslaGSed lime, kerosen
emulsion, bi-sulphide of carbon
) extract of black walnut, china bel
3 ries, tobacco, soap and others will b,
tried. All these chemical means T.
destroy the larvae will be OF second
, sry importance, since they are al
more or lesI expensive, too much g
I, to fulfill the conditions Of good in
, sectioide. Since it has been foun'
!, that the early stages of this insect RI
quire water in rapid motion, and tina
I stagnant water will kill them
: cheap remedy suggests itself, aa
! all the supply of guats in thi
immediate vicinity can be killed on
/, by simply iaking out OF our stream
all old leaves. TIL can be doue 6
:, any time in the year when the waite
: in them is very low. OF course cor
: certed action is necessary to produC
= the desired result In regard 10 IN
, second part OF the question notbiu
. has been done as yet. II the buffsl
gnats appear il will be the aim of tn
/, agent to try various remedies this
: suggest themselves, because the usua
method OF protecting stock by oil an
grease is almost al bad rs the gls
! itself by weakening their const
\ tuition. II is impossible st this stag
of the investigation to forecast whI
: effect other insecticides may have.
would be advisable ii any swans 81
pear in this region to notify ma 1
once by letter directed in care OF th
= APPEAL. The developments OF tn
next two weeks may bring about II
sults that will enable me to epea