The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-02-08
Buffalo Gnats.

During q short visit to the Wabash Val
ley in Illinois last spring, the writer heard
much complaint Of injury to stock from
Buffalo gnats, says the Prairie Farmer.
These insects are discussed by DR.. G.. V.
Riley at length in the report Of the United
Stetes Department of Agriculture, from
which we take the following paragraphs
For many years past one of the greatest
insect foes the stock-raisers Of the Lower
Mississippi Valley have had to contend
with has been the so-called Southern Buff.
falo gnat. This insect is small fly, close
~ related to the well-known "black fy''
of the North, the famous "Colum5acz
gnat," of Hungary, and the other less
known but as noxious species of the genus
Simuligm, found abuDdautlv in Lapland
Brazil and Australia. These flies swarm at
certain seasons in immense numbers, and
by their bite, multiplied Thousand fold,
cause destruction among mules. horses,
cattle, hogs, sheep aud poultry.
The popular name, Buffalo gnat, has
not been chosen because these gnats ever
attacked the animal of the name,
but becapseof a fapcied resemblance
to the shape Of the same. Looking
at the insect from the side, it re-
Yeals a very large, hump-backed thorax,
with the head-furnished with two short
antennR, like miniature horns-in the act
of butting an enemy. The name "Tur-
key gnat," however, has been given to one
of the species concerned. because il ap-
pears at TINA when turkeys are setting
and suffer so much by them. Goose
gnst'' is name similarly used for the
came insect.
Smudges have thus far proved the best
method of protecting animals in the field
against buffalo gnAts. Thoughtful plant
ers are in the habit of collecting and stor
ing during the year all kinds Of material
that will produce a dense and sitting
smoke; such materials are old leather,
cast-off clothing. dried dung, etc. As soon
as large swarms OF gnats appear, and the
stock is threatened by them, fires are
started in different parts of the plantation,
and are kept burning as long as the dan
ger lasts. Anything that will produce
smoke is thrown upon the smoulderiug
logs, and the most offensive is considered
the most useful. III the time for blowing
has arrived, smudges are located in the
field In such q manner that the smoke is
drifted by the wind over the teams at
work. Such smoke producing fires are also
kept burning in the cities, and they are
found IN front Of every livery and street
car stable, as well as Of such stores as en-
ploy draft horses or mules. II these ami
mails have 20 be upon the roads, they may
be somewhat protected by tin pals IN
which some smudge Is kept, which are sus
ROLoNN NS~~ ~-~~ ~@S-~~ '~~
wagons
Animals may also be protected with 9
layer Of mud or coat of strip. II hai
been found that animals which have shed
their lOush winter coat Of hair, and have
becol q smooth, are not as much troubled
as Others still covered with long hair. This
gnats find ID much more difficult to obtair
q foe aoold upon a smooth skin; clipping
of TIE hair in early spring is, therefore, ad
7isabe.
Bu Halo gnats have q great aversion Il
entt ing dark places, and stables thor
Dug y darkened are safe places for stool
OF kinds in gnst season. The odor o
ammonia prevailing in such stables ma,
also, to come extent, prevent the insect
from entering. Planters with small
acrsa age, therefore, prefer to keep thei
hoI and mules in the stable instead o
worF iUg them in the field. For the sam
rec the owners Of livery stables will no
ali their animals to be taken outside tn
CT! limits il gnats are numerous enougl
TO dangerous.
perience shows that the best prevent
Nv. grease of various kinds. The follow
inF xinds are the most Important: Cotton
se' oil alone, or mixed with tar; fish oil
gnat oil; combination OF sinking oil
aloe, or mixed with tar or kerosene oil
crude coal oil, kerosene or mixed Will
sxls-sresss and Others To be snscHvs