252 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



DROSOPHILID.E (Family). 



THE LESSER FRUIT FLIES. 



(Figs. 248-252.) 



Though the members of this family are of little or no importance, 

 they are considered here so as to clear up the numerous misapprehen- 

 sions that the larvae of these small flies are not those of the true fruit 

 flies {Trypetidce). We have received great numbers of the maggots 

 with inquiries concerning them. The larvae work upon soured or 

 decayed fruits and vegetables and are commonly taken on shipments of 

 bananas, thus the reason for mistaken conclusions. 



Fig. 24 8. — The eg^- of Drosoiiliila ampelophila Loew 

 at top, greatly enlarged. Larvae and pupae at bottom. 

 (Original.) 



The adults are usually small, yellowish flies with bright red eyes. 

 They are common throughout the entire summer, hovering around 

 pickled, preserved or sound fruits, decayed vegetables, etc., though the 

 larvae of one species is a leaf miner. A typical insect illustrating the 

 habits and life history is the lesser fruit fly, a description of which 

 follows. 



