152 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



THE YELLOW CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY FRUIT-FLY. 



Epochra canadensis (Lcew). 



Order — Diptera. Family — Trypetidse. 



By L. A. Whitney, San Francisco. 



Although the currant and gooseberry industry of the State is not as 

 extensive as some of the other branches of horticulture, those who are 

 familiar with the conditions that obtain in most sections where these 

 fruits are grown will understand why section five of the State Quar- 

 antine Law is so rigidly enforced. While the insect referred to in this 

 paper attacks only currants and gooseberries, it is closely related to 

 various eastern and European forms, some of wdiich take a much 

 greater variety of diet than the one under consideration, and a study 



Fig. 52. — The larva of the yellow cur- 

 rant and gooseberry fruit fly, Epochra 

 canadensis. Greatly enlarged. (Original.) 



under natural conditions of this particular one will give an idea of 

 the condition to be expected of some of our other fruits should quar- 

 antine regulations be withdrawn. 



This fly is generally distributed throughout the currant and goose- 

 berry growing districts of the United States and Canada, and is 

 responsible for the unmarketable condition of much of the fruit in many 

 localities. 



The control of this family of insects is difficult indeed, as the manner 

 of attack precludes all possibility of poisoning the larvfe, as successfully 

 employed for certain otlier pests, of which the codling moth is a typical 

 example. Sweet, poisoned baits seem to be the only hopeful solution 

 of the problem, and if results similar to those obtained against the 

 apple and cherry fruit-flies in New York State can be secured, the trial 

 will certainly be worth the effort. 



Following is a general description of the egg, larva and puparium 

 from original observations, a description of the adult by Loew from the 

 Monographs of the Diptera of North America, and a resume of the 



