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Observations on the attack of this pest on watermelons indicate 

 that the very young melons are chosen for oviposition since the 

 rind or skin is tender and capable of penetration. Newly laid 

 eg-gs have been found in melons varying in size from the time 

 of setting of the fruit to three inches in length. The writer has 

 visited infested fields where it has been practically impossible to 

 find a melon within that size, not egg-infested, unless protected 

 in such a manner that the fly could not reach the surface. Larger 

 melons are found newly infested, but the point of incision is, in 

 this case, near the more tender stem end. This is speaking only 

 of watermelons, and undoubtedly mushmelons and cucumbers 

 are capable of becoming infested much later in their growth. 

 In a field where an epidemic of the fly exists the large melons 

 contain the larvae in all stages of development, the melons like- 

 wise showing all stages of decay. Since the enemy is an internal 

 ■ feeder, a correct estimate of the damage cannot be gained by a 

 passing observation. Many melons, perfect in shape, are found^ 

 completely rotted upon being opened, with the exception of the 

 rind. Even in cases where the attack is resisted, the result is a 

 deformed product unfit for the market. 



The vines, as well as the fruit, are infested. This is especially 

 true if the growth is succulent. The vines are usually infested 

 in the larger portions near the crown. During wet weather the 

 decay of the fruit and vines progresses more rapidly. In dry 

 weather, the vines, as a rule, survive the attack and the wounded 

 portion heals over. After hatching from the egg, the larvae 

 burrow on into the tissue of the melon, feeding entirely on the 

 interior. When removed from the melon, the larvae have a 

 peculiar mode of locomotion, or possibly protection, — they double 

 themselves together and then, suddenly straightening them- 

 selves out, are thrown quite a distance into the air and a distance 

 of several feet from the place they occupied. When fully de- 

 veloped the larvae leave the infested fruit or vines and enter the 

 soil directly beneath where, at a distance of an inch or so from 

 the surface, they pupate. 



The remedies have thus far been preventive. The time of 

 planting has no special significance since the fly is in evidence 

 throughout the year and the varied list of food-plants insures a 

 continuous chance for breeding, even though one or more of the 

 crops it infests is discontinued for a season. The short life- 

 cycle provides for several generations during the growth of one 



