177 



mountain apple on the slopes and in the valleys, but also fleshy- 

 seeds of indig'enous trees, most of which latter are jvist as sus- 

 ceptible or adaptable to the pest as is the kamani and coffee 

 berry of the lower lands, two of the most infected fruits grow- 

 ing in the Territory. However, as before stated, results as to 

 artificial methods of control in any one region will be in pro- 

 portion to the amount continuously appropriated for the work, 

 provided that the latter is conducted under the well accepted 

 methods of other countries and that unity and cooperation is 

 at all possible. 



The only hope I have, as has been repeatedly stated in pre- 

 vious reports, is in the discovery of a specific parasite. To find, 

 introduce and successfully establish such a parasite would be 

 worth the best part of any one large appropriation which 

 either this Territory or Congress would set aside for clean cul- 

 ture methods. With the successful establishment of such a 

 beneficial insect, nature's methods would accomplish much 

 more in a general way of perfect control than we can ever ex- 

 pect by the usual artificial methods, more particularly if both 

 of these were combined in a systematic and scientific manner. 

 To this end every effort should be made to push the entomo- 

 logical research work in suitable tropical countries where this 

 particular species of fruit fly is known to have its habitat in 

 exceedingly small numbers. Such work, to be successful from 

 a scientific and economic standpoint, should only be under- 

 taken by entomologists of the highest order and who have had 

 previous experience in successful work of a similar nature. 

 In Dr. Silvestri, who is already preparing for the field, we 

 ha\e one of these men, and the very best authorities indicate 

 tropical West Africa (wdiere he is going) as the most suitable 

 place to explore for a parasite of the Mediterranean fruit fly. 

 If later on funds are available, I believe it would be money well 

 spent to assist this research work by the addition of another 

 equally good economic entomologist and have him sent to an- 

 other section of Africa where the fruit fly is not known to be 

 a pest but exists only in small numbers. It is quite possible 

 that in such a locality the fly is being controlled by either a 

 parasite or predaceous enemy, either of wdiich might be found 

 to some extent suitable to our requirements. Of course, such 

 parasitic research work (particularly that of the Mediterranean 

 fruit fly) is altogether problematical as to results, but the Ter- 

 ritory has already succeeded on similar lines under private 

 organization, and there is no reason why, under government 

 auspices and with sufficient funds, a proportionate amount of 

 success should not be obtained. In any case it would be set- 

 tled once and for all whether future search for such a parasite was 

 to be negative in results. The success of such work to a very 

 great extent depends on the selection of the entomologist, not 

 only for the field work, but also as to those who handle the 

 material after it arrives safely at its destination. For obvious 



