Thk Mally Fruit Fly Remedy. 859 



THE MALLY FRUIT FLY REMEDY. 



For the Prevention of Maggots in Fruit by the 

 Destruction of the Parent Flies before eggs are 

 laid. 



There are two closely related flies in South Africa, one a native 

 species, the other introduced from abroad. The native species pre- 

 dominates in Xatal, the introduced in tlie Cape and Free State, and 

 both abound in the Transvoal. Both flies are brio-htly coloured and 

 in g^eneral appearance similar to one another ; they are somewhat 

 smaller Dian house flies with iridescent spotted wings, shining metallic 

 eyes, and grey and yellow-brown bodies. Together they are spoken 

 of as fruit flies, and constitute one of the principal fruit pests of 

 South Africa. Almost all kinds of fruit are attacked, more especialh' 

 apricots, jjeaches, nectarines, apples, pears, quinces, mangoes, guavas, 

 and oranges. The damage begins when the female fly deposits its 

 eggs in the fruit, from which come the well-known maggots that spoil 

 the fruit for ordinary purposes. 



Fruit flies are very ])rolific, and during the summer months a 

 generation will mature about every four weeks. It is therefore easy 

 to account for the great abundance of maggots during the summer, 

 when stone fruits are abundant. During autumn and winter — the 

 citrus season — they do not develop so rapidly. Under natural condi- 

 tions they are no doubt able to wait for some time for fruit to ripen. 



Experience in South Africa has shown that by persistently using 

 the Mally Fruit Fly Eeniedy, fruit growers in town and country 

 alike need not suffer the loss of their fruit on account of the fruit fly. 



The remedy consists in sprinkliiig a very small quantity of 

 poisoned bait — a dilute syrup rendered poisonous by the addition of 

 arsenate of lead — at frequent intervals over the trees whose fruit it is 

 designed to protect. The remedy acts by fatally poisoning the flies 

 that would otherwise sting tlie fruit and deposit eggs that would 

 develop into maggots and -spoil the fruit. The bait sliould be pre- 

 pared as follows : — 



Sugar, 2h lb. or 25 lb. 



Arsenate of lead (paste). 3 oz. or 2 lb. 



Water, 4 gallons or 40 gallons. 



The lesser quantities are for a paraffin tin. the I'lrger for a barrel. 

 The arsenate of lead should be thoroughly mixed with a small quantity 

 of water and then stirred into the bulk. The sugar may be poured into 

 the full amount of water and stirred till it is all dissolved. The pro- 

 portion of arsenate of lead is more than ample to ensure the death of 

 flies that take the bait, and is about as much as can be used with 

 safety to the foliage of peach trees. Eain-water (from an ordinary 

 tank) is prefeiable to that from a stream. 



'Made as recommended the bait does not attract bees to an appreci- 

 able extent, but house flies and a number of other species feed on it to 

 their destruction. 



