INSECTS INJURIOUS TO MEATS 291 



occupied about one week. In this case then the life 

 cycle occupied between three and four weeks. Probably 

 the stages were prolonged by the lower temperature. 

 The flies are certainly more active and more injurious 

 during the hottest part of summer. 



H. F. Kessler has also made careful observations on the 

 life history of this insect in Europe. He found that the 

 average time for the production of a generation of the flies 

 was between four and five weeks and that there were two 

 or three generations during the season. He found that 

 the insect passed the winter as puparia and that the flies 

 emerged the following spring in May. Other observers 

 say that the adult flies hide in secluded nooks and live 

 over the winter. 



Methods of control. — Cheeses, when made at home, 

 should be carefully examined every day, especially in the 

 months of August and September. The checks and cracks 

 should be kept filled with particles of cheese that have 

 been crushed smooth in order to work into the crevices nicely. 

 The bandages should be tight about the edges and should 

 fit smoothly. By greasing the outsides of the cheeses 

 and by turning them and examining them every day 

 they can be kept free from skippers. 



Infested portions of cheeses may be cut out and thrown 

 away. When pieces of infested cheese are obtained from 

 the grocer, they may be returned. 



Hams are usually found to be infested only in certain 

 portions and the remaining portions usually remain sweet 

 and wholesome. Fortunately, the presence of the skippers 

 does not induce decay and putrescence. The infested 

 parts of the meat may then be cut out and thrown away 

 while the remainder may be safely used for food. 



