CHAP. XVII.] FLY PESTS OF CROPS. 157 



Chapter XVII. 

 FLY PESTS OF CHOI'S. 



'• Thif fresh young Hie 



. joy'd to range abroad in fresh attire, 

 Through the wide compass of the ayrie coast ; 

 And, with unwearied wings, each part t'inquirc 

 Of the wide rule <>f his renowned sire." 



VERY few Fly Pests of crops arc known in Southern India as 

 yet. although it is probable that further research will bring to light 

 many more cases of damage by these insects. In all cases it is 

 only the larva or maggot of the fly which does damage, the adult 

 insect itself being harmless. 



The Fruit Flies comprise the most numerous and important of 

 the Fly Pests and, as their name implies, they attack various 

 species of fruits, both wild and cultivated. The eggs are usually 

 thrust into the fruits whilst these are still unripe and the maggots 

 tunnel into the pulp and utterlj spoil the fruits which may be 

 turned into nothing but a crawling mass of maggots. The fruits 

 most subject to attack in this way are oranges, mangoes, peai 

 guavas, and almost all cucurbit getables such as pumpkins, 



melons, etc. 



The prompt collection of all fruit seen to be attacked, as soon 

 as the attack is noticed, and of all wind-fallen or rotting fruit lying 

 on the ground, is an obvious course to take in case of attack by 

 these flies, in order to prevent them from breeding as far as 

 possible; such fruit should be boiled or thoroughly burnt or buried 

 deeply underground with at least two feet of well-beaten earth 

 over it. In the case of valuable fruits, Mich as those intended for 

 Exhibitions, they may he protected by enclosure in muslin ba^s, 

 but these must be applied whilst the fruit is still small. If it is 

 known that fruit-trees are likely to be attacked thej maj be 

 protected to some extent bj spraying them with a mixture of 3 lb. 

 sugar, 3 oz. Lead Arsenate in 4 gallons of water. This spraying 

 should be started when tin- earliest fruits are about two-thirds 

 grown antl should be continued until all are ripe, being renewed at 

 least once a week and promptly after every shower of rain. The 

 object of this spraying is to attract and poison any female flies- 

 which may be present and which would otherwise lay their eggs 



