Eighth Report of the State Entomologist. 



145 



torily explained. Had there been absolutely no fruit in which the 

 larv?e could have fed within reach of the flight of the parent midge at 

 the time for its oviposition, the species would probably have been 

 exterminated within that locality, for it is not known to occur in any 

 other fruit than the pear. It is possible, however, that if there should 

 be in any year no pear-blossoms to receive the eggs, that the midge 

 might resort to apple trees for oviposition, and thus originate a new 

 food-plant for its perpetuation. This consideration may have a bearing 

 in the direction of methods for the extermination of the pest. 



Deformation of the Infested Fruit. 

 The presence of the larvfe within the fruit causes it to enlarge and 

 swell out irregularly, assuming vai'ious forms, — the most marked and 

 striking of which are represented in the accompanying illustration. 



f'ig. 8 — Young pears deformed by the pear- midge larvae — natural size. (Original ) 



The more usual form observed about the 1st of June when the larvae 

 have attained maturity, is that in which the ujDper three-fourths of the 

 pear has become enlarged and swollen out into irregular protuberances, 

 and showing an abnormal color, quite in contrast with that of the 

 seemingly contracted base. 



So conspicuous are these features that every infested pear on a tree 

 can be recognized without difficulty. Any that are without distortion 

 and of normal shape, if cut op<;n, would be found entirely free from 

 attack. 



19 



