7G 



in the Province of Naples and on material from other parts of Italy^ 



gives a systematic description of all stages of this fly ; Corfu, Spain 



and Portugal are additional coimtries where it is known to occur. 



The larva hves in the inflorescences and fruit of Ficus carica, both in 



the Capri fig and domestic fig, but preferably in the former. In Algeria 



it is also found in Ficus pseudocarica. The adult appears in autunm, 



and it is in this stage that the insect seems to hibernate. The adult 



feeds on sugary substances and is a strong flier. In the Portici district 



newly-laid eggs were found in the inflorescences of the Capri fig from 



April to November and in those of some varieties of the domestic fig 



from May to October. The eggs are deposited under the scales at the 



aperture of the inflorescence either singly or more, usually three in 



number. In and after May a larger number of eggs, sometimes up to 



one hmidred, may be found, but these have probably been laid by 



several females. Inflorescences abandoned by the larvae fall, either 



at once or after a short time ; in the latter case eggs are occasionally 



deposited through the larval exit-hole inside the larval gallery. In 



April the egg hatches in eight days, this period being reduced to three 



days in sunamer. The method of feeding varies according to the variety 



of fig ; in the case of the Capri fig the larva may enter the exit-hole 



left by Blastophaga and proceed to the galls formed by it, feeding on 



their soft interior. The larval stage lasts from seven days in August 



to 24 days in April. Pupation rarely takes place in the fruit, the usual 



situation being about 1-^ inches deep in the ground. The pupal stage 



lasts 10 days in May, 9-10 in August, and 16 at the end of October 



and early in November. The adults from eggs laid early in April 



appear towards the end of May and from the eggs of this first generation 



the second generation is produced at the end of June or early in July. 



The third, fourth and fifth generations appear in July, August and 



September ; during the first two months the life-cycle takes only 



19-20 days. There is a sixth generation in August and September, 



As the adults live about a month and continue to deposit eggs the 



generations become mingled. The injury is caused by the larva 



feeding on the styles, ovaries, flower-peduncles and parenchyma of the 



walls of the interior in inflorescences and in the fruit. Inflorescences 



that have been well infected by BlastojjJiaga are not injured, as the 



LoncJiaea larvae are crushed in the distal pai^t of the gall-bearing 



flowers. In the case of a Capri fig plant with fruit, young inflorescences, 



and inflorescences with gall-bearing flowers, L. aristella oviposits only 



in the two first-named. The Capri fig is the preferred host-plant and of 



it the varieties with an elongate, ovoid fruit and well-developed 



receptacle are best adapted for the development of this insect. The 



loss as regards the Capri fig is not extensive because of the protection 



afi'orded by Blastophaga, but the domestic fig suffers severely ; in 



some instances over 50 per cent, of the inflorescences have fallen from 



this cause. 



The pupae of L. aristella are parasitised by Pachyneuron vindemmiae. 

 Pond., which is also an enemy of Drosophila ampelophila. Only pupae 

 on the surface of the ground or at a slight depth are attacked and this 

 parasite is therefore of little use. Poisons are not recommended 

 aga,inst L. aristella, and the collection and destruction of infested fallen 

 fruit will reduce the infestation to a small extent only. The 

 cultivation of susceptible fig varieties, which vary in difierent districts,. 



