176 INSECTS AFFECTING THE ORANGE. 



however, been ascertained that these beetles only attack the orauge 

 when the rind has been raptured by accident or disease, or when it is 

 softened by decay. 



Carpophilus mutilatus (Fab.; Plate XIV, Fig. 5) is dull red-brown, 

 with the disk of the wing-covers lighter; the latter do not reach the end 

 of the body, and leave the last two joints exposed to view. The length 

 of the aduit is 2.8""" (iVo i^'^l^)- 



The larva has a rather long, cylindrical body divided into simpk', 

 riugs or joints ; tli« color is dull white, v/ith the head and first joint of 

 the body brown ; the last joint terminates in a pair of notched spines or 

 conical projecti ous toothi d at the base. 



Epurcca (Vfttiva (Linn. ; Plate XIV, Fig. 6) is shining, uniformly yellow- 

 ish brown; the wing-covers nearly cover the body, leaving only the tip 

 of the last joint exposed. The insect is smaller than the preceding; 

 length, 2.2»"' (jfo inch). 



The habits of these two beetles are very similar and they are always 

 found together, although the Epuraea is usually present in greater num- 

 bers than the Carpophilus. 



In September they appear in great numbers in every grove where 

 rotting fruit is allowed to remain upon the ground. The active larva^, 

 as well as the perfect insects, soon swarm in the rotting fruit, and being 

 active in flight, the beetles seek out and penetrate the split or injured 

 fruit even upon the trees. 



They can, however, scarcely be considered injurious insects, as they 

 are not capable of penetrating the fruit of their own accord, but merely 

 take advantage of any chance opening to gain admittance to the pulp. 

 The effect of their attack is simply to hasten by some hours the decay 

 which inevitably follows auj^ external injury to^he rind. 



The pupse are formed in the earth ; those of Epurrea just beneath the 

 surface, and those of Carpophilus at a depth of several inches. They 

 occupy small oval cavities made by the movements of the larva. 



Development in these beetles is very rapid ; the interval between 

 broods does not exceed twenty-five days. Of this period, about ten 

 days is passed as larva and eight or nine days as pupa; the remaining six 

 or seven days are occupied by the beetles in coupling and ovipositing, 

 and by the hatching of the eggs. 



WINE OR POMACE FLY OF THE ORANGE. 



Associated with the two beetles mentioned above is a little pale yel- 

 low fly of a kind that is familiar to most housekeepers under the name 

 of "wine fly " or "vinegar fly." It has a rosy-red head and brick-red 

 eyes; the joints of the abdomen are bordered above with black. Length 

 of the fly, 2.()'""' ( ^j inch). 



The maggots of this fly are found in great numbers in company with 

 the larvje of the sap-beetles in rotting oranges, through the pulp of 



