THE MEXICAN ORANGE MAGGOT 331 



The question which has always been uppermost in the minds of all in 

 this regard is this: Is there any possibility of danger from the importation 

 of the Morelos orange worm into California? The Mexican ex-commission 

 of parasitology have always maintained that there is not any such danger, 

 because of our colder winters and lack of continuous fruit. Perhaps they 

 are right in this statement, but since no proof of it has ever been made, and, 

 further, since the flies have been bred and kept alive in an Eastern winter 

 showing that they can survive cold, the best thing that we in this state can 

 do is to increase our watchfulness against its first appearance. It is quite 

 probable that further studies on its life-history will reveal the fact that a 

 dormant period is sometimes passed through, for otherwise it simply could 

 not exist in certain of the places investigated in the past summer. Further- 

 more, it could easily develop a dormant period here, or else adapt itself to 

 feeding on other fruits as it is claimed to have done in Mexico. In anv 

 case the danger from it is very real. While it exists in Mexico there is danger 

 of its appearance here at any day. Fruit, often with the maggots, is con- 

 stantly being brought into the country in the lunch basket or the suit case, 

 and this may be the means of its introduction. Every horticultural conirn-.^- 

 sioner and inspector should be familiar with the fly and its maggot in oracr 

 to discover and report its appearance at the earliest moment possible. This 

 means that only thoroughly competent men should be placed in office as 

 commissioners, and that the citrus inspection should be made ivhat it ought 

 to be, instead of the mere perfunctory and superficial c.vcusc for inspection 

 which it now is in too many places. 



Moreover, while the pest exists, one of the chief concerns of both coun- 

 tries should be to wipe out the trouble and thus eliminate a great pest Troni 

 the one country and the possible danger of it from the other. Mexico con- 

 tains some of the finest orange and mango lands in the world, and it is 

 possible for these industries to be brought to a high state of development 

 there, so that it would be to the immense advantage of Mexico in several ways 

 for her government to attack this problem most energetically. If competent 

 men were actually sent into the field and backed by sufficient money and 

 authority, and help from the growers, the desired object could be accomplished 

 in a comparatively short time. The citrus industry in Mexico has a great 

 future only with this pest stamped out, and California wishes her well in the 

 coming development of th'is industry. 



The great and immediate danger from the maggot is to the citrus groi'cs 

 of Texas. New Me.vico, and Arizona. If it is permitted to gain access to these 

 states, then it wilt become increasingly difficult to keep it out of California. 

 This is certainly a case for united State and Federal action, if there ever 

 zvas one. 



Mr. Jeft'rey, State Horticultural Commissioner, in a recent letter con- 

 cerning the maggot says : "Texas is now maintaining a strict quarantine 

 at Laredo and El Paso against this pest in particular. The horticultural au- 

 thorities are co-operating with the customs service and are exercising great 



