PEAR GNAT MIDGE. bil) 
under which it was formerly known on the Continent of Europe, and 
that of C. pyricola, of Nordlinger, should be dropped, and that of 
Diplosis pyrivora, Riley, adopted as the accepted designation. Still 
more recently, a great deal of information has been gained on the 
much more important matter of how to deal practically with the pest, 
therefore, as the notes sent me in 1896 show it is still at work, some 
further observations may be of interest. 
The ‘‘Midge”’ which causes the mischief is a very small two- 
winged gnat-like fly, only about one line (the twelfth of an inch) or a 
little more in length of body; the general appearance greyish or black. 
More in detail, when seen much magnified, and as described by Mr. 
Meade from his own very complete observations, the head is black, 
with a patch of yellow hairs, on the top of which some come forward 
over the eyes. Antenne (horns) yellowish brown, in the male about 
one-fifth longer than the whole length of the insect, in the female 
about two-thirds of the length without the oviduct. Thorax (body 
between the wings) black, and, like the face, with grey reflections; and 
seen ‘‘ from before, the hind part looks ash-grey, while the front part 
appears divided into three wide black stripes or patches, of which the 
middle one is triangular in shape, with a broad base in front, and 
tapering to a point behind where it joins the scutellum.”’ On each 
side between the central and side black patches is a row of bright 
yellow hairs; but ‘‘ viewed from behind, the whole thorax looks grey.” 
A long tuft of yellow hairs is placed above and in front of the root 
of each of the wings, and the front edge of 
the thorax is covered with short yellowish 
hairs. Abdomen dark brown, clothed with 
long whitish hairs. Halteres (poisers) with 
yellowish stalks, and clear white knobs. Wing of D. pyrivora, 
: : magnified. 
Wings dusky, clothed and deeply fringed on 
the hind margins with black hair. Legs brown, clothed with white 
hairs, more dense on the under surface.* 
I have never seen deposit of the eggs myself, but the method of 
operation is stated to be when the Pear blossom-buds are so far 
advanced as for a single petal to show itself, for the Pear Midges to 
deposit their eggs within by piercing the petal with the ovipositor, 
and laying their white longish eggs, up to as many as ten or twelve in 
number, on the anthers within the still unopened blossom-bud. They 
were also seen by Schmidberger, the chief authority on method of 
egg-laying, to pierce the outside of the blossom with the ovipositor. 
* For full and very clear description of the imago or perfect Gnat Midge of the 
D. pyrivora, from which I haye, with many thanks, extracted the above few points, 
see paper on “ Diplosis pyrivora,” by R. H. Meade, in ‘ The Entomologist,’ vol. xxi. 
pp. 123-136. London: Simpkin & Co. 1888. 
