THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT-FLY. 11 



I would further report that coffee berries, varieties of orauge. loquats, 

 varieties of Engenia, and Kamani seeds appear to be among the worst-infested 

 fruits so far examined. 



The above records indicate the omnivorous character of the pest 

 and leave no doubt that when once introduced into a locality where 

 proper temperature conditions exist it will be able to maintain itself 

 without difficidty. Its life history in Bermuda, as stated by T. I. 

 Harris, director of the public gardens, in the Bermuda Colonist for 

 the 12th of August, 1907, may be quoted in this connection. It will 

 be recalled that the pest Avas introduced into Bermuda many years 

 ago: 



Though the great variety of fruiting trees growing here is insutfieient to 

 furnish propagating media for flies throughout tlie whole year, each successive 

 generation making use of a different kind i)f fruit, without doubt the Surinam 

 cherry (Eugenia michelii) has been the most potent factor in perpetuating the 

 pest. There are two main crops of fruit, one in the spring and another in the 

 fall, but stragglers between each cause the two crops to overlap. 



The loquats {Eriobotrya jnponica), ripening in February and March, are 

 used by the fruit flies of the year, from the puparia that have lived dormant in 

 the ground during the two coldest months, and the larvae hatched from the eggs 

 of these flies begin to pupate before the loquats are all over. In some instances 

 this year, where the fruit had been pecked by birds and had shrivelled on the 

 trees, complete pupse were foinid within the fruit. At the end of April and 

 during May. the peach, cherry, oranges (both sweet and sour), lerflous and limes, 

 Barbados gooseberry, and caiisicums bring forth another crop of maggots that, 

 after pupation, are just in time for the sapodillas in June and July. Following 

 these are the mangoes, coffee, sweet peppers, cherries again, avocado pears, 

 guavas, sugar apples, cherimoyas, quinces, cocoa-plum, grenadillas, and star 

 apples, which serve as propagating media until the final resting brood goes to 

 earth during December. 



Wliile the general feeding habits of the fruit-fly render a complete 

 list of fruits attacked of secondary importance, yet it is desirable 

 to know from what fruit it has actually been reared, or which have 

 been noted as infested. 



The evidence of infestation in the case of bananas is not as con- 

 clusive as is desirable, especially as to whether the fruit in a green 

 condition as gathered for shipment is infested. As recorded by 

 French (Journ. Agr., 1907, p. 302) the larvae of this fly were found 

 in bananas imported from Queensland, on August 14, 1900, and the 

 perfect insect reared. The same author, in his Hand Book of the 

 Destructive Insects of Victoria (vol. 4, p. 35), says: 



It has been frequently stated in Queensland and New South Wales, that the 

 flies will not attack green fruit. This is a mistake, as I have on many occasions 

 proved eggs to have been deix)sited in green bananas before shipment, as no 

 half-ripe bananas are ever shipjied from Queensland to Melbourne. 



On the other hand, the Hawaiian entomologists have not found the 

 insect attacking bananas, and believe that in the green condition in 

 which it is gathered the fruit is not subject to attack. Eipe baiumas 

 are, however, unquestionably infested. 



