The Fruit and Gall Flies 



mass, in the center of which is the plump, white maggot of this 

 fly. A famous member of this family is known as Ceratitis 

 capitata, which damages peaches and other fruit in different parts 

 of the world. It is common and injurious in Bermuda, but, 

 fortunately, has not established itself in the United States. An- 

 other Trypetid fly which does great damage is Anastrepha ludens, 

 the larva of which is known as the Morelos orange fruit worm. 

 It bores into the pulp of oranges, and renders them unfit for 

 eating purposes. These worms are frequently found in Mexican 

 oranges which are brought into the United States in the early fall 

 before the California oranges come on the market. California 

 orange growers are greatly alarmed at the prospect that this 

 insect may be imported into their orange groves and establish 

 itself there, and they are trying to induce Congress to pass a law 

 by which the Secretary of Agriculture shall be empowered to 

 quarantine against Mexican oranges. This would be by no 

 means the first instance in which insect damage has caused 

 national legislation. 



The larva of Trypeta fr atria Loew mines the leaves of 

 parsnip in many parts of the country. 



178 



