32 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



fruit. After having rested in the soil as papae for about 

 twelve days the flies hatch and make their way to the 

 surface and continue their destructive work." 



The following is an account of some experiments, 

 dealing with the Mediterranean fly, which were carried 

 out by the Assistant Entomologist (Mr. C. French, jun.) 

 and myself during 1906. The results of similar experi- 

 ments made by Inspector Farrell at my request are also 

 given. 



The larvae of this fly were found in bananas imported 

 from Queensland on the 14th August, and, on being- 

 placed in the breeding jars, pupated on the 20th August ; 

 the perfect insects emerged on the 4th October and lived 

 for several weeks; water, with a little sugar added, 

 being the food placed at their disposal. Larvae were 

 detected in oranges from Maryborough (Queensland) on 

 the 19th September, and pupated on the 24th September ; 

 the perfect insects commenced to emerge on the 26th 

 October, and continued emerging till the 30th. On the 

 2nd November several cases of Seville oranges were sent 

 from Sydney. These were badly infested with larvae of 

 the Mediterranean fruit fly ; on being placed in the 

 breeding jars they pupated on the 6th November, and the 

 perfect insects were hatched out on the 3rd December. 

 No less than sixty flies were hatched from two Seville 

 oranges, and the perfect flies lived ten days without 

 food. The Mediterranean fly has also been reared from 

 tomatoes sent from Queensland. The larvae of the fly 

 curl up and by a muscular movement jump fully one 

 foot. I placed various fruits with these flies, but could 

 not get them to deposit eggs in them. 



These flies are very active at night if exposed to light, 

 and possibly might be attracted by placing a lamp 

 amongst the trees, the lamp to be placed in kerosene. 



Inspector Farrell reports the results of his investi- 

 gations in connection with the Mediterranean Fruit-Fly 

 and its habits as follows: " I placed fully-grown larvae 

 in a jar on the 12th February. Flies hatched out on 



