FRUIT FLIES 35 



numbers. If, however, a maggoty peach be put aside in 

 a box for a few weeks the flies can be reared and easily 

 observed." 



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 deposited in green bananas before 

 shipment, as no half -ripe bananas are ever shipped from 

 Queensland to Melbourne. This fly would appear to be 

 more numerous than are the other kinds here mentioned . 

 No less than 60 adult specimens have been reared at 

 our office from two specimens of the bitter or Seville 

 oranges, which had been sent from one of the northern 

 ports of Queensland. The indications of the presence of 

 the fruit-fly larvae in such fruits as the citrus family are, 

 although easily detected by the practised eye, upon the 

 whole not well defined. The skin of oranges, lemons, 

 and limes being more or less of a rough granulated 

 texture renders the task of finding the infected fruit, 

 where large consignments have to be handled, by no 

 means an easy one. 



In Victoria, at least, it is astounding with what 

 rapidity this fly destroys the fruit in the orchard, only a 

 few days, in the case of peaches, elapsing before the 

 whole of it is rendered unfit for human consumption, 

 the fruit being absolutely decomposed and discolored. 

 In Victoria, our experience has taught us that the first 

 fruit to be attacked are apricots, then peaches, then, as 

 the broods hatch from the ground, other fruits, as 

 apples, pears, persimmons, &c., are attacked in suc- 

 cession. From observations made in the field (I am 

 speaking of the north-east part of Victoria), the trouble 

 has been traced through the medium of imported fruits, 

 bananas and oranges especially, infected fruits of both 

 kinds being commonly obtainable in Melbourne, the 

 suburbs, and in the country townships. Those who 

 have carefully studied the habits of the fruit-fly are 

 aware that its flight is but short, and judging from its 



