DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA: 



The only specimens of these species that have been 

 bred in our office are those in over-ripe or decaying 

 bananas, and other northern fruits that have been con- 

 demned on our wharves, and would, before our regulations 

 came into force, have been sent all over the back 

 country. I am therefore of the opinion that the reason 

 why this fruit-fly has not been found close into Sydney 

 is that the spread of diseased bananas has been controlled 

 by our fruit inspectors . The maggots are always found in 

 over-ripe or decaying fruit or cracked bananas, and 

 these are the ones that should be discarded as soon as 

 the bunches are looked over. When the inspection of 

 fruit first came into force, it was stated that the fruit- 

 fly bred in the decayed stalks of the bananas ; but when 

 these maggots were placed under observation, they 

 proved to be very distinct and harmless larvae producing 

 slender and long-legged flies belonging to another 

 family.* The chief distinction between this and other 

 fruit-fly maggots is that the fruit-fly has two rows, on 

 either side of the last segment, of little spiral reddish- 

 brown processes (anal respiratory tubes). They all 

 have the same cylindrical body thickening towards the 

 tip, and the same curious black toothed mandibles. 

 The perfect fly has clear transparent wings, with stout 

 reddish nervures, and the general colour is reddish - 

 brown with yellow markings. The body with its tapering 

 waist and pointed body gives it a somewhat wasp-like 

 appearance." 



Mr. H. Try on, Government Entomologist of Queens- 

 land, has had exceptional opportunities of observing the 

 habits of this fruit fly, and, as we require all possible 

 information of a reliable character concerning this pest, 

 I quote Mr. Try on 's remarks on his personal observation 

 in the natural home of this particular species of fly, as 

 also of the same insect when in confinement. 



Mr. Try on says " The eggs of this species are just 

 large enough to be seen upon a dark background by the 



"We have found the larvae of the true fruit fly in the rough end of a banana stem, C.F, 



