METALLIC TOMATO FLY. 23 



contradicted, viz., that it will attack bananas. It is, 

 therefore, necessary that we should carefully examine 

 these fruits on their arrival in our State. It would be a 

 difficult matter to place a limit on the numbers of different 

 kinds of fruit that the fruit flies will attack, so that we 

 cannot be too careful regarding imported fruit from 

 Queensland and elsewhere. 



It would be interesting to know, if possible, some of the 

 details of the over-wintering of Lonchcea and insects of a 

 somewhat similar kind. Many a time the larva of this fly 

 in tomatoes has been mistaken for those of the genuine 

 fruit fly, but we are glad to find that our determined stand 

 when the Mediterranean Fly (H. capitata) made its appear- 

 ance here, has led to the very best results. 



Prevention and Remedies. 



All tomato plantations should be kept free of weeds and 

 rubbish of any kind. The land should be constantly 

 stirred, and never allowed to become either too dry or too 

 wet, so that the plants may be kept in full vigour. In 

 small garden patches, fine mesh nets could be used, but on 

 larger areas an occasional spraying with quassia chips as 

 a preventive should be carefully and consistently given. 



It is somewhat unfortunate for Victorian growers that 

 the Chinese, although most successful vegetable gardeners, 

 are indifferent to our recommendations, and, unless abso- 

 lutely compelled, will rarely take the precautions necessary 

 to protect their gardens or orchards from the inroads of 

 this or other pests, and thus it happens that these are some 

 of the principal breeding-places, both for insect pests and 

 also for those of fungus origin. 



When tomatoes, &c., are found to be affected with the 

 grubs of this fly no time should be lost, and a gathering up 

 of all infested fruits, tubers, &c., should be at once resorted 

 to. These should be boiled, and fed to either pigs or 

 fowls, but in no case should affected fruit, &c., be given 



