ST. HELENA 147 



patch and specimens of an insect received from the Acting-Governor 

 of St. Helena. 



2. At my request the insect has been identified by Mr. W. F. H. 

 Blandford, F.R.S., as a dipterous fly (Ceratitis capitata), known in 

 Malta and elsewhere as the orange fly. In addition, Mr. Blandford 

 has prepared a useful summary of information respecting its dis- 

 tribution and the best means for treating it. This is enclosed 

 herewith. 



3. It is probable that the fly has been destructive to fruit crops 

 in St. Helena for many years. Hence this interesting island is 

 practically destitute of many tropical fruits that in other places 

 afford a considerable addition to the food supply of the inhabi- 

 tants. If Mr. Blandford's suggestions are fully carried out there 

 is little doubt that it may be possible to lessen the ravages of the 

 insect and save a good deal of fruit that is at present destroyed 

 It is, however, necessary to secure the intelligent co-operation of 

 the people and carry on experiments for two or three years in order 

 to produce satisfactory results. 



I am, etc., 

 (Signed) W. T. THISELTON DYER. 



EDWARD WINGFIELD, Esq., B.C.L., C.B., 

 Colonial Office, Downing Street, S.W. 



NOTES ON A DIPTEROUS INSECT DESTRUCTIVE TO PEACHES IN 



ST. HELENA. 



This insect, of which I have received specimens in alcohol, for- 

 warded to the Royal Gardens, Kew, by the Acting-Governor of 

 St. Helena, is Ceratitis capitata, Wied, commonly but less accurately 

 referred to as Ceratitis citriperda, Macd., the well known orange fly. 



The insect is a very characteristic and easily recognizable form, 

 distinguished amongst other features by the presence, on the head 

 of the male, of two long hairs ending in lozenge-shaped plates. 

 A great deal has been written about it, but for present purposes 

 I have not thought it necessary to do more than refer to the more 

 recent writings on the subject. 



The fly has a very wide range in warm countries, having been 

 recorded from South Africa, Mauritius, the Azores and other 

 Atlantic islands, including Bermuda, Central America, etc. A. S. 

 European species, C. hispanica, Breme, is probably identical with 

 it, and one of the two species (if there be two) has been very de- 

 structive to the orange crop in Malta. 



According to Penzig, the Mediterranean species is found in Spain, 

 Algiers, Sicily, Italy and Malta, and is distinct from C. capitata. 

 From information given in Insect Life, iii. p. 6, it appears that 

 a commission was appointed in Malta, which is stated to have 

 issued a report in 1890. 



About the year 1866, the late entomologist, Edward Newman, 

 found a ceratitis, then identified as C. citriperda, very destructive to 



