DIPTERA 315 



Merodon equestris, Meig. Narcissus Fly 



In 1906 narcissus bulbs imported from Britain were found to be 

 infested with this fly. Originally found in Invercargill, it has since 

 been met with in Auckland, and is probably occasionally introduced. 

 Recently (1918) some bulbs were received from Japan which were 

 infested by the larvae of this or an allied species, but as they did not 

 develop beyond the pupal stage the species could not be determined. 



Family MUSCIDJE ACALYPTRATVE 

 Drosophila ampelophila, Loew. Fruit Fly ; Pomace Fly 



This European species was first noticed by Captain Broun in 

 1904. It has become very common, especially at seaports where fruit 

 is introduced, and is particularly partial to bananas, oranges, and 

 pineapples, which it attacks whether they are bruised or not. Some 

 idea of the frequency of this and other allied species of flies may be 

 gathered from the following statement. 



In 1910-1 1 the following cases of fruit imported into New Zealand 

 were condemned and destroyed for fruit-fly maggot: 



Total imported Destroyed 



Auckland 299,249 cases 848 cases 



Wellington 305,050 987 



Christchurch 62,332 255 



Dunedin 58,633 273 



Bluff 10,338 9 



Mr Howes considers that the term " fruit-fly " should be confined 

 to those flies which attack growing fruits. The Drosophilidae are 

 usually known as "Vinegar-flies," and attack rotting vegetable matter 

 and over-ripe fruit. He adds: 



Fruit-flies have been bred from apparently perfectly sound fruit. On 

 the other hand many fruits with accidental bruises and perforations prove, 

 on examination, not to be infected. I have seen fruit- flies inside a Chinese 

 fruit-shop in Lambton Quay, Wellington, crawling up the glass. It might 

 be possible to establish these flies in the North Island, but not in the colder 

 parts of the south. 



Dacus psidii, Froggatt. Guava Fruit Fly 



According to the Agricultural Department's report for 1908, this 

 species is frequently found in fruit imported from Northern New 

 South Wales. It has apparently not become established in New 

 Zealand. 



Tephrites xanthodes, Broun 



Introduced from Suva on pineapples ; and from Tonga and Raro- 

 tonga on oranges, grenadillas and mummy apples. First observed 



