BULLETIN 251 



SOLUBLE POISONS IN THE POISONED BAIT SPRAY 



TO CONTROL THE ADULT OF THE 



APPLE MAGGOT {RHAGOLETIS 



POMONELLA WALSH).'' 



HSNRY H. p. SEV^RIN.f 



For a period of ten years a number of Italian entomologists 

 have been experimenting with various methods of baiting and 

 a large nvimber of different formulas of poisoned baits to 

 control the olive fruit fly {Dacus oleae Rossi) and at present 

 a cheap and practical remedy is used to combat this insect. 

 After the Italian naturalists demonstrated the effectiveness of 

 the poisoned bait, French entomologists also tested the different 

 methods declared a success in Italy to control the olive fruit 

 fly. After a period of five years, French scientists gave a 

 striking demonstration of the remarkable success of the poi- 

 soned bait spray. South African entomologists, apparently 

 unaware of the work of the Italian naturalists started in 1903, 

 began to spray with poisoned diluted molasses to control the 

 Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata Wied.) in the season 

 of 1904-5. This work was carried on for a period of five years 

 and during this time a decisive demonstration of the success of 

 this insecticide was given under South African conditions. 

 The same remedial measures have been adopted in other parts 

 of the world to control the Mediterranean fruit fly. 



Poisone;d Bait Studies in America. 



Within recent years similar control measures have been 

 started in the United States and Canada against the adult of 



♦Papers from the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station : Ento- 

 mology No. 86. 

 tMember of the Station Summer Staff in 1914 and 191 5. 



