THE MELON PLY. 



11 



Figures 1 and 10 show a common condition found in watermelon 

 fields. The female fly usually chooses the growing tip of the runners 

 in which to lay her eggs. In making a place in the vine for her eggs 

 she practically severs the tip of the vine so that it may fail to grow 



Fiu. 10. — Succulent watermelon vine sectioned to expose five well-grown larvae of the 

 melon fly which have eaten out the interior, causing the vine to wither and die hack 

 to the point of original infestation. (Authors' illustration.) 



beyond the point of injury. The growing end of the vine, however, 

 usually is ruined, for, if the egg-laying process does not cause serious 

 damage, the larvae hatching, numbering from 2 to 10, begin to feed 

 and bring about a hasty destruction. Figure 1 shows the drooping, 



