THE MELON FLY. 



15 



prevents secondary decays from starting, and these bring about the 

 destruction of such portions as escape the larva?. The sectioned 

 pumpkin in figure 17 shows how a colony of larvae may eat into a 

 young fruit, become full grown, and leave it without causing a com- 

 plete destruction. It also shows how smaller, weaker colonies may 

 develop in the outer portion of the pulp. 



INJURY TO OTHER FRUITS. 



Complete destruction of fruits by larvse of the melon fly rarely 

 occurs after they have become 4 to 5 inches in diameter, for then 



Fig. 14. — Buds of male flowers of pumpkin damaged by larva? of melon fly, a, t, and c 

 representing various stages in the destruction of the bloom. (Authors' illustration.) 



the portion of the fruit containing the seeds, or the part preferred 

 by the larvae, is well protected by the outer meaty pulp and by the 

 rind. Such colonies of larvae as are then able to become established 

 in pumpkins and squashes usually develop in the outer portions of 

 the fruit and do not penetrate to the center. In cantaloupes, water- 

 melons, cucumbers, and marrows, however, the larvae more easily may 

 work their way down to the softer, central portions and there com- 

 plete their development, while the outer portion of the fruit remains 

 quite firm. Figure 19 (p. 20) shows the cross section of a water- 

 melon that had the general external appearance of being sound. 



