CITRUS FRUIT INSECTS IN MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES. 11 



LIFE CYCLE. 



No extended life-history studies were attempted or possible in the 

 time available, but such records as were kept indicate that the life 

 cycle of Ceratitis is completed in 22 or 23 days in Sicily in August. 

 Out of this total, 2 or 3 days are required for the eggs to hatch, 10 

 or 11 days for the development of the larvae, and 10 days for the 

 pupal period. Since these records were made during the warmest 

 weather they represent the minimum time for development. 



OTHER INSECTS IN ORANGES AND LEMONS LIKELY TO BE MISTAKEN 

 FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN FRUIT-FLY. 



The commonest insect occurring in decayed or overripe oranges 

 and lemons on the ground, and also occasionally on the tree, is a 

 nitidulid beetle, Carpophilus dimidiatus Fab. Larvae and adults of 

 this beetle often occur in great numbers. Usually decay has already 

 set in before the fruit is attacked, but if it remains on the ground 

 for some time the beetles will bore through the rind and they them- 

 selves cause decay. The appearance of such fruit is very much like 

 that infested by Ceratitis. The larva of Carpophilus is about the 

 same length as that of the fruit-fly, but is easily distinguished because 

 it is beetle-like and both ends are tipped with brown. Instead of 

 breaking down, lemons often dry with extremely hard, firm rind, 

 and they remain in this condition for months. Such lemons occurring 

 on tho ground are, however, frequently infested with this beetle. The 

 beetle enters the fruit where it rests on the ground by drilling holes 

 through the firm rind. 



Another common "worm" in decayed oranges and lemons is the 

 larva of a fly, Lonchaea splendida Loew. This larva is more slender 

 and of a paler color than that of the fruit-fly, but small specimens 

 are very likely to be mistaken for fruit-fly larvae; hence they must 

 be examined closely and identified by the spiracles to make sure of 

 the species. The adult fly is smaller than Ceratitis and is of a me- 

 tallic blue color,, 



Larvae of Drosophila also frequently occur in decayed oranges and 

 lemons, but, except in possible cases of very small specimens, they 

 are easily distinguished from the more robust and yellowish white 

 Ceratitis larvae. Of all the "worms" infesting oranges and lemons, 

 Ceratitis larvae are the most sluggish and slow moving, so that 

 with a little experience they may be distinguished by their move- 

 ments. 



