BULLETIN 264 



LIFE HISTORY, HABITS, NATURAL ENEMIES AND 



METHODS OF CONTROL OF THE CURRANT 



FRUIT FLY (Epochra canadensis Loew) ' 



HENRY H. P. SEVERIN.2 



A number of naturalists have worked on the hfe history of 

 the currant fruit fly (Epochra canadensis Loew) but the duration 

 of all of the stages has never been determined. From a study of 

 the life cycle of this insect, a number of scientists have suggested', 

 remedies for the control of this pest but most of these recom- 

 mendations have not been previously put to a practical test. In 

 our work we endeavored to determine the duration of all of the 

 stages in the life history of the trypetid in the different fruits at- 

 tacked under Maine conditions. Some of the different measures 

 of control suggested by other workers were put to an experimen- 

 tal test, as well as other methods which we inaugurated. Ob- 

 servations were also made on the habits and behavior of the 

 adults and on the natural enemies. 



SYSTEMATIC POSITION. 



The currant fruit fly belongs to the order Diptera, or two- 

 winged flies. This insect is a member of the family Trypetidae. 

 a large group of flies usually possessing prettily marked wings. 

 Loew (1873, p. 238) established the genus Epochra and gave it 

 the specific name canadensis after Canada. 



Common name. — ^In the literature, Epochra canadensis is 

 known under various names as follows : Currant fly, Currant 

 fruit fly, Currant fruit miner, Currant fruit zvorm, Currant mag- 

 got, Currant or gooseberry fruit fly, Currant or gooseberry fruit 

 maggot, Currant or gooseberry ivorm. Currant maggot or goose- 

 fruit fly, Fruit maggot. Fruit zvorm, Gooseberry fruit fly. Yellow 



^Papers from the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station- En tomol- 

 ogj- No. 96. 



'Member of the Station Summer Staff. 



