626 
Rain is the most formidable enemy of the thrips, so they are 
more in evidence in dry seasons. Spraying, especially with sul- 
phides or with tobacco decoction, or, again, resin and soda wash will 
also act both mechanically in washing them off the plants by the 
million and killing them on account of the poisonous sulphur fumes. 
Remedy.—Clean cultivation. For onions spray with No. 15, 
and destroy all tops as soon as crop is harvested. On fruit-trees 
spray with Nos. 10 or 14 (see p. 528). In the case of onions 
there are two obstacles to overcome; the very young thrips work very 
largely down about the base of the leaves. Owing to the peculiar 
growth of the plant, it is very difficult to reach them. One pound 
of whale oil soap, dissolved in 12 gallons of water, is also very 
effectual in destroying thrips. While in Spain the writer noticed 
the larve of a Syrphus fly feeding upon thirps infesting pear trees. 
Wire Worms. 
There are many species that feed upon the roots of various 
plants, and at times do considerable damage. These so-called worms 
are slim, and brown in colour. They are the larve of what are 
known as click beetles. 
Remedy.—Use No. 16 bait (p. 530). 
Fruir Fry (Ceratitis capitata). 
This is beyond question one of the most serious orchard pests 
which has yet found it way into this State. Other pests with which 
we have to deal can, to a certain extent, be destroyed by the use of 
artificial remedies. It is different with the fruit fly. This is owing 
to the nature of its attacking the fruit. Depositing their eggs, as 
they do, beneath the surface of the fruit, places them at once beyond 
the reach of sprays and fumes, and leaves only one course by which 
they can be checked, and this consists of carefully picking all fruit 
suspected of containing the maggots and destroying it by boiling or 
burning the fruit. There is scarcely any variety of fruit which this 
fly does not attack. 
Life History—tThe female fly lays her eggs in the fruit after 
piercing the fruit with her ovipositor; the eggs soon hatch, and 
the maggots grow very rapidly, eating their way to the core of the 
fruit, and when they have attained their full growth they leave the 
fruit and enter the soil to pupate. In warm weather they only 
remain in the pupa stage for about ten days, coming out as flies 
and immediately begin the work of destruction again. Its chief 
aim in life seems to be the destruction of every fruit that it meets 
with. 
Natural Enemies ——Up to the present time the home of this fly 
has not been discovered, consequentially its true parasite is not 
known. 
