SOME INSECTS AFFECTING CHEESE, HAMS. FRUIT, ETC. Ill 



when nearly fall grown, left the liquid and advanced to the side and 

 top of tiie glass jar where he had placed them, where they could be 

 observed feeding on condensed moisture. They transformed topnparia, 



from which the first flies issued in lour days. 



Mr. (r. J. Bowles, in the Canadian Entomologist for June 1882, 

 figures roughly the different stages of D. ampelophila and gives an 

 account of its damage to raspberry vinegar. An earthenware jar had 



been nearly filled with raspberries and vinegar. On opening the jar 

 about ten days later (August 16) it was found to be swarming with 



the larva- and cocoons of the insect. Hundreds of the larvae were 

 crawling on the sides of the jar and the underside of the cover, while 

 pupae were found abundantly, single and in clusters, particularly where 



the cover touched the top of the jar. The short time required for the 

 production of so many individuals was surprising. Mr. Bowles naif 

 filled a covered tumbler with the pickled raspberries ami larvae, and 

 they continued to produce flies for several weeks. The following season 

 the same observer noticed that the flies were attracted to some rasp- 

 berry wine in process of fermentation, hovering about the jars and 

 alighting upon the corks, evidently seeking for an opening through 

 which they might pass to lay their eggs. At another time he placed a 

 few raspberries, with a small quantity of vinegar, in a pickle jar with a 

 loose cover. A fortnight afterwards a number of larva' were seen in 

 the bottle, and several pupae were attached to its sides. 



This statement, together with Dr. Lintner's, that the pupal state may 

 last but four days, shows that a brood may develop in twenty days. 

 The general habits of these insects are well understood by almost every 

 housewife. The writer has often observed them about his own house. 

 and has seen the larvae working under conditions described by Mr. 

 Bowles, and he is informed by Mr. Marlatt that one of the species is 

 extremely abundant at Manhattan. Ivans., and that in his own house- 

 hold the greatest care was necessary to prevent them from entering 

 fruit jars. 



REMEDIES. 



The common entrance of these little Dro'sophilas into pant ties and 



storerooms, as well as into dining rooms where fruit is kept upon the 

 sideboard, is another argument in favor of careful window screening. 

 Where they have once entered ajar of fruit it is not necessary to throw 

 away the entire contents of the jar. since the larvae occur only on the 

 top layers. These may be removed, and the remainder of the contents 

 may often prove pure and sweet. All fruit canned while hot and her- 

 metically sealed will be safe. The Hies will lay their eggs upon the jar, 

 perhaps, or upon the cloth covering, and an almost imperceptible open- 

 ing will suffice for the newly hatched maggot to enter; so the sealing 

 must be perfect. An occasional puffing of pyrethrum about the store- 

 room will destroy the flies which may have gained entrance. Where a 

 jar has once been opened its contents can be preserved where these 

 insects are numerous only by placing it in some tight receptacle. 



