THE MELON ELY. 
15 
prevents secondary decays from starting, and these bring about the 
destruction of such portions as escape the larvae. 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 larvae 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,, h, 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. 
