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 larva?, 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. Larva? 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. 
