DROSOPHILIM. 
023 
the surface of the ground, causing the plant to wilt and the stem to 
decay. No parasites have been found, and collection and destruc¬ 
tion of affected plants as soon as possible after the pest is first 
observed is the only generally applicable remedy. Owing to the 
short period occupied by the life-history early action is necessary if 
it is to be of any use. The larvae of a third fly, the Cruciferous Leaf- 
miner, as the name indicates, mine the leaves of Cruciferous plants : 
the flies belong to the sub-family Geomyzince (often separated from 
the Agromyzids as a distinct family Geomyzidce) and are grey, somewhat 
bristly little flies with large wings. They are of less importance than 
the Tur-pod and Pea-stem-flies (fig. 411). 
An Agromyzid ( Cryptochcetum ), remarkable and easily identified 
by the absence of the usual arista on the third antennal joint, is an 
annoying ‘ 6 Eye-fly 5 ’ 
in jungle at Pusa, but 
it is quite distinct from 
the more familiar 
(Chloropid) eye-fly 
which is sometimes so 
troublesome in the 
house ; nothing is 
known of its habits 
except that it is found 
often sitting on stems 
and leaves or in crevi- 
Fig. 411. Pupa of leaf-mining phytomyza. x 2. ces i n tree trunks in 
small groups of half a dozen or so individuals. It is perhaps note¬ 
worthy that this little fly will live, when enclosed in a corked tube, 
considerably longer than any other kind of fly I have ever observed. 
Drosophilid^:. 
Small chubby flies often with large light red eyes. Sub-costa absent 
or indistinct; 2nd basal and anal cells usually not separated ; anal 
cell small , indistinct or absent. Vibrissce usually present ; 3rd 
antennal joint rounded ; arista plumose , the hairs generally few and 
long. Lowest fronto-orbital bristle often pointing downwards. 
The members of this family are extremely abundant in India, and 
it is only necessary to expose some over-ripe bananas or other fruit in 
