December, ’18] 
RUST: ANASTREPHA FRATERCULUS 
457 
and a chalcidid parasite of this species, the latter being secondary on 
the former. 
In addition to the parasites which destroy this species, blackbirds 
are said to eat the larvae before they go into shelter. 
Control 
A spray of arsenate of lead, Paris green or other arsenical could be 
used in the destruction of the young larvae before they penetrate the 
interior of buds, seed capsules, stems, and the like. Where they are 
found at work in these shelters, however, about the only recourse 
would be to pick the affected portions by hand and burn them. The 
collection and destruction, also by burning, of the stalks in which the 
insects are found late in the season, is also advisable. In the occur¬ 
rence of the insect on Lotus all parts of the plant containing the insect 
above the water line should be cut away as soon as this can be con¬ 
veniently done. 
ANASTREPHA FRATERCULUS WIED. (TRYPETIDAE)—A 
SEVERE MENACE TO THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES 
By E. W. Rust, Entomologist of the Tucuman Experiment Station, 
Tucuman, Argentina 
In almost all tropic or sub-tropic lands fruit-growing is subject to 
severe losses occasioned by insect pests, and among the latter one of 
the most damaging is almost sure to be some one of the fruit-flies of the 
family Trypetidce. 
In the northern part of the Argentine Republic, where the writer is 
stationed, the particular scourge of the fruit-grower is Anastrepha 
fraterculus Wied., and during the past two years it has been the sub¬ 
ject of more or less constant observation. During that time we have 
noted with surprise that so little is known, and even less published, 
about an insect which is such a menace to the fruit-growing interests 
of the semi-tropic portions of the United States. The Mediterranean 
fruit-fly is known by name and dreaded by a great number of fruit- 
and vegetable-growers, thanks to the wide-spread publication of the 
most excellent work done by the United States Bureau of Entomology. 
The melon fly ( Badrocera cucurbitce ) and the Mexican fruit-fly ( Anas - 
trepha ludens Loew) have also come in for some share of popular atten¬ 
tion, but it appears that comparatively few people realize what a 
scourge Anastrepha fraterculus might become if once it gained entrance 
to the Southern portion of the United States. 
