The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-06-02

tnat altnouSn from the
vow very earliest times he has
been with US, and the most ancient
writer's have mentioned and described
him, still very little was known of his
origin and history.
Ii remained for the eminent Boston
biologist, Or. A. s. Packard, in 1878, 70
make known IFS origin, habits and
Transformations from the egg through
the larva state with its two changes 70
pupa state. then 10 the perfect fiy.
Near the first Of August the female
lays about 40 eggs of dull gray
color, selecting fresh horse manure in
which 10 deposit her eggs. and so Sc
cretes them that they are rarely seen:
ii takes only twenty-four hours for
them 10 hatch into the first form OF
larva, n white worm e-Quarter OF an
inch in length and one-tenth in diane
ter. They feed on the decaying matter
OF their environment and two changes
or casting Of skins occur before they
turn into the pupa state: this change
comes very suddenly. The entire per-
iod from the egg 10 the pupa state is
from three 10 four days II moist food
is wanting when in this condition they
will eat each other and thus decrease
their number. Heat and humidity
greatly assist their development, us
upon careful computation each pound
OF manure around stables and out
houses develops under favorable coudi-
tions over 1000 dies. II is no wonder
that where these conditions exist we
have such veritable harvest OF the
fly pest.
In the pupa state when the fly is
about 20 emerge, the end OF the pupa
case splits of, making q hole through
which the fly pushes portion OF its
head. but here IL seems 10 encounter a
difficulty; the pupa case is too stifl and
hard TO pass through. but nature comes
10 its assistance. and sort Of bladder
like substance forms behind the head,
which swells out apparently filed with
air; IL acts rs means OF pushing
away the pupa case and releases the
fly. When tie fly first emerges II runs
around with its wings soft. small and
not set; its head rapidly expands and
the bladder formation passes away
within n few hours the wings grow
and harden, IL Is now O perfect fly.
The whole time frorl the depositing
OF the egg 10 the perfect fly is not over
ten days in duration. Many persons
who observe small flies in midsummer
suppose they are the young, but such
is not the case; they are tlies that are
imperfectly nourished In the larvae
and pupa states, and do not attain
full size, in fact. they are the dwarfs
Of their race. The male fly differs
from the female in the front OF the
head between the eyes, being at least
one-third narrower, though in size the
female is rather smaller.
In the pupa state they are often fed
upon by tie larvae OF some OF the
beetles, notably that OF the carpet bee
tie, whose pupa, the dreaded buffalo
'moth," will attack the young fly in
the pupa case and eating it possess the
case for itself
Adult flies like most other creatures
have parasites Of minute size that prey
upon them; these can often be seen as
presenting small red specks over the
body OF the fy.
The fly hbernates in winter, but
with his usual secretive habit il is very
difficult TO find him in his winter quar-
ters. With the first chill OF autumn
the flies feeling the cold, seek temper
airy warmth In houses, and clustering
together form buDches in the corners
OF walls and other places. They are
then sluggish and not so active as in
the warm weather. However, they do
not make n permanent stay indoors,
but on the first mild. sunny day. seek
the windows 20 get out and find their
permanent winter hiding place; many
prefer 70 make sheir homes ia the
roots Of grass on lawns where they
hide themselves so effectually that the
ice and snow Of winter does not de-
stroy them in their alternating state.
If in the first warm days Of spring
when the snow is gone and the grass
on the lawns becomes dry and warm,
lDlIS bNiDit Aht y gtilDW hduufilOu tBOWS
It's head, n close observer may see num-
bers Of flies crawling UP on the grass
10 get the welcome sunshine, their
wings standing out stiff and useless,
but they soon acquire the power OF
flight in the warm rays OF the sun. A
great many days. however, elapse be-
fore they appear in the homes OF men,
where they are such unwelcome visit
ors.
In recent years the medical profes-
sion have demonstrated that while the
fly Itself does not propagate disease il
is one Of the most industrious carriers
Of disease germs which by contact ad.
here TO his feet, hairy legs ana body,
distributing them 20 innocent victims.
II every housekeeper could know all
these interesting facts which have
never before been brought 10 their at-
tention they would realize the impor.
tance OF securing the very best Gy ex.
terminator.
Jap Steamship Company.
I'll, vwvrIa- ~ s4,s ry.re y,-s