The Hawaiian gazette., 1911-10-24
mo HESITATION n
IN CALIFORNIA
Menace Of Mediterranean Fruit
Fly Is Reaized-What
Carnes Says.

-~-
Although the majority Of Honolulu
residents do not seem TO appreciate the
serious situation here unused by the
Mediterranean fruit ny, are ayerse to
radical methods for it's determination,
tried to hide the news Of It when arst
discovered and are now apparently re.
signed to let Il do it's worst, il is
different in California.
In the Golden State, where its fruit
industry 10 worth more than its gold
mines and oil Selds put together, there
is no hesitation as 90 the measures
which must be adopted to prevent this
pest from entering the orchards there,
even if all impOrtations from these
islands must be stopped.
| AS to how they consider the danger
from this fly 1t is only necessary to
hear f. X. Carnes, who was here in
vestiRatihg the pest Aere, speak about
it. The Sacramento Bee, of October
! u, contributes something as follows:
What carnes Has to Say.
Back from Honolnlu on the Island
of Oahu of the Hewaiiah group, where
he spent six weekS Investigating the
dread Mediterranean fruit fly, which
it is feared will invade California,
superintendent R.SK. CarDes of the
state insectary is worn and gloomy
over the most dis, usting and destruct-
! i've insect he has ever seen.
Carnes came home with few pre-
served specimens in bottles. Originally
he intended TO bring some alive to
propagate in the lnseCtary for the pur-
pose of observation. But he was afraid
of the ay, afraid it would escape cap
tivity and breed in the orchards of
California, SO brought only dead flies
and maggots,
Almost Afraid to Come Homo.
81 was almost afraid to come home
myself, says csrncs. q q had prepared
to bring with me cases containing
some fruit filed with mRggots. But
before the boat was ready they deyel
| oped in flies and some escaped, hardly
knew how. That was TOO much, so L
burned them ali and brought only the
tubes.
~ covered the island thoroughly,
visited hooks many of the inhabitants
never knew existed and went over a
part of Kauai, another island, por
ton of which is infected. II gathered
specimens, built q temporary insectary
at Honolulu, and after my investiga,
tons were completed went to work on
the civic bodies. They have promised
to make fight for the eradication Of
the pest, but it1ib' almost, hopeless
No INCARCERATION
"Pfom my investigation 1 have
learned that the Mediterranean fruit fly
is to fruit what the blow fly is to meat.
l picked LOG maggots out of one guava,
fruit about the size of an apricot.
+" Reports we have received concern
ing the pest have not been exaggerat-
ed. The fly is revolving in its habits
and hard to kill. The unfortunate fact
is that it is now established in the wild
fruit as well as the cultivated Only
bananas and pineapples seem immune.
So far there is no effective means
of combating the pest. 1t Is practically
impossible to wipe it out of Oahu be-
cause of the great expense.
Every PrecautiOn.
Following up his effort to see that
the Mediterranean fruit fly does not
reach the California shore, State Horti-
cultural Commissioner jeffrey today
cabled quarantine order to Honolulu
directing that no bananas or pineapplef
be shipped to ports in this State until
method Of packing which insures that
no pest is carried in the wrapping il
adopted.
jeffrey says that he intends to take
every precaution against an invasion
of the fly. The reports brought bacl
by f. X. Carnes, superintendent of the
I state insectary, indicate that the mos
stringent precautions are necessary
Hence, even though the bananas and tn,
pineapple is not infected by the fly, il
must Join other fruits under the quar-
antipe until new method of paclinl
? is used.
While in Honolulu Carnes evolved |
: method Of packing which would MAKE
. IL impossible for any flies Ito secret'
. themselves in the wrapping mateEia
, and il is likely this method will b
! adopted.
4 No Live Taies Brought Here.
Chrnea says ne. neser intended h
: bring any live speoiaaeas Of the fly o
it's maggot to the state inseetary 70
4 Investigation. He had hoped, however
4 10 bring large speeinsn Of fruit II
\ alcohol 40 that he couId show the mag
I gots, The maggeta In HIS specimen
|. developed into dies bafore be wa
!. ready 20 leave and 50 be ahandone