. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. Entomology. 188 Annals Entomological Society oj America [Vol. VII, 12. Tactile bristles of the ovipositor.—The melon fly often seeks a suitable place wherein to oviposit by walking about on the cucurbit with the tactile bristles at the end of the ovipositor (Text fig. 4) in contact with the rind. These tactile bristles probably assist in locating a hole in the rind, or possibly discrim- inate between hard and soft surfaces. One specimen was observed with its ovipositor inserted within a pin hole which was made in a pumpkin and another female fl
. Annals of the Entomological Society of America. Entomology. 188 Annals Entomological Society oj America [Vol. VII, 12. Tactile bristles of the ovipositor.—The melon fly often seeks a suitable place wherein to oviposit by walking about on the cucurbit with the tactile bristles at the end of the ovipositor (Text fig. 4) in contact with the rind. These tactile bristles probably assist in locating a hole in the rind, or possibly discrim- inate between hard and soft surfaces. One specimen was observed with its ovipositor inserted within a pin hole which was made in a pumpkin and another female fly in orienting itself over this wound, would take a step or two backwards, grope around with the tactile bristles and finally push the ovipositor into the same hole. When a piece of the rind has been removed the flies apparently seek a soft area in the pulp with the tactile bristles of the ovipositor. The fruit flies will readily locate and oviposit in a slit which has been cut in the Text Fig. 4. Distal end of the ovipositor of Dacus cucurbitae showing the tactile bristles. 13. Process of oviposition.—The process of oviposition can readily be observed in the field with a hand lens. When once the fruit fly has found a suitable place, the abdomen is bent at right angles to the long axis of the body and then the distal, needle-like part of the ovipositor moves up and down in the proximal, tube-like portion. As the ovipositor is forced into the food plant, the female, in endeavoring to get a firmer foot-hold, will let go with the tarsi and claws of the middle and hind legs and grasp a new hold. The tube-like, proximal portion is thrust deeper and deeper until it disappears entirely and the eggs are then deposited. If, however, this tube has not been pushed entirely into the host plant, the eggs can actually be seen gliding through the ovipositor at the rate of one in about every fifteen or thirty seconds. Two specimens were timed during oviposi-. Please note that these
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