1908.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT No. 73. 209 



out-door breeding houses are well built, and apparently serve their 

 purpose. The success of your parasite work will in a great measure 

 depend on the study of the life cycle of the pests in the laboratory, as 

 well as in the field, combined with the closest study of the life and 

 habits of the parasite; this I note you are doing. 



I commend your work of destroying by fire all materials, boxes, etc., 

 received, as well as the used-up materials after the parasites have 

 emerged, and all food used in propagating larva?, when this food be- 

 comes stale and worthless. In this connection I would recommend the 

 disinfection of all breeding cages as soon as vacated, and before new 

 lots are introduced into them. In doing this you obviate the possible 

 introduction of fungous spores, as well as members of the mite family. 



From the materials examined which were brought in from the field 

 there remains little doubt but that several species of imported parasites 

 are now established in your State. Calosoma sycophanta is especially 

 promising, both beetles and larva? are such voracious feeders. Several 

 showings of the Braconids are very good; the Meteorus species has 

 great possibilities, although mostly so far on the brown-tail moth. A 

 Pteromalus species appears to have established itself, and this season's 

 observations will settle all doubt in the matter. According to your 

 record at the laboratory, some 50,000 individuals were liberated in 1900 

 and upward of 40,000 this year, and it would seem unreasonable not to 

 expect some results from this showing. Pimpla examinator seems to 

 breed quite freely in the cages, and, as this species resembles our 

 Pimpla conquisitor, there seems hope of it doing well out of doors. 

 Your record shows that so far about 200 healthy specimens have been 

 liberated this season. Most remarkable are the sendings of the various 

 species of Tacliinid flies. These seem to stand the long journey, and 

 are apparently easily handled. Of the large quantities liberated (your 

 record shows 7,000 up to date) you should have some very fine results 

 in another year. From the egg parasites received and liberated in 1906 

 nothing has so far been recorded. If these parasites should turn up, 

 it would indeed aid materially in the work. I am pleased to note that 

 you are using the cold-storage plan for your egg masses, and that you 

 are making good preparations for next year's sendings. Mr. Fiske also 

 informs me that he is trying other experiments with pupa3, etc., which 

 no doubt is worth while on account of prolonging the season by main- 

 taining a longer food supply for parasites. 



In looking over the various shipments of imported material, and ex- 

 amining your records, it is apparent that the arrangements for import- 

 ing parasites from abroad have been ably organized, and, in my judg- 

 ment, thoroughly cover the field. While no one at this writing can 

 predict the outcome of your labors with the parasite question, you 

 surely have made a good start, and are using the very best methods in 

 your propagation. I may say that the whole has a very promising 

 future. 



