BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY. 501 



however, large importations from Spain and from Russia. An 

 especial effort has been made to introduce parasites not yet received 

 in this country in sufficient numbers to establish themselves. Mr. 

 W. F. Fiske, in charge of the laborator}^, was stationed in January 

 in southern Italy, and remained there until the close of the fiscal year, 

 Mr. A. F. Burgess being left in charge of the laboratory. Mr. 

 Fiske's efforts have been very successful, and he has sent over in 

 large numbers four species parasitic upon gipsy moth caterpillars 

 and another species which attacks gipsy moth pupoe, and these in 

 most cases have come in excellent condition, owing to the superior 

 manner in which they were packed and shipped. One of these 

 species, Apanteles soUtarms, has been liberated to the number of 

 28,000 adults. While it is difficult to secure evidence that this species 

 has reproduced, owing to the fact that the cocoons are attached 

 singlj' to caterpillars which are often on the leaves high in the trees, 

 it has been possible to determine by actual rearing from material col- 

 lected in the field that some of them have passed through a single 

 generation on American soil. The parasite of the pupse. Chalets 

 flavipcs, has been liberated to the number of 10,000. This species had 

 never before been received in sufficient numbers to make a satis- 

 factory colonization. Another important parasite, previously re- 

 ceived in small numbers from Russia and which was not known to 

 occur in Italy, was found by Mr. Fiske in Sicily, and over 125,000 

 of its living cocoons were sent to Massachusetts in good condition. 



Aside from the work of importing colonies, reproduction work, 

 and checking up the results of the liberations that are made, it has 

 been possible to carry on numerous minor investigations to determine 

 the relation between the parasites imported and our native species, 

 as well as to study the role which the former are likely to play in 

 connection with various native caterpillars upon which some of 

 them must depend to pass through a generation after the gipsy and 

 brown-tail moths have completed their single generation. This work 

 has necessitated the construction of new equipment and the develop- 

 ment of more perfect rearing devices. 



ATTEMPTED IMPORTATION OF THE INSECT ENEMIES OF THE WHITE FLY. 



In July, 1910, an expert field agent of the bureau was sent abroad 

 to find the original home of the white fly of the orange and to attempt 

 to find the parasites or satisfactory predatory enemies. In November, 

 1910, he found the white fly at Saharampur, India, under conditions 

 that seemed to indicate that the white fly is indigenous to that part 

 of the country. He found that it was attacked by two species of 

 ladybird beetles. A preliminary shipment of these beetles by mail 

 was apparently unsuccessful. Later shipments by direct steamer 

 from Calcutta to Boston were also unsuccessful. At Lahore^ India, 

 he found his first evidence of parasitism by internal parasites. A 

 certain proportion of the white flies was found to contain exit holes 

 of a true parasite. Upon the leaves sent in were found 5 specimens of 

 a very minute parasite, which has been described as Prospaltella 

 lahorensis. After visiting Java and Manila, the agent, Mr. R. S. 

 Woglum, returned to India, and at the close of the fiscal year was 

 engaged in an attempt to rear the parasites in sufficient numbers for 

 introduction into the United States before the close of the summer. 



