776 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



INSECT NOTES. 



Conducted by the Editor. 



The potato tuber moth, Phthorimcea operculella Zel. The occurrence of the potato 

 tuber moth hi the northern part of the State was made known by its discovery recently 

 in Shasta County. About 150 sacks of potatoes recently dug and placed in a barn 

 were found to contain a bad infestation of the pest.— Geo. P. Weldon. 



The large green predaceous ground beetle, Ca/osowirt scrutator Fab., has been re- 

 ceived in quite large quantities from Horticultural Commissioner B. V. Sharp of Han- 

 ford, California. These were collected by wood choppers, who stated they were feeding 

 upon caterpillars destructive to willows. 



Narcissus bulbs have been received from Horticultural Commissioner Stabler of 

 Sutter County, containing the larvae of the large Narcissus bulb fly, Merodon equestris 

 Fab. The bulbs in many instances were badly hollowed out by the feeding larvae. — 

 Lerot Childs. 



Quite a number of specimens of potatoes injured by wireworms have been repeatedly 

 sent to this office with the inquiry as to whether the work was done by the potato tuber 

 moth or not. The burrows of the potato tuber moth are very conspicuous just under- 

 neath the skin or throughout the interior of the potato, while the small holes of the 

 wireworm usually penetrate only a short distance. 



The woolly aphis, Schisoneura lanigera Hans. An effort is being made to determine 

 the distribution in the State of the woolly aphis on pear roots. At present it has been 

 observed in the following counties : Sacramento, Yolo, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Santa 

 Clara, Lake, Nevada, Placer, and Napa. It is probable that it will be found, upon 

 investigation, in practically every pear-growing section of the State. It is quite a 

 serious pest because of its habit of feeding on the fibrous roots. — Geo. P. Weldon. 



Platynus maculicollis, a small brown beetle belonging to the family Caiabidse, has 

 been reported as occurring in annoying numbers under houses and in cellars at Sacra- 

 mento. These insects are harmless and often beneficial in that they feed predaceously 

 upon smaller insects and mites.- — Lerot Childs. 



A single adult specimen of the cherry borer, Dicerca divaricuta Say, has been re- 

 ceived from Nevada City, Nevada County, Cal., where it is claimed that the young tips 

 of cherry trees have been injured by it. 



The cypress twig- borer, P/iZoeosijiits cristatus Lee, has just been received from San 

 Luis Obispo. 



The citrus white fly, Aleyrodes citri. A recent inspection of trees in Marysville, 

 made by E. J. Branigan, indicated that the citrus white fly is still present in that secv 

 tion, but only in very limited numbers. — Geo. P. Weldon. 



The potato flea beetle, Epitrix- cucumeris Hai*ris, has been received from Placerville 

 November 11, 1913, where it has been working upon the foliage of potatoes. 



The peach twig-borer, Anarsia lineatella. This pest of the peach is found very 

 abundantly hibernating in crotches of peach, apricot, and plum trees, of both orchards 

 and nurseries. — Geo. P. Weldon. 



The San Jose scale, Aspidiotus perniciosus Comst., has been taken in Imperial 

 County on pears by Horticultural Commissioner F. W. Waite. The entire surface of 

 the fruit sent in was completely covered with the scale and shows the adaptability of 

 this insect in a hot climate. 



Quite a serious infestation of nematode on roots of peach, was found in Kings 

 County. — Geo. P. Weldon. 



Specimens of the larvae of Prionus sp. have been received from Chico, California, 

 with the report that they were causing great injury to the roots of prune trees. — 



E. J. VOSLER. 



