248 EXPERIMENT STATION EECORD. 



96D). — ^A list is given of 39 plants recognized as hosts of the mulberry, or 

 West Indian peach scale {Aulaco-wis [Diaspis] pentagona). 



A note on the lac insect (Tachardia lacca), its life history, propagation, 

 and collection, E. P. Stebbing (Indian Forest Mem., Forest Zoo]. Scr., 1 {1910), 

 No. 3, pp. 82, pis. Jf). — A revision of the paper previously noted (E. S. R., 20, 

 p. 460). 



A newly-imported scale pest on Japanese hemlock, C. L. Marlatt {Ent. 

 News, 22 {1911), No. 8, pp. 383-387, pi. 1) .—Asphlintus {Diaspidiotus) tsugw 

 on Japanese hemlock {Tsuga sp.) from stock imported from Japan, during 

 the course of quarantine work in New Jersey, is described as new to science. 



The fig moth, F. H. Chittenden {U. 8. Dept. Agr., Bur. Ent. Bui. lO), pp. 

 1-1/0, pis. Ji, figs. Ji). — While the fig moth {Ephestia cautella) has been known 

 in this country as a pest since 1897, at which time a short preliminary paper 

 was published by the author (E. S. R.. 9, p. 8.52), it was not until 1908 that 

 the insect attracted any great attention. It had by that time, however, in- 

 vaded mills of various kinds, including rice mills in the Southern States, and 

 in these situations it is now quite a serious pest. In 1909 and 1910 thousands 

 of dollars worth of imported figs were condemned imder the Food and Drugs 

 Act as infested. 



In this article the author deals primarily with the insect as a pest in stored 

 products in America. Descriptions are given of the stages of the pest, the 

 literature and history of the species in Europe and America is reviewed, and 

 an account is given of its geographical distribution and food habits. Inspec- 

 'tioiis made of 30 samples of Smyrna figs from various sources are reported 

 upon, showing much variation as to the amount of infestation. The average 

 infestation of Smyrna figs entering the port of New York was computed in 

 1909 and 1910 by the Bureau of Chemistry of this Department as from 24.05 

 to 38.17 per cent. 



In studying the biology of this pest, some 48 days were found to be required 

 for the emergence of adults from eggs deposited in flaxseed meal on April 14. 

 Adults emerged in 36 days from eggs deposited in corn meal about June 23. 

 Eggs laid during the night of July 13 were found to have hatched on the morn- 

 ing of July 17, giving a period for the egg state of not more than 35 days. The 

 pupal period was found to vai'y from 8 days, when kept at a temperature of 

 83° F. to 24 days, when exposed to cool weather in October. The author's ob- 

 servations have led him to deduce the following periods : For the egg from 3J 

 to 14 days; larva, from 13 to 30 days; pupa, from 8* to 24 days; and life cycle 

 from 36 to 48 days. 



Two parasites, Hadrobraeon hrhetor and Omorga frumentaria, and the mite 

 Pedieuloidcs ventricosus are recorded as natural enemies. Methods of con- 

 trol, including experiments with funiigants at a high temperature, by the author 

 and T. H. Jones, are discussed. The measures applicable in eradicating the 

 pest in imported figs are summarized in the following methods of prevention 

 and destruction: Prompt disposal or destruction of the useless June fig crop; 

 covering the figs at night while on the " serghi " ; closely screening the fig 

 depots in the interior; prompt delivery of the figs to the packing houses (khans) 

 after gathering; destruction of the worms in the "khans" by sterilization 

 through the use of hot water, dry heat, or steam ; fumigation by means of 

 carbon blsulphid or hydrocyanic-acid gas; construction of " khans " so that they 

 can be made gas tight for the purpose of fumigating ; enactment of special 

 regulations or legislation to secure the enforcement of the suggestions made; 

 and clean methods of handling and storing at all times and in all places. 



A bibliographical list of IS titles is aijpended. 



