ECONOMIC ZOOLOCiY ENTOMOLOGY. 759 



which have been used In controlliiiu; this insect, the self-boiled lime-snlphur 

 wash is considered the best. Directions are given as to the time of spraying 

 and fornnilas are presented for the preparation of various other insecticides. 



The scale insects of the date palm, T. D. A. Cockerell (Arizona Sta. Bui. 56, 

 pp. J8S-J'J2, plti. 5). — A liistorical account is given of tlie importation of date 

 palms from Cairo, Algeria, and elsewhere, and the accidental introduction upon 

 these plants of Parhitoria hJanchanll and I'hoenk-ococciis iiKirlatti. These 

 insects are described and notes are given on their habits, natui-al enemies, and . 

 distribution. 



The extermination of date-palm scales, R. H. Forres (Arizona »S7«. Bui. ■'>(>, 

 pp. 193-207, figs. 5). — After the establishment of date-palm orchards in Ari- 

 zona it was found that the plants were infested with Parlatoria blanchardi and 

 Phoenicococcu.<i marlatti, the first species being the most important. A consid- 

 erable number of insecticide treatments were tried in attempts to control this 

 pest, including Iverosene emulsion, whale-oil soap, distillate spray, resin wash, 

 and fumigation with hydrocyanic-acid gas. The experiments showed that date 

 palms are exceedingly resistant to all of these insecticides, but that none of 

 the lines of treatment was effective in destroying the scale insects. 



After the failure of other insecticides, resort was had to the use of the gaso- 

 line blast torch. The infested trees wei*e severely pruned bade and were then 

 scorched with the torcli. The results were very satisfactory. It was found 

 that the trees could be freed from scale insects by means of heat without suffer- 

 ing any harm, trees thus treated malting as vigorous growth the next season as 

 untreated trees. In an orchard of 100 trees cut back and scorched with the 

 gasoline torch on the station farm, only one young seedling died. The experi- 

 ments thus far conducted do not indicate that this method of treatment is par- 

 ticularly expensive. 



Diaspis pentagona, D. Cavazza (Ann. Vffic. Prov. Agr. Bologna, 13 (1906), 

 pp. 62-10). — This insect has been found in the province of Bologna, where it is 

 causing great damage to mulberry trees. The author calls attention to the in- 

 jury which its further spread may cause and urges strict measures for its 

 control. 



Insects injurious to the vine in California, H. J. Quayle (California Sta. 

 Bui. 192, pp. 99-L>iO, figs. 2'/).— Although about 275 species of insects have been 

 recorded as feeding upon grapes there are not more than 1.5 or 20 which really 

 cause serious injury to grapes in California. Nearly all of the injurious species 

 in California are native insects. 



The phylloxera has been known in California since 1874 and is believed to 

 have (lestroyed al)out .50,000 acres of grapes. The life history of this pest is 

 described. The most effective remedy has been found in planting resistant 

 vines. The vine liojtijer (Typhlocgha comes) is particularly injurious in the 

 Sacramento and San .I<»aquiu valleys. It is best contr()lled by clean cultivation, 

 the use of hopper cages, and spraying with whale-oil soap or resin wash. 

 Adowus vitis has a life history very similar to that of the grape root worm 

 of the Eastern States. It may be controlled by jarring, by the use of the hopper 

 cage, by the application of an arsenical spray, and by thorough cultivation of 

 the soil about the roots of infested grapes. 



Economic and biological notes are also given on Philamiiclvs achcmon, grass- 

 h(»ppers, cutworms, army worms, flea-l)eetles, Drsmia funrralis, leaf chafers, 

 wireworms. Eriophgrs vitis, nematode root gall, etc. 



The catalpa sphinx, L. O. IIoward and F. II. Ciuttenden (U. S. Dcpt. Agr., 

 Bur. Ent. Circ. 96, pp. 7, figs. 2). — Ccraioinia catalpa- is described in all its 

 stages and notes are given on its distribution, life history. hal)its. and natural 

 enemies. It is held in check to some extent- by jiarasitic insects and birds. 



