260 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol.36 



generation. It hibernates in the larval stage within the infested alfalfa seeds 

 which remain on the standing alfalfa, or on the ground when winter ap- 

 proaches. The undeveloped larvse and those still in the pupal stage are usually 

 killed by the first severe frost. In the mild climate of southern California occa- 

 sional individuals of this species hibernate in the pupal stage. 



The comparative rearings of H. medicaginis and their host {B. funebris) 

 show parasitism by H. medicaginis in several localities to be about as follows : 

 Corcoran, Cal., 0.8 per cent ; Tulare, Cal., 2.8 per cent ; Chino, Cal., 2.8 per 

 cent ; and Yuma, Ariz., 4.9 per cent. 



Description of eleven new species of chalcid flies, A. A. Gibaxjlt {Canad. 

 Ent., 48 {1916), Nos. 3, pp. 100-103, pi. 1; 4, pp. 113-116).— AmoAg the species 

 of economic importance here described as new are Phwnodiscus partifuscipetv- 

 nis, reared from the hemispherical scale in California, and Baoanusia africana, 

 a parasite of Lecanium olece in Cape Colony, Africa. 



Descriptions of and observations on some chalcidoid Hymenoptera, A. A. 

 GiBAULT (Canad. Ent., 48 {1916), Kos. 7, pp. 242-246; 8, pp. 265-268) .—Among 

 the species described as new are Diaulinus intermedins reared from Phytoniyza 

 chrysanthemi at Kingston, R. I. ; Psuediglyphomyia coptodiscce from Coptodisca 

 splendoriferella, Madisonville, Ky. ; Trichogrammatomyia tortricis n. g. and 

 n. sp., from the eggs of Tortrix cerasivorana, Guelph, Ontario, in the second 

 paper. 



A new genus of pteromalid chalcidoid Hymenoptera from North America, 

 A. A. GiKAULT {Canad. Ent., 48 {1916), No. 7, pp. 246-248). 



A new genus of lelapine chalcid flies from the United States, A. A. Giratjlt 

 {Canad. Ent., 48 {1916), No. 8, pp. 263, 264). 



The pear leaf-worm, R. L. Nougaket, W. M. Davidson, and E. J. Newcomer 

 {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 438 {1916), pp. 23, pis. 2, figs. 4).— This is a report of 

 observations and experiments with a pear sawfly {Gymnonyclms californicus) 

 made in California during the seasons 1911 to 1914, inclusive, and in the State 

 of Washington during the seasons of 1914 and 1915. 



The injury by this sawfly is caused almost entirely by its partial defoliation. 

 It is quite abundant in the localities in which it occurs, and occasionally becomes 

 a pest of serious consequence. So far as known it is a native of the Pacific 

 coast. It is of economic importance only as an enemy of the different varieties 

 of pears. 



" There is only one generation each year. The adult or parent sawflies issue 

 in March and April, the female sex greatly predominating. Eggs are inserted 

 into the pear leaves, the resultant larvse or worms feeding upon the foliage for 

 an average period of three weeks. The larvse may be found on the leaves dur- 

 ing April and May, and in Washington the season is perhaps ten days or two 

 weeks later than in California. Upon acquiring full growth the larvse drop to 

 the ground and bury themselves in the topmost inch of soil (a few go as deep as 

 3 or 4 in.) and weave around themselves a brown, oval, tough cocoon in which 

 the insect remains for slightly over ten months, at first as larva and later for 

 a period of two or three weeks as a pupa. At the end of the pupal stage the 

 adult issues from the cocoon and comes forth from the ground, and thus the 

 cycle is completed. . . . 



" What few natural enemies the insect has are quite unable to control it. 

 Artificial remedies are correlative with those used against the codling moth and 

 also against the pear-thrips larva. . . . 



" In cases of ordinary infestation the contact spray, such as is used for 

 thrips larvse or aphids, will prove successful in controlling the larva of the 

 pear leaf-worm. When the infestation is severe and promises the defoliation of 

 limbs or whole trees the poison spray should be used. The best time for appli- 



