658 EXPERIMENT STATION RECOKD. [Vol. 38 



The biological metliod of control for Oeceticus platensis, P. C. Massini 

 (An. Soc. Rural Argentina, 51 {1917}, No. 5, pp. 373-378, figs. 8).— A report 

 upon the efficiency of several hymenopterous parasites in the control of this 

 lepidopteran. 



The malaria parasite in the mosquito. — The efEects of low temperature and 

 other factors on its development, M. B. Mitzmain {Pub. Health Rpts. [U. S.], 

 32 {1917), No. 35, pp. IJtOO-lJfIS). — "In the work presented here It is indicated 

 that development of the exogenous elements in the mosquito is restricted or 

 prevented during an intermittent low temperature even when temperatures 

 favorable to parasite development are present in the early stages and subse- 

 quently. The presence of even great numbers of oocysts in various stages does 

 not give assurance of subsequent maturity and infectivity. Of the IS infected 

 anophelines kept at low temperature only one appeared to give rise to mature 

 parasites, while the one control specimen of Anopheles quadrimaGulatiLS re- 

 tained at room temperature reached normal maturity relative to sporozoite de- 

 velopment. Plasmodium falciparum was the species of parasite used. The 

 oocyst stage was maintained up to 59 days in the mosquitoes employed in these 

 experiments." 



Reference is made to the work by King, previously noted (E. S. R., 36, p. 

 858). 



The Mediterranean fruit fly in Hawaii, E. A. Back and C. E. Pembeeton 

 {U. S. Dept. Agr. Bui. 536 {1918), pp. 118, pis. 21, figs. 2^).-^This is a summary 

 of the present status of the knowledge of Ceratitis capitata, based upon a 

 review of the literature and extensive investigations conducted by the authors, 

 much of which data is presented in tabular form. The subject is considered 

 under the headings of origin, distribution, source of Hawaiian infestation, con- 

 ditions favorable to establishment in the Hawaiian Islands, economic impor- 

 tance, injury, methods of spread, host fruits, life history and description, sea- 

 sonal history, natural control, and artificial control. Some of the data included 

 have been previously noted from other sources (E. S. R., 37, p. 565). 



It is concluded that with the pest well established in Bermuda and the 

 Hawaiian Islands it will only be a matter of time before it will be inadvertently 

 Introduced into and become established in California and the Southern States. 

 It is pointed out that this fruit fly has been reared in Honolulu from 72 species 

 of host fruits, including the peach, plum, pear, guava, mango, orange, lemon, 

 grapefruit, banana, etc., and that no edible fruit in Hawaii, except the pine- 

 apple, escapes its attack although the banana is never infested unless overripe 

 or injured. While a single generation may require as few as 17 days during 

 the warmest weather, there are usually 15 to 16 generations a year at Honolulu 

 and 10 to 12 generations in areas where the winter mean temperature drops 

 to 68' F. 



As regards control measures, it is concluded that at the present time the only 

 hope of relief lies in the establLshment of parasites, six of which have been 

 introduced during the past three years and have already become well estab- 

 lished. While they have more than repaid the Territory of Hawaii for the 

 cost of their introduction by bringing about an improved condition in the 

 coffee-growing industry, it is doubtful whether they will effect a sufficient 

 decrease in the proportion of infested host fruits to be considered efficient 

 factors in control, since adult flies maturing in thick-meated fruits, or in fruits 

 protecting larvse by other means from attack by parasites, will neutralize the 

 effective w^ork of parasites attacking larvae in thin-skinned and thin-pulped 

 fruits. Accumulated data indicate that the fruit fly will not become a serious 

 pest in a climate where the mean temperature is below 50° F. during periods 

 covwing three months of the year. Freezing temperatures can be withstood 



