1068 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The scale has been found in Virginia upon the following plants: 

 Apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, apricot, quince, raspberry, currant, 

 gooseberry, grape, strawberry, rose, linden, elm, Osage orange, golden 

 willow, silver maple, mountain ash, and actinidia. 



A fungus disease of the San Jose scale, P. H. Eolfs (Florida 

 Sta. Bui. 11, pp. 518-543, ^/s. 2). — The value of fungus diseases in 

 controlling insects is discussed, and the discovery, in May, 1896, of a 

 fungus (Sphceroxtilbe coceophila) attacking the San Jose scale with 

 deadly effect is reported. The decrease of the fluted scale in Florida 

 (E. S. E., 9, p. 575) is attributed to the action of this fungus. Its 

 attacks on various scale insects have been noted by a number of 

 observers. T. D. A. Cockered reports it from Jamaica as attacking 

 Aspidiotus articulatus. It is a common disease of Asp idiot us obscurus, 

 on which it was discovered by A. L. Quaintance in 1896. Since then 

 it has been found in Florida at De Funiak, on the oak. 



The disease was experimentally disseminated by twigs infested by 

 diseased bugs. The spores were grown on bread; acid, neutral, and 

 alkaline agar; gelatin, and sterilized potatoes. Trees were sprayed 

 with water in which infected bread had been soaked. On trees thus 

 sprayed the disease took hold and spread rapidly. Wrapping the 

 sprayed parts of the trees with cloths was found to accelerate the pro- 

 cess greatly. 



The author describes the growth of the fungus, and states, among 

 other things, that when grown in strong liquid medium the mycelium 

 seems to have the power of inhibiting the growth of spores. In cell 

 cultures a great many spores collect near the mycelium, but do not 

 germinate. When removed by only the fraction of an inch, a great 

 many of them germinate. When removed to the outer edge of the 

 hanging drop, the normal proportions germinate. 



The fungus appears to have great powers of adaptability as to medium, 

 temperature, and moisture. Acid media, however, seem better suited 

 to it than alkaline, and slightly acid bread best of all. 



In conclusion, it is noted that the best time to apply the material is 

 after sundown in moist weather. The spores grown on bread germi- 

 nate in a lew hours and must find a suitable medium or they will perish, 

 while those produced in the orange-colored protuberance formed on the 

 scale will live for several months in dry weather. The material can be 

 produced in great quantities, and its application to insects by a spray 

 is an easy matter. Another point in its favor is that it is more thorough 

 than insecticides. It is probably best adapted to moist climates. As 

 soon as the insects have been killed they and the fungus are washed 

 from the tree by rains, leaving no signs behind them save where the 

 scales have injured the tree. 



Notes on some European hymenopterous parasites of the 

 Hessian fly (Cecidomyia destructor) and other insects, W. H. 

 Ashmead (Psyche, 18D7, No. 25!), pp. J 35-138). — A description is given 

 of new species of parasites received in a lot of parasites bred from 



