782 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The limitations of parasites in. the destruction of scale insects, W. W. 



Fro(k;att {A(jr. Gaz. New South. Walex, 13 {1903), No. 11, pp. 1087-109.)) .^The Author 

 presents a general description of the value of the natural enemies of the scale insect. 

 Attention is called to the controverted points concerning the importance of preda- 

 ceous insects and fungus diseases in the destruction of injurious insects. The author 

 believes that the effectiveness of parasites is limited in all cases and that only a 

 minor significance can be astTibed to the natural enemies of scale insects in control- 

 ling the ravages of the latter. 



The rsd spider of citrus trees, C. W. Woodworth {California Sta. Bid. 14.5, pp. 

 19, fig><. 5). — Comjjlaints having been received of injuries caused by red spiders on 

 citrus trees, an investigation was made of this sul)ject. It was found that the species 

 concerned was Tetraiujchiis mylilaspidifi. Notes are given on the habits and life history 

 of the mite and the species is described in detail in all its stages. The chief natural 

 enemies of this mite are ladybirds, lace-winged flies, predaceous mites, a species of 

 Coniopteryx, and a fungus disease. Coniopteryx api^ears to be the most important 

 natural enemy of the red spider. It works entirely upon the egg of the mite, the 

 larvje being in constant search for the eggs of the red spider, which are punctured as 

 soon as found. Experiments in combating the red spider indicate that fumigation is 

 of no value; that sulphur is not as effective as it is for the red spider of deciduous 

 trees; and that while spraying is a difhcult operation and best done both from the 

 inside and outside of orange trees, good results may be expected from the use of sul- 

 phid of potash. This material was prepared according to the following formula: 

 Potash 32 lbs., sulphur 37 lbs., salt 2 lbs., water 50 gal. It was found that the red 

 spider does not cause the spots on citrus fruits, as has been supposed, but injures the 

 leaves, and when present in large numbers causes a dropping of the iruit. 



The orange bark weevil {Agr. Newx [Barbados], 1{1903), No. IS, p. 280). — A spe- 

 cies of (Jryptorhyncluis was found attai'king orange trees in Granada and is believed 

 to be present in other parts of the West Indies. A brief description of the insect in 

 its different stages is given. The larv;e or pupse may be killed in the bark with a knife, 

 or the trunk of the trees may be painted with a preparation containing crude car- 

 bolic acid, whale-oil soap, and clay. 



The mosquito blight of tea, H. H. Mann {Planting Opinion, 7 {1902), No. 50, 

 pp. 847-851). — The insect which causes mosquito blight of tea in India is Helltisope 

 theivora. It is a plant bug and the eggs are deposited in the green stalks or weeds. 

 The insect passes the winter in both the adult and egg stages. The eggs are depos- 

 ited in various positions, so that it seems impossible to control the species by severe 

 pruning in early spring. Experiments in stimulating the growth of tea and in irri- 

 gating the jilants for the purpose of controlling this insect were not very effective. 

 The best results were obtained from applications of kerosene emulsion in the spring. 

 The applications were made about 3 or 4 weeks before pruning. 



The coffee borer in XJsambara, F. Stuhlmann {Ber. Land u. Forstw. DeutscJi- 

 Odafrika, 1 {1902), No. 2, pp. 154-161, pi. i).— The insect discussed in this note is 

 Antliores leuconotus. A brief account is given of the life history of the species and a 

 description is presented of the insect in its different stages. It is suggested that 

 remedial measures should include destruction of larvte by burning infested trees, the 

 capture ot adult beetles, and the destruction of the young larvte by poisoning the 

 trunks. 



Report on a trip to the region of Mkamba for the purpose of infecting 

 grasshoppers with the grasshopper fungus, Lommel {Ber. Land it. Forstn: 

 Deutsck- Ostafrika , 1 {1902), No. 2, pp. 176-181).— An extensive trip was made by the 

 author for the purpose of locating swarms of grasshoppers and trying infection 

 experiments by means of the grasshopper fungus. In many localities it was found 

 impossil)le to practice this method with success. The information which was obtained 

 from the natives regarding the depiedations of grasshoppers and the direction taken 



