ENTOMOLOGY. 669 



Notes on new and little known Callfomian Coccidir, S. I. Kuwana (pp. 399-408, pla. 

 2). — Detailed descriptive notes are given in connection with observations on the food 

 plants and habits of Eriococcus artemisise, Ripersia feslucsc, Lecanium adenostomsc, and 

 Pscudolecanium tokionis. The first 3 species are described as new. 



The redwood mealy bug, G. A. Coleman {pi>. 409-420). — The author gives a detailed 

 description of Dacti/lopius sequoix in all of its stages. The first specimens of the insect 

 were found on small cultivated redwood trees near Stanford University, and were 

 later found in the university arboretum, as well as through the Sierra Morena Moun- 

 tains. The species was preyed upon by the larva of a ladybird, and an undetermined 

 parasitic fly was bred from female scales. 



The San Jose scale in Japan, S. I. Kuwana (pp. 14). — The author spent several 

 months in Japan during the season of 1900 for the purpose of studying the distri- 

 bution, relative abundance, and parasites of the San Jose scale in that country. The 

 insect was found in all of the islands which were visited. The amount of damage 

 varied from slight attacks in some orchards to complete destruction in others. With 

 few exceptions, however, the insect was nowhere sufficiently abundant to endanger 

 orchards. In some locations pear trees suffered more than apple trees. In one 

 locality the oldest orchard, imported from America about 25 years ago, was not 

 infested. The insect was not found on high elevations, but has been known to be 

 present in Japan for the past 30 years. No native species of trees were infested. The 

 insect is attacked by numerous parasites which almost entirely destroy the female 

 scales in some localities. The food plants, as observed in Japan, include pear, apple, 

 plum, peach, Japanese quince, currant, and willow. Several parasites and ladybirds 

 were observed preying upon the San Jose scale. The species were not identified. 

 In Japan the best spraying jiiachines and insecticides have not been iised for the 

 destruction of the scale and it is, therefore, practically unchecked by artificial 

 methods. Soapsuds, kerosene, and kerosene mixture have been applied with a paint 

 brush in a manner which often causes the death of the trees. 



The currant-bud mite or currant-gall mite (Phytoptus ribis), R. New- 

 stead {Jour. Roy. Hort. Soc. {London], 25 {1901), No. 3, pp. 286-302, figs. 8).— 

 The author describes the appearance of the mite in its different stages and of affected 

 buds. The life history of the mite was worked out again in detail. The mites first 

 appeared in newly formed buds during the second and third weeks of July. Previ- 

 ous to that time they were found on the leafstalks. From this date they increased 

 in numbers, until a maximum was reached in March and April. When the infested 

 buds died the mites died with them in great numbers, and a migration to fresh buds 

 was seldom noted. As many as 3,000 mites may be found in a single infested bud. 

 All varieties of black currants are attacked. The author failed to find a mite on the 

 varieties of red currant. 



The author gives a review of the literature and means of combating this mite, with 

 notes from original observations. The removal of infested buds proved generally 

 unsuccessful, applied on a large scale. On a single row or small patches of currants 

 the method is sometimes more successful. Cutting all bushes down to the ground 

 is reported as an effective method of combating the mite. Liquid insecticides are 

 not recommended. Experiments in immersing infested branches in hot water for 

 various lengths of time gave fairly satisfactory results. The mites were destroyed 

 by immersion for 1 minute in water at a temperature of 140° F. and for 15 minutes 

 at a temperature of 115° F. While this method is perfectly successful in a labora- 

 tory, it can not be managed conveniently on a large scale in the field. Rather con- 

 tradictory results have been obtained by different experimenters with the fumiga- 

 tion method by means of hydrocyanic-acid gas. The author recommends planting 

 clean healthy stock in single rows between other crops or in isolated areas. Plants 

 should be pruned so as to admit plenty of light and careful watch should be main- 

 tained for the first appearance of infestation, when infested patches should be 

 immediately burned. 



