758 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. [Vol. 40 



for it, since it is indigenous to and well distributed over the warmer portions of 

 South and Central America and the West Indies, where it is regarded as only 

 less destructive than the Mediterranean fruit fly. Infestation of citrus fruit 

 by it has increased during the past three or four years until in March, April, 

 and May, 1918, the percentage of infested oranges was nearly 50, one grower 

 reporting the dropping of at least three-fourths of his crop of grapefruit. 



A number of fruits known to be infested in Argentina are added to the list of 

 hosts recorded by Pierce in the manual previously noted (E. S. R., 38, p. 154). 

 But little is known as yet of the parasites of this species, only a small number 

 having thus far been encountered in rearing thousands of specimens of A. 

 fraterculus from all sorts of fruit hosts. 



The fruit fly of Argentina (Anastrepha fraterculus), E. W. Rtst (Rev. 

 Indus, y Agr. Tueuman, 9 (1918), Xo. 3-4, pp. 33-42).— Substantially noted 

 above. 



A note on the habit of Pegomyia affinis and other anthomyid genera, C. T. 

 Greene (/'roc. Ent. 8oc. Wash.. 20 (1918), Xo. 7. p. 160). 



Some muscoid synonymy, with one new genus, C. II. T. Townsend (Proc. 

 Ent. *•,>■. Wash., 80 [1918), No. 1. pp. 19-21). 



Notes on Zeugophora scutellaris, a European poplar leaf miner, in New 

 Jersey, II. B. WEI88 and A. S. NlCOLAV (Ent. A'nr*. SO (1919), Vo. 5, pp. 12',- 

 127, fig. l). — This chrysomelid was first observed in New Jersey In a nursery 

 at Arlington, feeding nn the foliage <>f poplar (Popuhu deltoides). The species 

 appears to be widely distributed in the Dnited States, having been collected in 

 New Mexico, Illinois, and Indiana. 



The tobacco beetle: An important pest in tobacco products. <'.. A. K in nek 

 (V. 8. Dept. Agr. Bui. 737 (1919), pp. 77, pis. ',. figs. ftf).— This is t detailed 

 report of extended studies of the cigarette beetle, a Fanners' Bulletin relating 

 to which has been previously noted (E. S. EL, 38, p. 61 I, as has alsu a paper on 

 the effect of Roentgen rays on this beetle and the results of experiments with a 

 new form of Roentgen tube ( E. S. R., 35, p. 554 >. 



The life history of this lasecl is briefly summarized by the author as follows: 

 "In material kept constantly warm, breeding is continuous and there may be 

 as many as five or six generations in a year. Under usual conditions in ware- 

 houses in the latitude of Virginia there are ordinarily three or four genera- 

 tions a year. The beetle lives in its food substances during all stages of its 

 existence, and the time required to complete its life cycle depends mainly upon 

 temperature and may be as short as 45 days. Normally, in summer, the time 

 varies from 45 to Til days. The cl'l< are deposited in the food substance, and 

 under usual conditions the incubation period is from G to 10 days, the larval 

 period from 30 to 50 days, and the pupal period from 6 to 10 days. Adults live 

 ordinarily from ,*5 to (> weeks after emergence. In cold climates the species passes 

 the winter mainly in the larva stage. It thrives best in localities where the 

 temperature and humidity are blgh, and, in substances, in which the larva- are 

 protected from rapid evaporation." 



Of its insect enemies the predatory beetle Thaneroclerus girodi is the most 

 important, both larva and adult feeding upon the cigarette beetle. This beetle 

 was first observed in unusually large numbers at Key West. Fla.. in \pril, 1912. 

 It has since been found to be more or le<s common hut much lc^s abundant at 

 Tampa, St. Petersburg. Jacksonville, and Tallahassee, Fla. Specimens were also 

 located at Richmond, 7a., in a package of smoking tobacco Infested with the 

 cigarette beetle which had been returned to the manufacturers from Galveston, 

 Tex. This beetle is said to be well known anion- Cuban ciuarmakers. and an 

 undetermined clerid beetle in the Philippines has been reported by Jones to have 



