ECONOMIC ZOOLOGY ENTOMOLOGY. 255 



Two new Coccidse, T. D. A. Cockerell {Jour. Econ. Ent., 6 (WIS), No. 1, 

 pp. 142, I'lS). — A new coccid from the Pbilippine Islands living on the bark of 

 Ficus nota, and commonly attended by an ant {DoUchoderus hitiiberculatus), 

 is described as Drosicha lichenoides. A new mealy bug occurring in consider- 

 able abundance on a species of Agropyron, probably A. hiflorum, at Glenwood 

 Springs, Ck)lo., is described at Trionymus xnolascens. 



The date palm scales and their control, W. E. Wilsie {Mo. Bui. Com. Hort. 

 Cal., 2 (191S), No. 5, pp. 5S8, 539).— A brief account of Parlatoria blanchardii 

 and Phcenicococcus marlatti which were introduced into California on the 

 edible date. 



Results of experiments in controlling the gipsy moth by removing its 

 favorite food plants, A. F. Bubgess and D. M. Rogers {Jour. Econ. Ent., 6 

 {1913), No. 1, pp. 75-79). — The experiments here reported followed the de- 

 termination of the fact that it is exceptional for first stage caterpillars to grow 

 and develop when their diet is confined to certain species, including pine, hem- 

 lock, juniper, red cedar, ash, and maple. If, however, half-grown or larger 

 caterpillars feed on the same species, a large percentage of them will develop, 

 and if the same thing happens in the field where the infestation is at all severe, 

 defoliation by the larger caterpillars often results to species which are not par- 

 ticularly favored as a food by the younger larvse. 



The authors find that oaks of all species are the greatest menace to the im- 

 provement and development of New England forests as far as the gipsy moth is 

 concerned. If these were cut the injury by this insect would be greatly 

 reduced, and the same holds true with the brown-tail moth. In certain sections 

 the oaks predominate, but the region is suitable for growing white pine, which 

 is far more valuable, and it is becoming apparent that the oaks will be elim- 

 inated, either gradually as a result of moth attack and other insect injury, or by 

 the efforts of man to bring about a better forest condition which will at the same 

 time serve to hold these destructive pests in check. " Woodland owners out- 

 side the moth infested area should interest themselves in the proper care of 

 their woodlots and should eliminate the oak growth as rapidly as possible so 

 that the trees in their forests will not furnish suitable food for tlie species 

 when it arrives." 



In an area of 7 acres where the tree growth was chiefly chestnut, with some 

 gray birch and oak, and where the infestation was heavy, the oak and other 

 trees, except chestnut and a few conifers, were removed and the brush and 

 slash burned. This left a stand of chestnut trees averaging from 35 to 45 ft. 

 in height, all of which were badly infested. Occasional visits made during the 

 season failed to indicate any defoliation of the chestnut trees. Other experi- 

 ments along this line, with much similar results, are reported. 



Spruce bud worm and spruce leaf miners, O. A. Johannsen {Maine Sta. 

 Bui. 210, pp. 11-36, pis. S, figs. 5).— The author states that during the past 2 

 or 3 years this insect has been the most serious pest of spruces in Maine. The 

 species appears to be a native of this country, having first been described in 

 1865, and there are accounts of ravages of an insect believed to be this as early 

 as 1807. It is at present widely distributed over eastern Canada, northern 

 New England, New York, Vancouver, and Manitoba. In addition to spruces 

 it attacks firs, larch (or tamarack), hemlock, and white pine. 



The fact that the insect chiefly attacks the buds and new shoots makes its 



presence in timber land a serious problem. The presence of this pest is made 



known by the appearance of the trees in late spring or early summer, when 



they look as if a light fire had passed through them. The caterpillars feed 



1506°— No. 3—13 5 



