ECOITOMIC ZOOLOGY — ENTOMOLOGY. 255 



The western twig borer (Amphicerus punctipennis), E. O. Essig (Mo. Bui. 

 Com. Hort. Cal., 2 {191S), No. 10, pp. 681-684, figs. S).—A brief summarized 

 account of this coleopterous borer, which attacks the algaroba (Prosopis juli- 

 flora), apricot, pear, etc. 



Two ladybirds injurious to potato plants, R. W. Jack {Rhodesia Agr. Jour., 

 11 (1913), No. 1, pp. 77-82, pi. i).— The author states that two species of Epi- 

 lachna {E. dregei and E. hirta), which normally feed on certain wild species 

 of solanaceous plants in Southern Rhodesia, have developed a taste for the 

 potato and are a common source of injury. 



Psylliodes attenuata, the hop or hemp flea beetle {Verhandl. K. K. Zool. 

 Bot. Gesell. Wren, 63 {1913), Nos. 1-2, pp. 1-25, figs. 15; S-4, pp. 98-136, figs. 

 20).— This paper consists of 2 parts. The first by F. Tolg deals with the mor- 

 phology and biology of the immature stages ; the second by F. Heikertinger with 

 the imago, including injury and preventive measures. 



The Mexican cotton boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis), E. W. Bebgeb 

 (Univ. Fla., Off. Insp. Nursery Stock, Circ. 6, 1913, pp. 24, pis. 7, figs. 4). — A 

 general account of the boll weevil, including means of control. 



Utilization of entomophag-ous parasites in combating disease conveying 

 insects, E. Brumpt {Abs. in Ann. MM. V6t., 62 (1913), No. 7, pp. 402-410).^ 

 In discussing the importance of Ixodiphagus caucwrtei, a parasite of ticks re- 

 cently described as new (E. S. R., 27, p. 564), the author states that he has 

 met with considerable success in the experimental infestation of several species 

 of ticks. At Chantilly, Department of Oise, as high as 17 per cent of the nymphs 

 of Ixodes ricinus on deer were found to be parasitized by it, and at Fontaine- 

 bleau under similar conditions as high as 10 per cent. At the latter place two 

 nymphs of Hwmaphysalis concinna were also discovered to be parasitized. Ex- 

 perimentally he succeeded in parasitizing 95 per cent of /. ricinus, 90 per cent of 

 Dermacentor reticulatus, 90 per cent of Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 100 per 

 cent of D. venustus. 



Notes on the biology of this parasite, of which the author has reared four suc- 

 cessive generations in five months, are included. 



The life history and habits of Spalangia niuscidarum, a parasite of the 

 stable fly, H. Pinkus {Psyche, 20 (1913), No. 5, pp. 148-158, pi. 1, fig. 1).— 

 It is stated that the adults of this parasite, recently described as new (E. S. R., 

 29, p. 359), are scavengers from habit, preferring to feed on the remains of 

 the host, and that it is not necessary to furnish prepared food in rearing cages. 

 It is said to be a simple parasite, and does not usually deposit a second time 

 in a single host. In addition to the stable fly, the house fly, horn fly, Helicobia 

 quadrisetosa, and PseudopyreUia cornicina have been parasitized experimentally. 

 That the stable fly is the principal host of this parasite appears to be due to 

 its breeding habits. Breeding is said to progress well at 70° F. and somewhat 

 higher temperatures. The adults become inactive at from 55 to 60°. 



It is possible to propagate these parasites artificially in large numbers 

 throughout the winter and liberate them early in the spring. By this means the 

 first generation of flies may be cut down to a great extent, and this aids in the 

 control of the flies throughout the year. 



A breeding cage, modeled by the author and found to be quite practical for 

 the breeding of this parasite, is described and illustrated. 



Descriptions of ten new genera and twenty-three new species of ichneumon 

 flies, H. L. ViERECK {Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., ^4 (1913), pp. 555-568) .—Among the 

 more important species described as new are Apanteles laspeyresiw, reared from 

 Laspeyresia torenta on Pinus ponderosa at Shasta, Cal. ; A. phycodis, a para- 

 site of Phy codes radiata, and A. plusicE, a parasite on Plusia agramma, both at 



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