IXSFCTS ETC. INJURIOUS TO VARIOUS CROPS I063 



Among natural enemies, •■ red fmigvis " [Ascheisoiiia Aleyrodis Webber) 

 and " brown fungus" [Aegerita Webber i Fawcett) grow badly on the Alcn- 

 rothrixus and certainly cannot prevent its spread. The writei found on some 

 dead larvae a Cladospotium (in the proportion of 80 %) which he considers 

 to-be the direct cause of their death, although he was not able to verify 

 his hypothesis by inoculating living larvae with pure cultures. 



The most effective and active natuia] enemy, however, is vmdoubtedly 

 a small hymenopteron [Erctmocems haldemani) the female of which lays its 

 eggs in the body of the laivae or pupae of Aleiirothrixiiy.. The latter are 

 then killed by the larvae hatching out of the eggs in their bodies. 



As regards artificial means of control, good results are obtained by ap- 

 plying oily mixtures in the early days of March, the first half of June, about 

 the middle of August and the beginning of November, when the parasites 

 are in their early stages of development and more sensitive to insecticidal 

 action. 



The following formula is ad\'ised: to 8 lbs. whale oil soap add 2 galls, 

 of fine paraffin oil, stirring vigorously all the while so that the whole is 

 well emulsified. Add i gall, of water to the emulsion, stirring as before. 

 Dilute emulsion to make 200 galls, of spray solution. 



837 - Jcerya purchasi in Florida, United States. — nwwsox i. r. in University of 



Florida, Agricultural Experiment Station, Report u r nji), p. 55. 'rallahassee, Fla., 1916. 



Icerva purchasi has continued to spread with continually greater rap- 

 idity. From August 191 3 to March 1914, it was discovered in the follow- 

 ing localities : St. Cloud, Key West, Odessa (Pasco County), Terra Ceia 

 Island, Palmetto, Leesburg, Tavares, Ashton and Narcoosee. 



The damage has been very serious, especially at Key W'est, where Ice- 

 rya even attacks Burscra Simaruba (gumbo-limbo). This plant must be 

 added to the list of hosts of this scale insect. 



S38 - Bombyx Pini, a Spanish Pest of Pine (i). — Mir.\ jenaro in Kevista de 



Monies, Xl,th year, No. '140, pp. luj-^oj, Madrid, March 13, 1916. 



Reference is made to the extensive damage caused by Liparis proces- 

 sionea and Bombyx pini in the pine forests of the " Dehesa de la Albufera " ; 

 the particulars given chiefly concern the latter insect. 



Many trees entirely defoliated perished rapidl}*, especially in hot and 

 moist regions where transpiration is more intense. 



The control of the insects was undertaken by means of active and 

 well organised measures, owing to which, by the resort to every available 

 means, an enormous quantit}' of adults and larvae were destroyed, thus 

 saving a considerable number of pines from certain destruction. 



The following were the most effective means used : 



i) Direct control by removal and destruction of the nests of the 

 insects ; hanging out white cloths at night, covered with a sticky substance 

 and strongly illuminated; the adults, attracted by the light, are caught on the 

 cloth ; 



(i) See al?o li. Jan. i()i6. No. i,',fi. (Id.) 



