5l8 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL.84 



Mr. O. H. Swezey published a complete list in 1925. Of course these 

 90 species by no means comprise all that have been introduced experi- 

 mentally into the islands. As Doctor Imms points out, the far greater 

 number of species have failed to become established. A complete 

 list is not available, but many are recorded. It is not fair, however, 

 to report these as failures. Doctor Imms treats this question very 

 well in the following- words: " In judging the success or failure of 

 these experiments it should be pointed out that the objective is to 

 bring about a reduction in the numbers of the pest concerned. If, for 

 example, introductions are attempted with 10 dififerent species of 

 parasites and only two species succeed in establishing themselves and 

 these two are effective in restraining the host, the experiment is to be 

 regarded as successful. It is wide of the mark to say that there were 

 eight ' failures.' " It is probable that a large proportion of the eight 

 could have been established with continued experiment, but it was not 

 deemed worth while to do so, since the desired end had been met by 

 the establishment of two. Also, by our experience in this country, it 

 is altogether likely that many of the species not considered as having 

 been established will turn up one of these days. We have known and 

 recorded instances in this country where this has happened even after 

 20 years. 



Before leaving the subject I wish to call especial attention to the 

 fact that the Japanese rice borer, Chilo simplex, was first observed 

 in Hawaii in the autumn of 1927. It was probably introduced from 

 Japan in rice straw used as packing for merchandise. Attempts have 

 been made to introduce the natural enemies of this insect from Japan, 

 and the following species have been liberated : Phanurus beneficiens 

 Zchnt., Trichogrmuma japomcnni Ashm., Ainyosoma chilonis Vier., 

 and Apantclcs sp. It is especially to be hoped that these parasites will 

 take hold, since the United States is threatened by the same pest. 

 Rice straw packing frequently arrives at Pacific ports with active liv- 

 ing larvae of the Chilo. The objects packed are frequently very cheap 

 affairs intended for the ten-cent stores, and they are therefore sent 

 all over the country. Is this Chilo already breeding in United States 

 territory? I fear so. 



ITALY 



Prospaltclla bcrlcsci How. was sent to Berlese in Italy from the 

 United States Bureau of Entomology in Washington in 1908. In 191 3 

 Berlese reported its absolute success, its wonderful spread and de- 

 struction of the nuilbcrry scale. In the meantime Silvestri had been 

 introducing into Italy a number of Coccinellids. In 1913 he reported 



