442 journal of economic entomology [vol. 10 



Life-History 



The winter is passed in the adult stage in a more or less active con- 

 dition upon the food plants or upon the plants in the near vicinity. 

 In March and April the eggs are laid in few or great numbers on the 

 very small leaves of the tender shoots. The young nymphs feed at 

 the edges of the leaves, causing a decided curling and thickening of 

 those places (Fig. 3) and producing quite a definite leaf-gall. The 

 galls enlarge with the leaves and are at first of the same color, but grad- 

 ually become lighter and later bright reddish and eventually brown or 

 black. As previously stated, the nymphs usually remain within the 

 galls until maturity is reached when the latter are deserted and often 

 become the abode of other insects, especially mealy bugs {Pseudococcus 

 spp.). There are several broods a year, the last one maturing in 

 October and November. Two broods are reported in Europe.^ 



Distribution 



The first specimens of this insect were collected in Oakland, Alameda 

 Count}^ and in San Mateo County by Mr. O. E. Bremner.^ No other 

 infestations were reported until October 1914 when Mr. C. J. Pearsons, 

 a graduate student at the University of California, found it in a nur- 

 sery at Niles, Alameda County. These are the only known records 

 for California and the United States. In Europe the insect is quite 

 generally distributed. 



Food Plants 



The only recorded food plant in this state is the laurel or sweet bay 

 {Laurus nobilis Linn.). In Europe the insect attacks, besides the 

 above, the cherry laurel or English laurel {Prunus laurocerasus Linn.) 

 and the Canary laurel {Laurus canariensis W. & B.). As opportunity 

 is afforded these trees will also probably become infested in California. 



Control 



The control of this pest is very difficult. Besides being covered 

 with a thick waxy secretion which is resistant to sprays, the nymphs 

 are also protected in the leaf-galls from ordinary control measures. 

 The adults which are present practically the entire year are exceed- 

 ingly active and fly away as soon as the infested plants are disturbed. 



Fumigation readily kills all forms, but it is usually impossible to 

 confine the adults under a tent or get them to a fumigating house. 

 The nymphs and eggs, may however, be effectually killed in this way. 



iSulc, Karel, Sitz. Kon. Boh. Ges. Wiss. Prag, pt. XVI, p. 51, 1912. 

 2 Crawford, D. L., Mthly. Bui. Cal. Hort. Com., I, No. 3, p. 86, 1912, and Bui. 85, 

 U. S. Nat. Mus., p. 95, 1914. 



