348 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 12 



of mature larvse, which have ceased feeding in fruit, have been found 

 to cocoon for hibernatjion as early as the 12th of September. The 

 direct result of extensive parasitic attacks at this time of the year is, 

 obviously, a material decrease in the size of the overwintering brood 

 upon whose numbers the severity of spring twig infestation by this 

 insect is indirectly dependent. 



Eleven species of parasites were reared, seven of which have not 

 been recorded previously as attacking the peach moth. A tachinid, 

 Euzenillia variabilis Coquillett (det. C. T. Greene, U. S. Bureau of 

 Entomology), the only dipterous parasite secured, had probably 

 attacked the larva of its host prior to cocooning, and had then pupated 

 within its partially constructed cocoon. During the latter part of the 

 season, Macrocentrus sp. appeared in sufficient numbers to give it 

 first rank in the records of hymenopterous parasites reared. According 

 to Mr. R. A. Cushman, U. S. Bureau of Entomology, to whom the 

 writer is indebted for determinations unless otherwise noted, this 

 species, which parasitizes the codling moth (C. pomonella) as well, 

 attacks the larva of the peach moth. While the larva feeds, the 

 parasite develops, finally spinning its cocoon within that of its host. 

 A number of specimens of Dihrachys houcheanus (Ratzeburg) (det. A. 

 B. Gahan, U. S. Bureau of Entomology), the only secondary parasite 

 reared, were taken from cocoons of Macrocentrus within which they 

 had pupated. Of the remaining hymenopterous parasites, five — 

 Rhogas platypterigis Ashm., Habrohracon gelechioB Ashm., Euhadizon 

 gracilis Prov., Goniozus sp. (det. S. A. Rohwer, U. S. Bureau of Ento- 

 mology), and Leucodesmia nigriventris Girault (det. J. C. Crawford, 

 U. S. Bureau of Entomology) — attack L. molesta in the larva stage; 

 and three — Itoplectis conquisitor (Say), Pimplidea cequallis (Prov.), 

 and Phcegenes (Centeterus) sp. (det. A. B. Gahan, U. S. Bureau of 

 Entomology) — attack L. molesta in the prepupa or pupa stages. 



Experiments with various sprays, including those commonly recom- 

 mended for the suppression of insect enemies of peach and the other 

 deciduous fruits which this pest attacks, have been variable in their 

 results — mostly unsatisfactory. The role played by these minute 

 dipterous and hymenopterous forms in the control of this recently 

 established insect cannot, therefore, be too highly valued at the pres- 

 ent time. 



