130 JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY [Vol. 4 



A NOTE ON THE INDIAN ENEMIES OF ALEYRODES CITRI 

 R. & H., WITH DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF 

 PROSPALTELLA 



By L. O. Howard 



In the course of the investigations carried on by the Bureau of 

 Entomology of the United States Department of Agriculture of the 

 white fly of the citrus orchards of Florida (Aleyrodes citri R. & H.), 

 much attention has been paid to the question of natural enemies. 

 This species, however, seems to be singularly free from the attacks of 

 predatory insects, and no insect parasite in America has been dis- 

 covered. There are a number of native species of Aleyrodes, and the 

 climate and flora of California seem to be particularly suitable to the 

 insects of this genus. Moreover, in California they are abundantly 

 parasitized by various species of Aphelininse and certain Procto- 

 trypids. 



In the course of the work in Florida, not only has no parasite been 

 bred from Aleyrodes citri, but in spite of numerous attempts to intro- 

 duce parasites of other species of Aleyrodes sent in from various parts 

 of the United States, the agents of the bureau have not been able to 

 induce them to oviposit in A. citri. The peculiar flattened form of 

 this species and the small amount of sustenance which even a nymph 

 would afford an internal parasite, together perhaps with some other 

 unknown quality, seem to render it unfit for the food of native 

 parasites. 



As a result of these conditions it was deemed doubtful by the writer, 

 and by Mr. Quaintance whose work upon the Aleyrodidse has made 

 him particularly conversant -with this group, whether any true internal 

 hymenopterous parasites of this species exist. Nevertheless, failing 

 mechanical measures of control sufficiently economical in operation 

 to appeal to the practical orange growers of Florida in the way that 

 such measures appeal to the deciduous fruit growers of the more north- 

 ern states, it was deemed advisable to make a thorough search for the 

 original home of the white fly and for possible parasites and predatory 

 enemies which might exist there if the locality should be found. 



In consequence Congress was asked for an appropriation for this 

 purpose, and Mr. R. S. Woglum of the Bureau of Entomology started 

 in July, 1910, on an extended trip. His itinerary need not be described 

 here, but it is interesting to announce that he has found Aleyrodes 

 citri occurring upon citrus plants practically wherever these grow in 



