521 



natural enemy was a small Corylophid beetle, Sericoderus pecirkamis, 

 Reitt., while others that were fairly numerous were Mucropalpus 

 pygmaeus, Ramb., the Coccinellid, Oxynychus erythrocephahis, F., and 

 a large Chalcid. Less numerous were Coniopteryx psociformis, Curt., 

 Chrysopa vulgaris, Schn., the Coccinellids, Scymnus biverrucatus, Panz., 

 5. syriacus, Mars., Novius (Vedalia) cardinalis, Muls., the Lathridiid, 

 MelanopJithahna carinulata. Mot., 37 unidentified Chalcids, the 

 Braconid, Phanerotoma dentata, Panz., and three other unidentified 

 species, the Noctuids, Rivula sericalis, So., and Eublemma gayneri. 

 Rot., and a Cecidomyiid, Diplosis sp. 



The appendices to this paper comprise a list of the principal food- 

 plants of this mealybug and a description of a method of preparing 

 specimens of it for microscopical examination. 



Criddle (N.). Beetles injurious to Sunflowers in Manitoba. — Canad. 

 Ent., Orillia, Hv, no. 5, May 1922, pp. 97-99. 



Zygogramma {Calligrapha) exclamationis (sunflower leaf beetle) may 

 become an important pest, as it exclusively feeds on these plants and has 

 already spread from wild to cultivated sunflowers. The adults emerge 

 from hibernation in June, and the eggs are laid at the end of the 

 month until July, being placed singly — but frequently in irregular 

 rows — -on the stems and the lower surfaces of the leaves. Egg-laying 

 extends over a period of two or more weeks, and a single female may 

 deposit at least 200. The larvae are usually found clustered around 

 the crown of the plant feeding on the newly formed leaves. Pupation 

 occurs towards the end of July in the soil near the plants where the 

 larvae have fed at various periods. Both adults and larvae feed on the 

 leaves, and have been noted on Helia^ithus giganteus and H. annuus 

 petiolaris. There is only one generation a year in Manitoba. A brief 

 description is given of the egg, larva and adult. Sprays similar to 

 those for potato beetles are recommended as effective. 



Mordellistena pustidata, Melsh. (sunflower pith beetle) was first 

 found in the stems of Amarantus retroflexus (red-root pigweed) and 

 later hibernating in sunflower stems. The larvae feed on the pith, 

 but also injure the more woody parts ; they occur most frequently 

 near the base of the plant, though any portion of the stem may be 

 infested. Several larvae may infest a single stem, remaining there 

 till the following spring, when they pupate, the adults emerging in 

 June. Most of the adults are found on the flowers. 



A weevil, Desmoris constr ictus, Say, has been found in some numbers 

 feeding on the blossoms, but it is not known whether it will become 

 of economic importance. 



Graham (S. A.) . ips pini. Say, as a primary Pest of Jack Pine. — Canad. 

 Ent., Orillia, liv, no. 5, May 1922, pp. 99-100. 



In the summer of 1921, Ips pini. Say,- which usually infests only 

 dead or dying trees, attacked young growing pines, Pinus divaricata 

 and P. resinosa, in Minnesota. The attack was concentrated on a 

 few trees only, and these were heavily infested from the surface of the 

 ground almost to the top with beetles of the first brood. At least 

 90 per cent, of both larvae and adults were destroyed by woodpeckers, 

 but those in the felled trees near by, which had apparently attracted 

 the insects, escaped. The presence of newly felled trees near freshly 

 cut logs emphasises the fact that trap trees should be used with the 

 greatest caution. 



