349 



places were examined, only a few winged forms were present, where 

 earlier in the season the damage from the larvae had been serious. 

 It would therefore appear that this pest winters in the adult stage. 

 Chrysomphalus dictyospermi was found on palms in a greenhouse. 

 Isaria fungus is controlling Saissetia oleae, Bern., to a considerable 

 extent. Dialeurodes citri (citrus white fly) has again made its appear- 

 ance, but as a large percentage of larvae were killed in experiments 

 with oil emulsions, complete control is anticipated. Leplomastix sp., 

 the new parasite from Italy of the citrus mealy bug [Pseudococcus citri], 

 was colonised during Januarv. 



Fernald (H. T.). Some Present Needs in Economic Entomology. — 



Jl. Econ. Ento)ii., Concord, viii, no. I, February 1915, pp. 30-40. 



This is the annual address of the President of the American 

 Association of Economic Entomologists and consists of a survey of 

 the general positioii of, as well as of the needs of Economic Entomology, 

 at the present time. These include the more complete and accurate 

 study of subjects already more or less known, as well as the inves- 

 tigation of new ones. The continued study of the gipsy moth has 

 probably doubled our knowledge of this insect and its habits. There 

 is however still much more to be known and there is, generally, great 

 need for complete and exhaustive studies of the life-histories of even 

 common insect pests, as well as of those which may become so. 

 When Heterocampa guttivitta, Walk., suddenly became destructive 

 in the U.S.A. some years ago, practically no information regarding 

 the insect was available. Much research is needed in connection with 

 insecticides and especially into the causes of the damage done by 

 them to the trees sprayed. A case is cited of two peach orchards, 

 one in Northern Ohio and the other in Virginia, which were sprayed 

 on the same day with the same material at the same strength, 

 and, so far as could be determined, under precisely similar conditions ; 

 one was severely injured and the other escaped. No explanation 

 was forthcoming, but a case of this kind serves to emphasise 

 the necessity for a critical study of all the factors concerned in 

 spraying. The introduction of parasites is likely to prove an 

 increasingly important method of attacking pests, but the work 

 should be conducted only by the most competent persons. Much 

 further knowledge of the effects of temperature and food conditions 

 upon insects is needed, in order to clear up questions connected 

 with reproduction and longevity, and a careful study of climate 

 in relation to pest outbreaks, combined with better knowledge 

 of the life-histories, may in future enable useful warnings to be issued 

 and the outbreaks forestalled. More accurate knowledge of the 

 distribution of insect pests or possible pests is required, and the reasons 

 for any real or apparent spread must be sought for. The great difficulty 

 of preventing the importation of pests is referred to and the author 

 says that, in his opinion, the time will come when, in spite of laws and 

 inspections, the pests from one country -^dll become the pests of all 

 others, except where climate, lack of food and other natural conditions 

 operate to prevent it. 



