.557 



Hartung (W. J.) & Severin (H. H. P.). Natural Enemies of the 

 Sugar-Beet Leaf -Hoppers in California. — Mthly. Bull. State 

 Cammiss. Hortic, Sacramento, Cal., iv, nos. 5 and 6, May and 

 June 1915, pp. 277-279, 1 table. 



In order to secure data on the percentage of parasitised examples of 

 Eutettix teneJla, Baker (sugar-beet leaf -hopper), specimens were collected 

 by sweeping beet leaves with an insect net. On 2nd September 1913. 

 500 insects were collected from leaves showing a severe condition of 

 " curly-top." During the three weeks following, 12 puparia of a 

 Dipterous parasite and 12 dead leaf-hoppers were found in the breeding 

 jars. Four Jassids showed the presence of a larval sac of a Dryinid 

 beneath one or other wing ; each hopper thus attacked died after the 

 emergence of the larva. The pupal period of the Diptera lasted for 

 22 days and that of the Dryinidae 40 days. The Dipterous parasites 

 were identified as Pipunculus industrius and P. vagabundus and the 

 Dryinid as Gonatopus contortuhis. From the data obtained during 

 1914, 33 "6 per cent, of the leaf-hoppers were parasitised. A fungus 

 disease was found to attack the hoppers in one locality. 



VosLER (E. J.). Calendar of Insect Pests. — Mthly. Bull. Stale Commiss. 

 Hortic., Sacramento, Cal., iv, nos. 5 and 6, May and June 1915, 

 pp. 230-284, 2 figg. 



The leaves of deciduous fruit trees are often seriously damaged by 

 the brown mite [Bryobia pratensis] and the two-spotted mite. The 

 eggs of red spiders [Tetranychus sp.], deposited on the under side of 

 the leaves, can be destroyed by dusting or spraying with sulphur. 

 Lime-sulphur, diluted to 2 per cent, or 2| per cent, strength and applied 

 at a pressure of from 150 to 200 lb., will effectively control the citrus 

 red spider [Tetranychus mytilaspidis]. Diabrotica soror can be killed 

 by spraying with lead arsenate, 4 lb. to 50 U.S. gals, water. The distri- 

 bution of the orange thrips [Scirtothrips citri] in CaUfornia is limited 

 to the San Joaquin Valley and the southern orange belt ; four appli- 

 cations of lime-sulphur or nicotine spray may be necessary to control 

 this insect. 



Insect Notes. — Mthly. Bull. State Commiss. Hortic, Sacramento, Cal., 

 iv, nos. 5 and 6, May and June 1915, 285-286. 



Hypera variabilis (Phytonomus posticus) (alfalfa weevil) has, up to 

 the present time, failed to become estabUshed in California. Aphis 

 pomi (green apple aphis) was reported from Sonoma county. Polycaon 

 confertus (olive-twig borer) was present in various parts of north 

 California. Specimens of the first generation of Hippodamia con- 

 vergens were abundant in Sacramento county on 22nd April. Typh- 

 locyba comes (grape leaf-hopper) has been reported in Ventura county. 

 Several thousand specimens of the new Encyrtid parasites of the 

 citrus mealy bug from Sicily, hitherto known as Leptomastix, have 

 been distributed. A small Coccinellid in all stages was found to be 

 destroying Aulacaspis rosae (rose scale) in Sacramento. A Douglas 

 spruce in Sacramento county has been reported as heavily infested 



