380 



EssiG (E. O). Control of the Brown Apricot Scale and the Italian 

 Pear Scale on Deciduous Fruit Trees. — California Univ. Agric. 

 Expt. Sta., Berkeley, Circ. 224, December 1920, 11 pp., 5 figs. 

 [Received 1st June'' 1921.] 



In California Eidecaniiim [Lecaniitm) corni, Bch., is a general feeder, 

 attacking practically all kinds of deciduous fruit trees, vines, and 

 many ornamental and wild trees and shrubs. The chief food-plants 

 of Epidiaspis piricola, Del Guer., are apple, prune, pear, plum, peach, 

 currant and Christmas berry. Its chief natural enemy is a Coccinellid, 

 Chilocorus hivulverus, Muls. ; tliat of E. corni is a Hymenopterous 

 parasite, Comys fnsca, How. 



The most effective sprays against these scales are distillate oil 

 emulsions, crude oil emulsions, and miscible oils. The preparation 

 and application of them is described for the use of growers who prefer 

 using home-made insecticides to proprietary brands. 



EssiG (E. O.). The Pear Thrips. — California Univ. Agric. Expt. Sta., 

 Berkeley, Circ. 223, November 1920, 9 pp., 3 hgs. [Received 

 1st June 1921.] 



The life-history of Taeniothrips inconseqiiens, Uzel, in California, 

 has already been noticed [R. A.E., A, iii, 461]. The remedial measures 

 advocated are thorough autumn irrigation and the use of cover crops. 

 The object of the latter is to destroy the insects by producing a cold 

 soil unfavourable to their development. Should these methods not 

 be applicable, deep autumn ploughing is suggested. A spray of 5 gals, 

 miscible oil and 1 pt. Black Leaf 40, made up to 200 gals, with water, 

 should be applied against the adults repeatedly until their numbers 

 decrease. If the larvae become numerous, spraying should be carried 

 out with the above formula modified to 3 gals, of miscible oil and H pts. 

 Black Leaf 40. Experiments with dusts show that a 5 per cent. " Nico- 

 dust " kills all exposed thrips ; it is more efficient against the adults 

 than the immature stages. The best time for applying it is during 

 the heat of the day. 



The natural enemies of this pest are Triphleps tristicolor, White, 

 Chrysopa californica, Coq. (California green lace-wing), Henierobius 

 californicus, Banks, H. pacificiis, Banks, Hippodarnia convergens, 

 Guer., Syrphid flies, etc. 



Other thrips frequently associated with T. inconseqiiens are Frank- 

 Uniella tritici. Fitch (wheat thrips), Helioihrips fasciatiis, Perg. (bean 

 thrips), H. haemorrhoidalis, Bch. (greenhouse thrips), and Eiitlirips 

 occidental is, Perg. (western thrips). 



Webber (H. J.). Annual Report o£ the Director. — California Univ. 

 Agric. Expt. Sta., Berkeley, 1919-20, pp. 13-125. 



Sprays of crude oil emulsions, distillate oils and miscible oils for the 

 control of Enlecaniiirn {Lecaniiini) corni, Bch. (brown apricot scale) 

 have proved efficient if used before the buds begin to open. 



Epidiaspis piricola, Del Guer. (Italian pear scale) causes serious 

 injury to old orchards, attacking chiefly prunes and apples. The 

 insect hides under the rough bark or on moss and smooth bark. It 

 reproduces in great numbers, and feeds on the growing bark. The 

 above-mentioned sprays, especially crude oil emulsions, also control 

 this pest, if the licht-n is first removed from the trees by drenching 

 the trunks and limbs 



