315 



scale), Icerya 'purchasi (cottony cushion scale), Hemichionaspis 

 aspidistrae (aspidistra scale), Diahurodes citri (citrus whitefly), 

 Aleurodes spiraeoides, thrips, Eriosoma lanigerum (woolly apple 

 aphis) and other Aphids, Aegeria {Sanninoidea) exiliosa (peach 

 borer), unidentified Lepidopterous larvae, tortoise-shell beetle larva 

 {Cassida sp.), an undetermined Psyllid, Tetranychus telarins (red 

 spider) and Heterodera radicicola (root knot). The results of inspection 

 confirmed the view that shipments by parcel post are far more 

 dangerous from the point of view of infection than shipments by 

 freight. Inspections were made of many orchards and nurseries 

 throughout the State, and fruit product inspection resulted in a new 

 form of quarantine notice directed against codling moth. A meeting 

 of plant inspectors approved further quarantine restrictions against 

 the alfalfa weevil, Hypera variabilis [Phytonomus posticus). 



The control of San Jose scale {Aspidiotus perniciosiis), codling moth 

 {Cydia ponwneUa) and the date palm scale has been continued. 

 Grasshoppers were unusually abundant and destructive early in the 

 year and were successfully treated with a poison-bait mixture of 

 bran, 25 lb., Paris green, 1 lb., molasses, 2 U.S. qts., and 6 lemons \nth. 

 water to moisten. In some cases 90 per cent, of the grasshoppers were 

 killed in four days. A series of experiments in control of the Chalcid 

 infesting alfalfa seed [Bruchophagus fuiiebris] was planned, but the 

 outcome was disappointing and the experiments will be repeated. 

 Nysins minutus, Uhl. (false chinch bug) attacked potatoes and flax, 

 its principal source being apparently the pigweed, Chenopodium 

 album. On weeds, this insect can be destroyed by blast torches or 

 strong sprays of kerosene emulsion. On vegetable crops nicotine 

 sulphate and whale-oil soap solution is recommended. A galvanised 

 iron collector on the hopperdozer plan was devised and this mechanical 

 method of control proved satisfactory. 



Haltica carinala (steel-blue grape-vine flea-beetle), which was 

 abundant in 1915 [see thisi?efieM', Ser. A, iv, p. 317], was reported only 

 from two localities and caused very little damage. Harrisina briUiana 

 (grape-leaf skeletoniser) was unusually abundant. Harpalus penn- 

 sylvanicus caused considerable injury to strawberries. The larvae of 

 this Carabid beetle feed on other insects and the adults also are frequently 

 beneficial in controlling injurious pests ; it is only occasionally that 

 they cause any serious damage by gnawing the fruit to get at the 

 seeds. Bait-traps of meat or sugar and water in basins sunk into the 

 ground have destroyed many similar beetles in England. The most 

 notable instance of insect damage during the year was the extreme 

 abundance of the Nitidulid, Conoielus ntexicanus, Murr., the adults 

 of which attacked the opening buds of blackberries, peaches, roses, 

 citrus blossoms, and cotton blooms. This damage appears to have 

 been quite abnormal, as the beetle has not previously been reported 

 in large numbers nor as a source of important injury. Aspidiotus 

 hederae (ivy scale) was found to be of general occurrence, and must 

 be guarded against as a potential olive pest. Coccus hesperidum (soft 

 brown scale), which is a common pest of oleanders, has been kept 

 under fair control by parasites imported from California. The fumiga- 

 tion of citrus orchards with hydrocyanic acid gas is recommended to 

 complete the extermination of this pest. Scirtothrips citri continued 

 to infest citrus orchards to about the same extent as before. A red 



