215 



Natural control is effected by predaceous insects, especially tlie 

 Coccinellids, Megilla maculata, DeG., and Hippodmnia convergens, 

 Guer., Podisus maculiventris, Say (spined soldier-bug), Stiretnis 

 anchorago, F. (bordered soldier-bug), as well as wasps {Polistes pallipes, 

 Lep.) and small dragonflies {Ischnura posita, Hagen). The eggs are 

 parasitised by a Chalcid, Tetrastichus asparagi, Cwfd. 



The best remedial measure for general practice is spraying with 

 lead arsenate solution, composed of 4 lb. lead arsenate paste to 50 

 U.S. gals, water or Bordeaux mixture, the number of sprayings 

 depending on local and seasonal conditions. 



C. duodecimpunctata; L. (twelve-spotted asparagus beetle) is a 

 somewhat less injurious species, living like the preceding exclusively 

 on asparagus, the chief damage being done by the hibernated beetles, 

 which attack the tender shoots in early spring. Later generations 

 attack the foliage, while a considerable part of the larval stage is 

 passed within the ripening berries. A thorough spraying with lead 

 arsenate, as recommended for C. asparagi, should be sufficient for 

 its control. 



Burgess (A. F.). The Gipsy Moth and the Brown-tail Moth and their 

 Control. — U.S. Depl. Agric, Washington, D.C., Farmers' Bull, 

 no. 845, September 1917, 28 pp., 13 figs. [Received 7th March 

 1918.] 



The subject matter of this bulletin has already been noticed [see 

 this Bevieiv, Ser. A, ii, p. 294]. 



Runner (G. A. ). The Tobacco Beetle and how to Prevent Damage by it. 



U.S. Dept. Agric, Washington, D.C.. Farmers' Bull. no. 846, 

 August 1917, 22 pp., 7 figs. [Received 7th March 1918.] 



This bulletin summarises the nature and extent of the damage done 

 by Lasioderma serricorne, F. (tobacco beetle or cigarette beetle) 

 to manufactured and stored tobacco. The methods of control by 

 the action of cold, heat or steam, by fumigating with hydrocyanic 

 acid gas or carbon bisulphide, and by treatment Avith Rontgen rays 

 are described [see this Review, Ser. A, iv, p. 385, and vi, p. 183]. 



WoGLUM (R. S.) & Neuls (J. D.). The Common Mealy-bug and its 

 Control in California. — U.S. Dept. Agric., Washington, D.C., 

 Farmers' Bull. no. 862, September 1917, 16pp.. 4 figs. [Received 

 7th March 1918.] 



Pseiidococcus citri, Risso (common mealy-bug) and P. citrophilus, 

 Glaus., are pests which it is impossible to eradicate or satisfactorily 

 control by any single method, such as fumigation, spraying, or the 

 artificial propagation of insect enemies. A recommended form of 

 procedure which combines these is here given, with directions for 

 the preparation of two new sprays. 



The formula given for the preparation of cresolated distillate emul- 

 sion is : — Distillate (28° Be.), 2f U.S. gals. ; liquor cresolis compositus, 

 U.S.P., If quarts ; liquid fish-oil soap, 1 quart ; soap powder (sodium 

 carbonate 40-60 per cent., caustic soda 40-60 per cent.), 3 lb. ; water 



