COCCIDuE AND THEIR ENEMIES ABROAD. 51 



generally distributed, but is serious only by sporadic outbreaks as 

 stated by Prof. Silvestri. This species is attacked by Coccinellidas of 

 the genera Chilocorus and Exochomus. Silvestri states that some 

 Acari (mites) eat the eggs. 



Saissetia olese, the black scale, is another pest generally distributed 

 through Spain, Italy, and Sicily, but is in such perfect control in 

 these countries as to be of no special economic importance. Wherever 

 it was seen the writer always found ScuteUista cyanea Motsch., the 

 internal parasite, attacking it. Prof. Silvestri states that the black 

 scale is attacked in Italy and Sicily by ScuteUista cyanea, CoccopJiagus 

 fiavoscutellum Ashm., Erastria scitula Ramb., and Coccinellidse of the 

 genera Chilocorus and Exochomus. 



Pseudococcus citri is the species of insect which is of the greatest 

 interest to many citrus fruit growers in this country. The purple 

 and black scales can be easily controlled by artificial means, espe- 

 cially fumigation, but these methods have thus far proven unsuc- 

 cessful against the citrus mealy bug. In certain parts of southern 

 California Pseudococcus citri is a very serious pest. However, in 

 Italy and Sicily as well as to a large extent in Spain it is in such per- 

 fect control as to be of little commercial importance. Only one grove 

 in Spain was seen by the writer to be at all severely infested by this 

 pest, and in this many larvae and pupae of a dipterous parasite were 

 observed among the masses of mealy bugs. A second species of 

 parasitic insect, probably a dipteron, was observed in another part 

 of that country. 



The mealy bug was seen in many groves in Sicily, but always to 

 such a limited extent as to do no injury to the trees. Practically 

 every mass of insects examined showed evidence of parasitism. A 

 dipterous species appeared most common. Prof. Silvestri informed 

 the writer that Pseudococcus citri is attacked in that country by two 

 species of Chalcididae, by two to three species of Neuroptera, by a 

 species of Leucopis, and by Coccinellidse of the genera Chilocorus and 

 Exochomus. 



Since the citrus mealy bug is so well under control in Italy and 

 Sicily as well as to a great extent in Spain, it is at once evident that 

 this region should prove a fertile field for study in an endeavor to 

 overcome the mealy-bug pest on citrus trees in America. That 

 natural enemies take a leading part in this natural control of the 

 citrus mealy bug in southern Europe must be admitted by anyone 

 who has carefully examined the prevailing conditions there. The 

 writer is of the opinion that a thorough investigation of the citrus 

 districts of the Mediterranean by a competent entomologist, including 

 extended shipments to this country of the different available natural 

 enemies of such citrus pests as Pseudococcus, Saissetia, and Lepido- 

 saphes, especially the former, would prove a very profitable economic 

 investment for the citrus fruit growers of America. 



