HISTORY. tt 
ized. A small field test proved that the mites increased and spread 
(Rangel, 1901¢). 
In 1902 Dr. Wm. H. Ashmead described Bruchophagus herrere, 
from Coahuila, Mexico, as a primary parasite of the boll weevil (Ash- 
mead, 1902). In the same year Prof. F. W. Mally recorded the 
fact that Bracon mellitor Say and Cerambycobius (Hupelmus) cyani- 
ceps Ashm. had, since 1899, been bred by him in considerable num- 
bers from the weevil. He also recorded a species of Eurytoma 
(Mally, 1902). In 1904 Hunter and Hinds recorded additional pri- 
mary parasites as follows: Sigalphus curculionis Fitch (fig.3), Catolaccus 
yncertus Ashm., Urosigalphus (robustus Ashm.), Bracon (dorsator Say), 
and Hurytoma tylodermatis 
Ashm., as well as an ento- 
mogenous fungus, Aspergil- 
lus sp. (Hunter and Hinds, 
1904, pp. 104-110). The 
determination of this Uro- 
sigalphus has been found 
incorrect. It has just been 
described as Urosigalphus 
anthonomi Cwfd. (Crawford, 
1907a). The form known 
under the name of Bracon 
dorsator is merely a small, 
melanistic, fall form of Bracon mellitor Say. Finally, Banks has 
described a mite, Tyroglyphus breviceps, collected at Victoria, Tex., 
from boll weevil larve (Banks, 1906, p. 17). 
Fig. 3.—Sigalphus curculionis: a, male; b, female; c, 
antenna. All enlarged (after Riley). 
THE WORK ON PARASITES IN 1906. 
As the work of the year naturally divided itself into distinct sec-. 
tions, it may be thus divided for treatment in this report: 
I. Examination work—ascertaining the general status of boll weevil parasitism. 
II. Propagation work—attempting to increase the percentage of parasitism by 
release of parasites. 
III. Breeding work—study of the biology of the parasites. ; 
IV. Source work—study of the surrounding field conditions in order to ascertain 
the hosts which have contributed the parasites, and to learn the biology of 
each of these hosts. 
VY. Conclusions—a review of the situation as a whole. 
I. EXAMINATION WoRK. 
In order to arrive at a proper knowledge of the status of boll 
weevil parasitism large collections of infested squares and_ bolls 
under various plant and field conditions were made in many parts 
of the weevil territory. This material was immediately shipped to 
the laboratory and examined by the various members of the labora- 
