242 



were white with a very i)ale x>iiikish band across the dorsum of the ab- 

 dominal segments. The liead, cervical plate, and thoracic legs were 

 black and the face brownish. The cervical plate possesses a narrow, 

 l^ale median line, the piliferous warts were minute and black and the 

 anal jilate yellowish, dusky, or black. These larvae spun their cocoons 

 either under the epidermis of the potato or outside, generally in some 

 depression. In the latter case it was covered with x)articles of the skin 

 of the tuber so that it was difficult to detect. Several other potatoes 

 were received early in December. From these two lots a large series 

 of the moths were bred. They issued almost daily from November 13 

 well on into December. The different stages of the insect, drawn from 

 life, are show at Fig. 27. 



We supposed at tirst that the insect had been accidentally imported 

 from either New Zealand or Australia upon one or more of the regular 

 steamers in the steward's supplies, as potatoes are not imported com- 

 mercially to any extent from either of these countries. Mr. W. A. Web- 

 ster, however, writing under date of November 26, informs us that the 

 potatoes sent were of the first crop and had been out of the ground pro- 

 bably since August ; that they were obtained from a Chinese gardener 

 and that he is strongly impressed with the possibility that the insect was 

 imported from China, as goods are constantly being brought over by 

 Chinese merchants and many seeds and bulbs as well. Mr. Webster 

 is positive that this is the first season tliat the insect has been found 

 near Bakersfield. 



REMEDIES. 



It is strange that this insect should make its appearance at a com- 

 paratively inland point like Bakersfield, and this fact makes it all the 

 more important that strenuous efforts should be made to stamp it out 

 before it obtains a foothold. Wherever the insect is found we urge the 

 immediate destruction of the infested potatoes. No remedy, for the 

 present, will be necessary beyond the careful examination of potatoes 

 and the immediate sequestration and destruction of all found to be in- 

 fested. Sound potatoes, also, should be more carefully packed or 

 stored in tight rooms. 



A GENUS OF MANTIS EGG-PARASITES. 



There are, according to Westwood's revision, more than five hundred 

 species of Mantidiii in different parts of the world, and it is safe to say 

 that in almost every instance where any species has been at all carefully 

 studied it has been found that its egg masses are pierced by a species 

 of the peculiar Chalcidid genus Podagrion. Very few of these forms 

 have been described, but a large number exist in the various museums. 

 Westwood mentions the rearing of several tropical species; Walker 

 has described a species from Australia ; P.pachymerits is a common para- 



