64 



source, original coutributions to kuowledge of insect life, or communi- 

 cations that will in any way advance economic entomology. A promi- 

 nent author and naturalist, and one deeply interested in the habits of 

 insects, so nearly expresses our intentions and wishes in a recent letter 

 that we quote the following passage therefrom: 



M;iy I be permitted also to express ruy gratification at the action of the Agricnlt- 

 nral Burean in making this new departure. In my judgment it is a highly impor- 

 tant and valuable addition to the study of economical entomology, and indirectly will 

 tend to stimulate all investigations into the habits of our insect fauna. I s-incerely trust 

 that this monthly bulletin will be a prominent feature of your Division, and that it 

 will assume a broader character as it develops and become a national organ of all who 

 are working in the field which it covers ; that it will represent us before the entomol- 

 ogists of Europe, and will thus become what we have so long needed, a vehicle of com- 

 munication between the more scientific workers and students and the masses of intel- 

 ligent people, as well as an organ of interchange of facts and theories between ento- 

 mologists themselves. 



Importation of Insect Parasites.— It is rarely that such an excellent op- 

 portunity offers for practically exemijlifying the benefit that may 

 accrue from the artificial introduction of parasites of introduced in- 

 sects that are injurious to agriculture as has lately been afforded 

 by the history of that most destructive of Californiaii pests the 

 Fluted Scale (Icerya purchasi). At our request and through the 

 kind efforts of Mr. Frazer S. Crawford, of Adelaide, South Aus- 

 tralia, the Dii^terous parasite, described by Dr. Williston on page 21 

 of this journal, has been successfully introduced, but with what final 

 results we shall indicate later on. The subject is, however, so im- 

 portant that we have long wished to have a thorough study made of the 

 parasites of the Icerya in Australia, with a view to a systematic effort 

 to introduce them alive. The Commissioner of Agriculture appealed to 

 Congress for authorization to send an agent to Australia for such pur- 

 pose, but without avail, as there has for some years been a clause in the 

 bill appropriating for several of the divisions of the Department which 

 confines investigations within the limits of the United States. We are 

 glad to announce, however, that through the public spirit of the com- 

 missioners to the Melbourne Exposition, and of the Secretary of State, 

 the Commissioner of Agriculture has been able to send an agent, and 

 Mr. Albert Koebele sailed on the 23d of August under our instructions, 

 from which we quote the following : 



As you have already been informed, your mission to Australia is for the purpose of 

 making an investigation of the parasites of Icerya purchasi, with a view of introduc- 

 ing them into California. It will be necessary for you to go to Adelaide to see Mr. 

 Frazer S. Crawford, who sent the Dipterous parasites and the Colostomas (or rather 

 ilonojihlabus craivfordi) to Mr. Klee and Mr. Coquillett at my request. This Dipte- 

 rous parasite has been named by Dr. Williston Lestophonus icerya', and at Adelaide 

 you will probably be able to study this insect carefully. Make the most careful in- 

 vestigations wherever you can learn of the occurrence of Icerya, and find as many of 

 its natural enemies in Australia as possible. Find out also the periods at which these 

 parasites oviposit, and ascertain the season at which success in importation will be 



