CONTROL OF ^[EALYBUGS 15 



Table 9. Percentage of Available Mealybug Eggs Eaten by 



Cryptolaemus Larvae at Constant Temperatures. 



Waltham, Mass., 1935. 



PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF CRYPTOLAEMUS 

 IN GREENHOUSES 



Source and Supply of the Beetles 



Tlie successful control of mealybugs in the citrus orchards of California 

 led to the establishment of several insectaries for the artificial rearing of 

 Cryptolaemus (16). Some of these insectaries were supported by public 

 funds, usually under the direction of the County government; some were 

 supervised by the County and financed by pro-rata charges to the orchard- 

 ists; and others were entirely maintained by cooperative growers' asso- 

 ciations or large private ranches. Later, a few private insectaries operating 

 on a strictly commercial basis were established (17). The beetles used 

 in the experiments herein reported were secured from the Davis-Glendale 

 Company, Glendale, California, a private commercial insectary. 



Method of Shipment. Beetles were shipped from California to Massachu- 

 setts by air mail, being less than 48 hours en route. In the winter of 

 1932, several air mail shipments in open airplanes were unsuccessful be- 

 cause the beetles froze, but since then the winter shipments have been 

 made in heated cabin planes with very satisfactory results. With most 

 shipments, a small number of beetles in excess of the order has been 

 included, and in nearly every shipment observed the number of beetles 

 which died en route was less than the surplus. 



Only newly emerged beetles are packed for shipment, and these are 

 placed in gelatin capsules about 1^ inches long and Y^ inch wide with a 

 small hole in each end for ventilation. Usually, 10 to 20 beetles are con- 

 hned in each capsule together with a small piece of paper on which they 

 can cling. No food or water is given them in the capsules, and they will 

 live four or five days in this condition unless frozen or overheated. The 

 capsules are then packed in a ventilated cardboard box or mailing tube 

 for shipment. In large orders, about 25 capsules or 500 beetles are packed 

 in one container. (See Figure 1 E.) 



Method of Handling for Greenhouse Liberation 



When a shipment of beetles is due to arrive, the consignee should ar- 

 range to obtain the package as soon as possible after arrival at a con- 

 venient point, such as the airport, or by special messenger from the local 



