DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. 143 



Iii the last report mention was made of the introduction from South 

 Africa of an important and desirable parasite known as Scutellista 

 cyanea, which attacks the black scale, a destructive insect in the olive 

 and orange groves of California. These specimens were secured 

 through the courtesy of Mr. C. P. Lounsbury, the entomologist of 

 Cape Colony. They were received June 8, 1900, and were at once 

 expressed to Santa Clara County, Cal., where Mr. E. M. Ehrhorn was 

 prepared to care for them. On August 16 a new generation made its 

 appearance in California, sixty days from the time of the arrival of 

 the survivors of the journey from Africa. These were reared on a 

 covered oleander plant, and were divided and placed upon several 

 other covered plants infested with the scale. They bred up to the 

 appearance of the cold weather. Before the close of the season 

 colonies were placed in several orchards infested with black scale 

 outdoors, while other colonies were retained under cover. Up to 

 February 24 nothing further was noticed in the way of living speci- 

 mens, nor was it seen during the following spring and early summer 

 months. It is a very small insect, however, and it may exist at large 

 in the olive orchards. Scale-infested branches have been collected at 

 intervals and placed in breeding jars, but nothing has been bred from 

 them. Further introductions will be made, and establishments will 

 be tried at points farther south than San Jose. 



There can be no doubt that this parasite is a very effective enemy 

 of the black scale in South Africa, and, in fact, it has been rather 

 difficult to find enough scales to propagate the parasites for shipment 

 to this country. 



Strong efforts were made during the year to import, in living con- 

 dition, European enemies of the Gipsy moth. The cessation of the 

 extermination work, which had been carried on for several years 

 against this insect by the State of Massachusetts, created, for the 

 first time, a favorable opportunity for these attempts. The Division 

 has placed itself in correspondence with several European entomolo- 

 gists, and two consignments of European predatory beetles (Calosoma 

 sycophanta and C. inquisitor) have been received through the kind- 

 ness of Dr. Paul Marchal, of Paris, and Captain Xambeu, of Pyrenees 

 Orientales ; but although the greatest care has been taken in packing, 

 not one living specimen has as yet reached Washington. The attempt 

 is being continued, and, with little doubt, some successful method of 

 introducing these beneficial species will be ascertained. This is the 

 first attempt which has been made to introduce insects of this family 

 (Carabidw) across the ocean, and on account of the fact that they 

 are great cannibals and very active insects, the introduction is espe- 

 cially difficult of accomplishment. Meantime, the Gipsy moth is 

 spreading far beyond its old boundaries in New England, having 

 reached Providence, R. I., the present year; and another important 

 insect, the brown-tailed moth, which will also be attacked by these 

 European predatory species, has become so numerous in eastern New 

 England as to attract very general attention. There is, therefore, 

 every reason for active efforts to bring about the establishment of 

 their European natural enemies. 



Bearing upon international work, although not strictly coming 

 under this head, the introduction of the South African locust fungus 

 was briefly referred to in the last report. During the winter of 1901 

 additional culture tubes of this fungus, which was stated to have 

 been so successful in destroying the South African grasshoppers or 

 locusts, were received through the kindness of Dr. Eddington, 



