;:; 



15 



the knowledge necessary for the control of the insect is obtained 

 As a preliminary step in attempting to find measures of 

 relief from the damage caused by these insects, the Commission 

 <!uring tin 1 year co-operated with the Gulf Biologic Station in 

 ;i preliminary investigation of the horseflies and deerflies, secur- 

 ing, during the months of June and July, the services of Prof. 

 .las. S. Iline. a well-known authority upon this group of insects. 

 The work done by Mr. Iline has given us numerous interesting 

 jtnd valuable facts, many of which are given in his report (Cir- 

 ular No. 6 of the Commission). Although several seasons of 

 installing study will have to be given these flies before satis- 

 factory means of control will be possible, nevertheless, Mr. Hine's 

 investigation has brought to light the possibility of utilizing 

 some of the natural enemies of this group of insects and the 

 prospects for successfully introducing these natural enemies into 

 sections of the State where they do not now occur, appears 

 very good. 



ORANGE INSECTS. 



The orange growers of Louisiana have annually lost a con- 

 siderable pei- cent of the orange crop through the attacks of or- 

 ange-infesting insects, of which there are many species, princi- 

 pal among them being the white fly and the purple scale. 



In co-operation with the Florida Experiment Station, the 

 Commission is undertaking the introduction into Louisiana or- 

 nnge groves of two fungous diseases which are quite effective in 

 controlling the white fly in the Manatee section of Florida, and 

 v hieh, it is thought, will be particularly effective in the moist 

 atmosphere of our coast sections. While considerable labor and 

 o pense is involved in this introduction, it is felt that the 

 chances for the experiment proving successful are amply suffi- 

 c'.ent to justify making the attempt. 



The requests for information regarding methods of con- 

 trolling orange insects have exceeded, proportionately, the re- 

 quests for information regarding the insects of any other crop 

 grown in the State, cotton not excepted. 



Investigations of the more important orange insects are at 

 present being undertaken by Mr. E. C. Cotton. Assistant Ento- 



