\"ol. xxix] ENTOAtOLOr.ICAL NEWS. 235 



ceptionally cold nights" ]iy interfering with the development of 

 parasites has resulted in a very serious infestation of aphids in 

 April. The citrus white fly (Dialcurodcs citri) has been checked in 

 its development but not killed "to any material degree" by cold spells 

 in Louisiana. The entomological department of the Florida Plant 

 Board is preparing for distribution cultures of the Red and Yellow 

 Asclicrsonia fungi which are specific enemies of this insect. 



Among insect enemies of special importance are noted the Sweet 

 Potato Weevil (Cyclas fonnicarius) which has been found on an ad- 

 ditional plant {Calonyotioii boiia-nox) in Florida; certain varieties 

 of the miOrning glory, especially Ipomoca pcs-caprac, are considered 

 to be the preferred host plants of this weevii and heiice may serve as 

 successful "catch crops." Heavy losses from this insect have been 

 suffered in Texas. 



The acreage in Irish potatoes in Louisiana is unusually large with 

 complaints of injury by the Colorado beetle. 



The Hessian fly began emergence in southern Illinois on April i, 

 a week earlier than in 1917. and was in flight in southeastern Missouri 

 on March 18; little damage from this insect to the winter wheat 

 crop of 1918 is expected, however. An interesting relation between 

 this fly and joint worms is brought out, but is too lengthy for in- 

 clusion here. The worst injury to wheat in Kansas has beer, caused 

 by the false wire worm, Elcodcs opaca. 



.Abundant rains in parts of Texas in the first half of April are cred- 

 ited with having killed nearly all the chinch bugs there. Outbreaks are 

 possible in southern Illinois and parts of Missouri and Kansas. 



A European corn stalk borer (Pyrausta nubilalis Hiibn.) is very 

 abundant in eastern Massachusettts, causing serious anxiety. It may 

 be made a subject of quarantine by the Federal Horticultural Board. 



A warning of probable destructive outbreaks of white grubs in many 

 sections north of a line from Philadelphia to Des Moines is sounded. 

 Heavy infestations of canker worms are noted in Mississippi, the 

 eastern part of Kansas and northeastern Ohio. 



The plum curculio is expected in large numbers in Georgia and in 

 Ohio. 



The pear thrips has been more abundant than usual in the San Fran- 

 cisco Bay region of California. 



Both the cottony cushion scale (Iccrya purcliasi) and its enemy, the 

 Vedalia lady-bird, overwintered successfully at New Orleans, the for- 

 mer only being killed when its host plant was destroyed ; "the present 

 status of Iccrya control at New Orleans looks very encouraging." In 

 Tulare County, California, spraying orchards with a proprietary com- 

 bined insecticide and fungicide containing arsenicals destroyed the 

 Vedalia, resulting in a "very striking and most interesting" outbreak 

 of the cottony cushon scale on citrus. I'cdalia is being furnished by 

 hundreds to growers in Florida by the State Plant Board. 



