aiSTom . 



11 



ized. A small field best proved that the mites increased and spread 

 ( Rangel, L901c). 



In L902 Dr. Wm. II. Ashmead described Bruchophagus herrerX) 

 from Coahuilaj Mexico, as a primary parasite of the boll weevil (Ash- 

 mead, 1902). In the same year Prof. V. \V. Mally recorded the 

 fact that Bracon meUitor Say and Cerarribycobius (Eupelmus) cyani- 

 c( ps Ashm. had. since L899, been bred by him in considerable [lum- 

 bers from the weevil. He also recorded a species of Eurytoma 

 (Mally. L902). In 1904 Hunter and Hinds recorded additional pri- 

 mary parasites as follows \ Sigalphus curculionis Fitch (fig.3), Catolaccus 

 ma Hus Ashm., Urosigalphus (robustus Ashm.) , Bracon (dorsafror Say) , 

 and Eurytoma tylodermatis 

 Ashm.. as well as an ento- 

 tnogenous fungus. AspergU- 

 lussp. (Hunter and Hinds, 

 1904, p]). 104-110). The 

 determination of this Uro- 

 sigalphus has been found 

 incorrect. It has just been 

 described as Urosigalphus 

 arUhonomi Cwfd. (Crawford, 

 1 907a) . The form known 

 under the name of Bracon 

 dorsator is merely a small, 

 melanistic, fall form of Bracon meUitor Say. Finally, Banks has 

 described a mite, Tyrogly plius breviceps, collected at Victoria, Tex., 

 from boll weevil larva? (Banks, 1906, p. 17). 



THE WORK ON PARASITES IN 1906. 



As the work of the year naturally divided itself into distinct sec- 

 tions, it may be thus divided for treatment in this report: 



I. Examination work — ascertaining the general status of boll weevil parasitism. 

 II. Propagation work — attempting to increase the percentage of parasitism by 

 release of parasites. 



III. Breeding work — study of the biology of the parasites. 



IV. Source work — study of the surrounding field conditions in order to ascertain 



the hosts which have contributed the parasites, and to learn the biology of 

 each of these hosts. 

 V. Conclusions — a review of the situation as a whole. 



Fig. 3.— Sigalphus curculionis: a, male; b, female; c, 

 antenna. All enlarged (after Riley). 



I. Examination Work. 



In order to arrive at a proper knowledge of the status of boll 

 weevil parasitism large collections of infested squares and bolls 

 under various plant and field conditions were made in many parts 

 of the weevil territory. This material was immediately shipped to 

 the laboratory and examined by the various members of the labora- 



