152 PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-THIRD FRUIT-GROWERS , CONVENTION. 



has not been ascertained. It might have been introdnced at the same 

 time with its host on nursery stock. For a long time this insect had 

 been at work without having been noticed, but finally its good work 

 was discovered in some groves which had not been sprayed. In various 

 sections of the State to-day this species can be found reducing the scale 

 considerably. It also has been reared from the San Jose scale and 

 other species, and can be counted on as a great help to the grower. 



In this connection, I will say that very often parasites have appar- 

 ently disappeared and all hope of ever seeing them again been given 

 up. As an illustration, I might mention the little parasitic fly of the 

 cottony cushion scale, Lestophonus iceryae. This species was recorded 

 by Crawford, of Adelaide, South Australia, as one of the enemies of 

 this scale, and several endeavors were made by him to send the same 

 to us; in fact, this was the parasite which Mr. Koebele was sent after. 

 At the time of the introduction of the Vedalia we also received this fly, 

 but the wonderful work of the Vedalia so overshadowed it that it was 

 overlooked. It can be found in many place?: in southern California 

 to-day, but being of small size and its habits rather obscure, it has not 

 been noticed, but its good work is apparent. 



Another Australian ladybird which is predaceous on the cottony 

 cushion scale, and is close kin to the Vedalia, is Novius koebele. This 

 species was quite abundant at one time and seemed to attack the scale 

 on broom and laburnum better than did the Vedalia. I am sorry to 

 say that it has not been observed for several years, yet it might suddenly 

 reappear; but as the cottony cushion scale is generally found in such 

 limited numbers, the ladybird will have a hard time to multiply. 



An imported species which is the enemy of several species of mealy 

 bugs is Cryptolaemus montrouzieri. This species has been tried in 

 various sections of the State, but has not been successful everywhere. 

 In the most southern portions of the State it can be found at times in 

 numbers and has been doing good work, yet it has not been as satis- 

 factory nor has it done the work of eradication with us as it has in the 

 Hawaiian Islands on the coffee. There, it is claimed, it has practically 

 freed the coffee plantations from the mealy bug. In confinement, with 

 plenty of food, it does fairly well, and there must be some cause which 

 prevents its becoming more numerous. 



We are fortunate in receiving one of the smallest of the ladybirds, 

 Scymnus vagans, from Australia, and this species is well established 

 in the State. It is a remarkable species, feeding on the red spider 

 (Briobia pratensis) , and also on other members of this family. It loves 

 the dry, hot climate, and in this it resembles its host. 



Some three years ago search was made for the enemy of the codling 

 moth (Carpocapsa pomonella) ; the effort was successful, and we re- 

 ceived from Europe a parasite which was reported as doing effective, 



