334 
For  the  application  of  insecticides  in  Italy,  where  the  large 
proprietors  are  few  the  institution  of  cooperative  societies  is  to 
be  recommended  as  has  rightly  been  suggested  in  the  case  of 
Diaspis. 
Besides  it  is  necessary  that  the  entomological  laboratories  should 
have  practical,  level-headed  men  to>  whom  the  manipulation  of 
experiments  can  be  entrusted  because  it  is  impossible  for  the  en- 
tomologists themselves  to  spend  a large  «part  of  their  time  with 
duties,  which  can  be  excellently  performed  by  persons  with  an 
elementary  agricultural  education.  These  same  practicians  could 
be  sent  out  to  direct  the  application  of  insecticides  when  there 
are  special  requests  from  individuals  or  cooperation  who  have  as 
yet  not  the  proper  men. 
Organized  in  this  manner  the  artificial  fight  under  the  direction 
of  entomologists  who  know  the  biology  of  the  insect  to  be  attacked 
and  supervised  by  practical  men,  would  certainly  give  the  desired 
results. 
As  for  the  natural  fight,  finally,  it  must  be  stated  that  in  the 
United  States  it  has  already  produced  some  excellent  and  some 
partial  results;  that  in  Hawaii  it  has  been  applied  with  good  re- 
sults in  most  cases ; that  in  Australia  it  has  already  produced  bene- 
ficial effects  and  that  better  ones  are  to  be  expected  in  the  near 
future.  In  our  country  it  has  offered  very  successful  proof  in  the 
case  of  Novius  cardinalis  introduced  for  fighting  Icerya,  which 
otherwiwse  might  have  destroyed  our  citrus  industry.  At  present 
we  are  trying  the  natural  method  against  Diaspis  pentagona  and 
other  insects,  I have  imported  in  October,  1908,  the  following 
species  of  Coccinellids. 
Cryptolaemns  montrouzieri  predator  of  Dactylopius. 
Rhizobins  lophantae  predator  of  Diaspinae. 
Rhizobins  ventralis  predator  of  Leccmium. 
Chilocorus  bivulnefus  predator  of  Diaspinae. 
Hippodamiia  convergent  predator  of  Aphis  and  specially  Schi- 
zoneura. 
Coccinella  californica  predator  of  Aphis  and  specially  Schizo- 
neura. 
Coccinella  abdominalis  predator  of  Aphis  and  specially  Schizo- 
neura. 
Megilla  vittigera  predator  of  Aphis  and  specially  Aphis  bras- 
sicae  L. 
During  the  current  year  we  shall  see  the  results  of  these  trials. 
I am  convinced  that  the  natural  method  of  fight  is  the  one 
which  can  produce  surprising  results  beyond  all  expectation,  and 
that  it  constitutes  the  sole  anchor  of  salvation  when  insects  are  to 
be  fought  which  attack  verv  extensively  the  cultivation  of  a cer- 
tain plant  as  is  the  case  with  olives  in  our  country,  in  southern 
Italy,  and  in  other  parts. 
It  is  necessary  that  the  agricultural  entomologists  should  seek 
to  introduce  from  other  continents  not  only  the  parasites  of  the 
