FOOD PLANTS OF CITRUS WHITE FLY. 43 
of the white-fly situation in the Gulf States agree that the China 
and umbrella trees (Melia sp. and var.) are the greatest breeders of 
the white fly of all known food plants including the citrus. In 
speaking of the umbrella China tree Morrill and Back state: 
First this insect shows in one respect a greater degree of adaptation to this food 
plant than to citrus plants, as shown by the very low rate of mortality in immature 
stages. The second important point is that adult citrus white flies are so strongly 
attracted by growing leaves of umbrella trees that under certain conditions with 
umbrella and citrus trees growing side by side more adults collect on three or four 
umbrella leaves than are present on entire citrus trees of medium size. 
From the preference shown in the white-fly region of this country 
for the different China trees some entomologists have even ventured 
to state that they believed these trees to be the original host plants. 
It is known that China trees are native to Asia, and that certain 
species occur wild in India. The writer found these trees common 
in northern India, and many were examined. In no instance, how- 
ever, was the white fly found on China trees in that country, although 
in some cases the foliage of these trees came in contact with aleyrodid- 
infested orange plants.. 
Jasminum sambac. 
• Some of the most common bushes throughout India belong to the 
genus Jasminum, and of these probably Jasminum sambac is the 
most common species. This plant is used for ornamental purposes 
in yards and gardens, but is of especial importance through culti- 
vation for its very fragrant flowers, which are used in making scented 
oil as well as in connection with various religious performances of 
certain native sects. Patches of one-fourth, one-half, or even an 
acre in size are common throughout northern India, and the writer 
has seen the plant hi every other part of this country in which he 
has traveled. The special point of interest is that these bushes are 
invariably infested with the white fly, and usually more or less 
severely. The writer has seen patches of this plant in which almost 
every leaf of each plant contained some living white flies. Bushes 
were sometimes found to be very black with sooty mold, a condition 
never seen in citrus trees. Not infrequently has the writer exam- 
ined as many as a score of orange trees with the result of finding 
living material on only one or two, whereas every Jasminum bush 
in the immediate vicinity would contain much living material. In 
the Central Provinces no white flies were seen on citrus trees, yet 
in numerous instances Jasminum bushes planted between the trees, 
in some cases even touching their trunks, contained many active 
insects. 
In conclusion, it might be stated that in all localities in which 
Jasminum bushes were examined, which included northern and 
central India, these were found infested with Aleyrodes citri, and 
