coccim: and their enemies abroad. 51 
generally distributed, but is serious only by sporadic outbreaks as 
stated by Prof. Silvestri. This species is attacked by CoccinellidaB of 
the genera Chilocorus and Exochomus. Silvestri states that some 
Acari (mites) eat the eggs. 
Saissetia olese, the black scale, is another pest generally distributed 
through Spain, Italy, and Sicily, but is in such perfect control in 
these countries as to be of no special economic importance. Wherever 
it was seen the writer always found ScuteUista cyanea Motsch., the 
internal parasite, attacking it. Prof. Silvestri states that the black 
scale is attacked in Italy and Sicily by ScuteUista cyanea, CoccopJiagus 
flavoscutellum Ashm., Erastria scitula Ramb., and CoccinellidaB of the 
genera Chilocorus and Exochomus. 
Pseudococcus citri is the species of insect which is of the greatest 
interest to many citrus fruit growers in this country. The purple 
and black scales can be easily controlled by artificial means, espe- 
cially fumigation, but these methods have thus far proven unsuc- 
cessful against the citrus mealy bug. In certain parts of southern 
California Pseudococcus citri is a very serious pest. However, in 
Italy and Sicily as well as to a large extent in Spain it is in such per- 
fect control as to be of little commercial importance. Only one grove 
in Spain was seen by the writer to be at all severely infested by this 
pest, and in this many larvae and pupse of a dipterous parasite were 
observed among the masses of mealy bugs. A second species of 
parasitic insect, probably a dipteron, was observed in another part 
of that country. 
The mealy bug was seen in many groves in Sicily, but always to 
such a limited extent as to do no injury to the trees. Practically 
every mass of insects examined showed evidence of parasitism. A 
dipterous species appeared most common. Prof. Silvestri informed 
the writer that Pseudococcus citri is attacked in that country by two 
species of Chalcididse, by two to three species of Neuroptera, by a 
species of Leucopis, and by Coccinellidas of the genera Chilocorus and 
Exochomus. 
Since the citrus mealy bug is so well under control in Italy and 
Sicily as well as to a great extent in Spain, it is at once evident that 
this region should prove a fertile field for study in an endeavor to 
overcome the mealy-bug pest on citrus trees in America. That 
natural enemies take a leading part in this natural control of the 
citrus mealy bug in southern Europe must be admitted by anyone 
who has carefully examined the prevailing conditions there. The 
writer is of the opinion that a thorough investigation of the citrus 
districts of the Mediterranean by a competent entomologist, including 
extended shipments to this country of the different available natural 
enemies of such citrus pests as Pseudococcus, Saissetia, and Lepido- 
saphes, especially the former, would prove a very profitable economic 
investment for the citrus fruit growers of America. 
