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EALYBTJG ( Pseudococcus sp. ) 
Mississippi K. L. Cockerham (August 16): This insect is very abundant at this 
season of the year on figs. " T e have had quite rainy weather this 
summer which has no doubt been responsible for the great number of 
these insects. There is rarely a summer passes that ^e do not 
have some of them. 
A DARKLING BEETLE Qietoponium abnorme Lee.) 
California T. D. Urbahns (July 21): E. P. Roullard reported darkling beetles 
^etoponium abnorme) attacking figs on the drying trays in Presno 
County. Damage was reported as quite severe. Cn July 14, dark- 
ling "beetles were very abundant in the apricot drying yards in 
the vicinity of Marced and feeding on the fruit. 
CITRUS 
CITRUS THRIPS ( Suthrips citri Moulton) 
California P. A. McGregor (August 7): ffihe citrus thrips is unusually severe 
this year. Many unsprayed groves are showing thrips scarring to 
the extent of 60 to 80 per cent of the crop. The resulting low- 
ering of the grade will mean a very material loss to growers who 
failed to follow proper control practice. Even groves the spray- 
ing of which was ill-timed are going to pay the penalty this year. 
AN ANT ( Solenopsis sp. ) 
California Monthly News Letter of the Los Angeles Hortic. Comm. (August 15): 
A medium sized oi-color ant, Solenopsis sp. , commonly known as the 
fire ant on account of the burning sensation resulting from its 
bite, has, according to H. M, Armitage, Deputy Horticultural Com- 
missioner, Los Angeles County, recently been observed as causing 
serious injury to tree citrons in the La Habra Heights section 
east of T Pnittier. Approximately six acres of five-year old trees 
were found to be infested, the ants feeding on the blossoms and 
stems of newly setting fruit as well as on the hark of some of 
the smaller and more tender branches. The manager for the prop- 
erty stated that practically the entire first crop of fruit for 
this season had already been destroyed. Thile this ant is of more 
or less general distribution throughout southern California, and 
is rather omnivorous in its feeding habits, this is the first rec- 
ord of its being injurious to an economic host in this country. 
Control measures are being worked out by the County Horticultural 
Commissioner's Office in cooperation with the owner's arents. 
