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CITHOPHILUS MEALYBUG ( Pseudococcus gahani Green) 
California Monthly Mews Letter, Los Angeles County Horticultural Commission, 
Volume 11, No, 3, March 15: At the present Writing, the mealy- 
bug is completing the spring generation. Adult mealybugs and egg 
masees are found in the fruit clusters with very few migrating 
to the trap-"b&wJ& on the trunks of the trees. It is the progeny 
of this generation which make up the peak spring infestation 
X7hich would normally occur during late April, May, or June. 
The Los Angeles County insectary has made preparation to have 
available during that period, starting April 1, a sufficient 
number of Cryptolaemus to establish in all infestations of apy 
consequence. 
As far as seasonal conditions are concerned there is no evidence 
that infestations will be particularly severe this year. However, 
there is sufficient mealybug present in the infested areas to 
permit, under particularly favorable conditions, an increase to 
a serious degree of infestation if not carefully watched. 
One of the more- important of the new. Citrophilus mealybug para- 
sites introduced into this country by Prof. Harry S. Smith 
has evidenced the ability to work under our winter temperatures. 
Mealybugs infesting trees on whiqh this particular parasite, 
Coccophagus sp,, ba»: been liberated, have recently been collected 
from several localities and forwarded to Frof. Smith for dissec- 
tion to determine the percentage of parasitism. Mealybugs 
from North '.Vhittier Heights sho-ed on examination 15 per cent 
parasitism, from Bast Whittier 41- per cent and from Santa Monica 
50 per cent. These percentages are particularly interesting 
for the reason that the liberations were made in number and made 
late in the fall, proving that the parasite is capable of re- 
producing effectively during the winter months, in fact, dissec- 
tions indicated that some of the eggs had been deposited in the 
mealybugs during the recent period of below freezing temperatures. 
H» M, Armitage states the status of the parasite as a whole had 
not, however, reached a point where it is possible to draw any 
conclusions as to its effectiveness. However, it can be said 
at this time that it cannot help but be an aid to the control of 
this serious pest of citrus trees, inasmuch as we have not 
previously had any internal parasite of this species occurring 
in California. 
CITRUS 7HITEFLY ( Dialeurodes citri Ashm, ) 
Texas T, C. Barber (March 20): I saw a considerable number of 
adults of the citrus whitefly on the first shoots of orange trees 
at Brownsville, no material damage done however. These are 
the first I have observed this year. 
AVOCADO 
A TORTHICID MOTH (Amorbia sp. ) 
California Monthly News Letter, Los Angeles County Horticultural Commission, 
