630 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 17 
!y can act as a primary parasite on Phytonomus. In the laboratory most 
of the hosts were so thoroughly stung by the female that they died before 
the parasites developed. Hosts, similar in appearance to those killed 
in this way in the laboratory, have been collected in the field. A few 
eggs and larvae have been dissected from hosts apparently in all other 
ways healthful. We have reared from a small number of Phytonomus 
pupae a black pteromalid, Catolaccus ater Ratz., which probably had 
parasitized Itoplectis maculator. 
We have taken this insect from Hyeres, Tournon, and Lons-le- 
Saunier, France, and Piedimonte d’Alife and Naples, Italy. 
Distribution of Parasites in Southern Europe 
As is well known, one larval parasite among the list given, Bathy- 
plectes curculionis (Thoms.), is well established in the weevil-infested 
territory in the United States, and parasitism by it there exceeds any of 
which we have record in the Old World. The question naturally arises 
whether or not some of the other parasites in the list which may appear 
more or less obscure in their present environment may not be able to in¬ 
crease in importance after colonization in this country. As our investi¬ 
gations have shown quite clearly, we believe, that the agricultural 
systems there prevailing have much to do with the relative scarcity of 
the weevil in Europe, we would like to know what the effect of other 
introduced weevil parasites will be if they can be colonized in Utah and 
near-by states where cultural systems have apparently failed to hold the 
weevil in check. 
Amotfg the most promising of the parasites studied in Europe are the 
egg parasites Peridesmia phytonomi, Spintherus sp., and Anaphoidea 
luna; the larval parasites Bathyplectes corvina and Tetrastichus incertus; 
and the pupal parasites Dibrachoides dynastes and Necremnus leucarthros. 
Of special significance, however, from the standpoint of their possible 
introduction into the United States is the distribution of these para¬ 
sites, for some of them have been thought to be southern insects prob¬ 
ably incapable of existing in a climate similar to that of Utah. 
It will be remembered that Peridesmia phytonomi was found, among 
other places, at Hyeres and Evires. Hyeres is the most southerly point 
in the French Riviera. Frost rarely occurs there and alfalfa grows 
practically throughout the year when sufficient moisture is available. 
Date palms, figs, and mandarins also are grown there. Evires, on the 
other hand, is a village in Higher Savoy with an altitiude of about 
2,500 feet and with short summers and long winters. It is in one of the 
