458 
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 
[Vol. 17 
of any one insect, one particular fungus, etc., but results from the 
combined effects of the natural enemies of the plant. In planning the 
biological control of prickly-pear in Australia we should, then, contem¬ 
plate the establishment there of as large a percentage as possible of the 
complexes as they exist in America. 
The cactus-enemy complex of Florida is quite different from that of 
Texas. In the latter region insects are more important than fungous 
diseases of cactus, while in Florida the fungi are much more numerous. 
Furthermore, there are wide variations in the cactus insects of the 
Uvalde and Brownsville regions in Texas. These three regions have 
been the principal contributors to the complex established in Australia. 
A cochineal from Arizona has also been included. 
The various complexes of the United States are necessary in order to 
provide combinations of cactus enemies for the different climatic regions 
in Australia. To superimpose upon the United States complex the 
complexes of Mexico and South America would greatly enhance the 
chances of expeditious control of prickly-pear. 
Consignments and Numbers of Insects Sent 
During the period under discussion eleven consignments, totaling 111 
cases were forwarded from the United States. Some species were not in¬ 
cluded in all consignments because they were not always ready for 
shipment when the S. S. Sonoma departed. The data pertaining to the 
various species are shown in the following table: 
Table Showing Origin, Times Sent, and Number of Individual Insects Shipped 
Melitara prodeniahs . 
Fla. 
7 
5615 
Melitara junctolineella . 
Tex. 
8 
2077 
Mimorista flavidissimalis . . .. 
Tex. 
8 
660 
Moneilema sp. 
Tex. 
6 
705 
Chelinidea vittiger subsp. aequoris.. .. 
Tex. 
8 
1897 
Chelinidea vittiger subsp. aequoris 
var. artuatra . 
Fla. 
6 
1713 
Chelinidea tabulata ... 
Tex. 
7 
1151 
Chelinidea canyona . 
Tex. 
7 
1326 
Narnia pallidicornis . 
Tex. 
5 
1302 
Asphondylia opuntiae . 
Tex. 
6 
14950 2 
Noctuelia elautalis ... 
Tex. 
4 
350 
Dactylopius tomentosus . 
Tex. 
7 
Several infested 
Dactylopius confusus . 
Fla. 
5 
joints 
U 
Dactylopius tomentosus . 
Ariz. 
3 
u 
Dactylopius tomentosus . 
Calif. 
1 
u 
Estimated on basis of 10 maggots to each infested tuna. 
