a 
~ 
-4- 
NOTES FROM EL CENTRO [CALIFORNIA] FIELD STATION. 
















Not a trace of Hippodamia convergens has been seen in or around 
Imperial Valley since the advent of midwinter conditions, although the winter 
‘has been a very mild one thus far. Search in plant lice infested grain f: 
basal volunteer shoots of cotton, along the banks of the Alamo and New River 
and at altitudes from 1000 feet to 4000 feet in the Laguna Mountains, west ¢ 
the Valley, has failed to reveal any indications of hibernating ladybirdgal 
An inspection of grain fields in scattered parts of the Imperial Valle: 
made January 31, showed that all fields over a week old were quite generally 
infested with Aphis avenae, The average infestation, as based on counts of 
160 stools, was computed at that time to be 69,4 percent. The colonies, whic 
consisted of wingless females, their young, occasional nymphs, and rarely a 
winged migrant, appeared of rather recent establishment. Although parasites 
and syrphid larvae were seen, no Hippocamia individuals were present. F 
The cotton aphis (Aphis gossypii) is quite commonly seen on Malva 
leaves, to which related plants they have probably migrated upon the recent d 
frosting of the cotton foliage. (EH. A. McGregor.) | 
DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECT INVESTIGATIONS. 
A. L. Quaintance, Entomologist in Charge. 
M. A. Yothers, in charge of the Bureau’s laboratory at Medford, Orees 5 
where investigations are being carried out of apple insects, was’ in’ Washingte 
for a short period and has now returned to Medford, Ore., to resume his Held 
operations. ) ; 
R. J. Fiske, in charge of the Bureau’s laboratory at Roswell, N. Mex. 
after spending several weeks in Washington, has now returned to Roswell, Ne M 
to resume his field investigations. “a 
F, L. Simanton, in charge of tho Bureau’s laboratory at Benton Harbor, 
Mich., is now in Washington preparing reports and manuscripts’ on the results ¢ 
his investigations. 
Dr. Frank Thomas, a’ member of the entomological force of Dr. W. E. 
Hinds, of the Alabama Polytechnic Institutes, has been given a temporary appoi 
ment as Special Field Agent in the Bureau, and will be engaged in extension © 
work in deciduous fruit insect control in Alabama, with headquarters at Aubur: 
FEDERAL HORTICULTURAL BOARD. 
C. L. Marlatt, Chairman. 
‘ 
The pink bollworm situation is substantially as reported in the Month 11; 
Letter of January. The work of eradication is being pushed earnestly under * 
personal field direction of Doctor Hunter, i 
Supplementing the establishing of a quarantine covering the infested 
districts in Texas reported in the last letter, the establishment of cotton- ft 
free areas covering these districts was legally accomplished by the proclama. 
ticn issued by the Governor of that State under date of February 25. Within 
these areas the growing of cotton is designated a public menace and is pro- 
