Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-06-08
THE AUSTRALIAN BEETLE.
Actson Taken by she Supervisors
RAPPORT Them.

THE AUSTRALIAN BEETLE.
Arsaon Taken by she Supervisors TO
rapport Them.
The attention of the Supervisors yes
terday morning was entirely taken up
with the consideration of petition from
Messrs. g. j. Griffith, E. H. Dalton, j.
w. Wolfskill, VIM. Moore, ]. G. Nc
Donald, G. J. Dalon, s. McKinlay, D.
McKinlay, n. A. Unruh and w. 81.
Workman in relation to the procuring Of
the Australian beetle for killing the scale
bug, inspead of appointing inspectors.
The communication referred to was pub
lished some time since, and stated that
it was the opinion of the signers that the
money of the county could be expended
to betterl advantage in the manner sug-
gested than in the employment OF inspec'
tors.
In addition to the above communities
ton the following was also read:
We, the undersigned, orange-growers
Of Alhambra, respectfully represent that
it has been clearly demonstrated in this
vicinity that the Australian beetle, re-
Gently imported, is the only sure de-
stroyer Of the white scale insect, and we
earnestly petition that any money. pro-
posed to be expended in maintaining
Horticultural Inspectors be devoted
towards the further importation OF the
Australian beetle: S. B. Kingsley, J. r.
Halsted, DR.. 3: Werneege, Or: l.. u.
Kellogg, A. G. Weeks, Mrs. G. s. Keys,
Marsh, s. L. Page, G. w. Lehman, W.
Z. Phillips, J. 6. Ogilvie, T. j. Stuart,
=. I. Mayberry, N. W. Thompson, G.
r. Adams, II. W. Stanton, W. H.
Whittemore, r. F. Bishop, J. De Barth
Shorb, F. Edward Gray and B. @. Latin.
The following petition was also read:
We would respectfully call to your atten.
ton the following facts: That the scale
bug, known as the San joe scale, has
been known to infest trees in Los Angeles
city, to kill same and render entirely un-
productive others, and that the same
scale has been known to have bsen en-
tirely killed off by an internal parasite
in this city; that thirty years ago the or
ange trees were at deaths door by reason
of the soft scale; now this scale is seldom
met with, being kept in subsection by
its parasite that very few years ago
the black scale was many times more
dreaded than now-once O serious pest
IL now being rapidly subjugated
by its parasite; that there has
appeared in our midst an enemy more
dreaded than any of its predecessors, by
reason of its attacking 80 many kinds OF
weeds, shrubs and trees, useful and orna-
mental, and that no parasite or preda-
cious insect enemy has been able to over
come it, or hold it in subjugation, nor
has any wash pro ven effectual to perma-
nence, 30 the white futed scale has
spread curse UPON the land. There was
sgitated movement which had for its
object, to send an expert abroad to try
and discover the original home OF this
white scale, and then bring its native
enemy here. This move illuminated
in Prof. G. v. Riley sending MIR. Koebele
to Australia for this unknown enemy and
the venture, In our estimation, has
proven wonderfully successfully, the
Vadolia CardiDaliss, q small ladybug, be-
tr0duced, which preys upon the white
scale to the latter's obstruction. There
was also found other natural enemies to
the white scale of which as yet we know
little.
There has also been introduced to this
State from Florida the twice stabbed
ladybird, chilocorus, which has proven Of
inestimable value to the whole State on
account of it's scale.eating proclivities.
And We further beg to call to your atten.
ton the fact that there exists in our midst
= powerful enemy to the orange tree,
many trees being killed by it, and all are
in jeopardy. We refer to the red scale
of the Santa Ana valley, not that itexists
there only, but to distinguish it from the
San Gabriel scale, which it very much
resembles.
Now, in view of the above fact, we
believe the appointment of Horticultural
INSPECTORS to be both useless and expen.
Biye, and that the interests of the com.
munity would be better served by meeting
our insect enemies with their parasites
and toward that end would recommend
that you procure for US the natural
enemy of this red scale. We understand
that the red scale is found native in some
of the Pacific islands. We therefore beg
of you to appoint some competent person
IAN entomologist), and let it be his con
slant duty to seek our insect friends, tc
watch those already here, and
provide against their extirpation
30 great has been the demand
for the Australian beetle that the pres
emit supply is inadequate. We further
invite your honorable Board to visit Mr.,
J. w. Wolfekill's place, of this city, and
there make yourselves familiar with the
wonderful work of this beetle. We
further ask you to give this petition
more than passing notice, and to con-
slider the great benefits that these para.
sites have done and are now doing to
this county and State. Respectfully
submitted-A. B. Chapman, George III.
Smith, j. A. Grains, Andrew Glassell, j.
r. Dobbins, w. P. Gardiner, A. L. Bur-
bank, E. X. Alexander, Gervaise Pur.
cell, Isaac A. Cooper, E. F. Spence.
After the petition had been read dis
cussion followed, and the following reso.
ufions were adopted by the Supervisors
Resolved, That as representatives oil
Los Angeles county, we desire to extend
our thanks to Mr.. Wolfskill for his good
work in introducing and generously dis
fributing the Australian ladybug among
fruit-growers, believing he has rendered
the county an incalculable benefit.
Resolved, That it is the wish of this
Board that the Insect Commissioners
take active steps to introduce from
Australia, the Australian ladybug, and
that the expense Of the same be met by
the county.
A LIVELY DOG.