Abstract
Most attempts at biological control of insect pests have consisted in the simple introduction and establishment of entomophagous insects, rather than in the continous laboratory propagation and distribution of these insects in order to force them to a condition of permanent dominance. This latter type of work has been developed in a large commercial way against the mealybugs attacking citrus in California and has proved very sucessful as well as economical. There arc now ten local insectaries engaged in this work in California in addition to several private ones. $33,800.00 is invested in equipment for this work. Operating expenses for the past season were $48,750.00, and over four million Cryptolaemus montrouzieri were propagated in the insectaries and distributed in the infested groves.
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