HYPOCRELLA AND ASCHERSONIA. 189 



been propounded on several occasions, that these fungi are 

 not parasitic on the living insect, but merely develop as 

 saprophytes on their remains after deatli. On this point, 

 Webber's observations appear to be conclusive : " Apparently 

 mealy wing Achersonia {A. Aleyrodis) attacks the mealy wing 

 only in the larval and pupal stages. The infection probably 

 takes place most abundantly while the larvae are young. The 

 mature larvae and pupae are, however, frequently attacked. 

 At Myers, Fla., June 6, 1895, the writer found Aschersonia 

 very abundant in the early stages of development. Most of 

 the larvae were just approaching maturity. It was at that 

 time almost impossible to find good mature specimens of the 

 Aschersonia, pustules which developed on the preceding brood 

 of larvae, which matured in March, having become old and 

 weather-worn. The first indication of the effect of the fungus 

 on the larvae of the mealy wing, as observed by the writer, 

 is the appearance of slightly opaque yellowish spots usually 

 near the edge of the larva. In the early stages of infection 

 the larva becomes noticeably swollen, and appears to secrete 

 a greater abundance of honeydew than normally. It is 

 probable, however, that owing to the weakened condition of 

 the larva the honeydew is not expelled with sufficient force, 

 so that as it is slowly discharged it collects about the insect, 

 and this would make it appear that there is an excessive 

 amount .... 



" As the Aschersonia develops, the interior organs of the 

 larva appear to contract away from the margin, leaving a 

 narrow circle, which becomes filled with hyphae. This circle 

 becomes opaque and whitish, presenting a very characteristic 

 appearance. Shortly after this the hyphae burst out around 

 the edge of the larva forming a dense marginal fringe. This 

 may form all around the larva at about the same time, or 

 develop at one portion of the margin sooner than at the 

 others. The body of the larva at this time is plainly visible, 

 but it is opaque and yellowish throughout. Death usually 

 ensues, the wi'iter believes, before the hyphae burst out." 



According to Fawcett, the two methods advised by Webber 

 for introducing Aschersonia Aleyrodis into orange groves 

 infested with Aleyrodes citri met with fair success. These 



