4 THE MOX'niI.V RT'M.KTIX. 



Strong solutions of commercial lime-sulphur (1 to 11) ;is used for 

 Bcale insects will greatly aid in i-idding deciduous trees of the over- 

 wintering mites. 



Thorough application is essential to obtain good residts. A tine mist 

 under high pressure is especially desirable in applying the spray. 





THE SILVER MITE OF THE LEMON. 



Eriojili ti< s (th'ironis Ashm. 



{ I'In/topfKs olcironis Ashm.) 



(Fig. 6.) 



General appearance. — The adult mites are so small as to be invisible 

 except with the aid of a lens. They are light yellow in color, long and 

 jiointed anteriorly with two pairs of legs near the head. The eggs are 

 exceedingly small, circular and faintly yellow in color. The presence 



of the mite is easily told by the charac- 

 teristic silvery chafing of the skin of the 

 lemon, due to the destruction of the oil 

 cells. In Florida the oranges are also 

 chafed, causing a russeting. 



Life History. — The eggs are depos- 

 ited singly or in small clusters on the 

 leaves or fruit. They hatch in less 

 than a week in hot weather but require 

 twice as long in cold w-eather. After 

 several molts the mites liecome full 

 grown in from two to three weeks. The 

 young and adults feed ui)on the oil in 

 the succulent parts of citrus plants. 



Fig. 6.— The silver mite (BWo2j7ii/es which is ()])taiii('d l)y piercing the oil 

 ,we/i-ojHs Ashm.) ;« and?;, dorsal and f,^\\^ ^y\x\\ their bcaks. The adults are 



lateral views of adult ; c, egg. (After • i r? • t i , • i 



Hubbard.) Capable 01 ra[)id locomotion and move 



freely. They breed from spring until 

 iatc fall, giving rise to many overlapping broods a .^'ear. 



Distribution. — Though this mite was introduced into San Diego 

 County in 1889. it has spread very little, and is still confined to the ex- 

 treme southern part of the State. 



Food plants. — AVorks upon ])ark, foliage and fruits of citrus trees. 

 Tn California its attacks are usually confined to the lemon. 



Control. — Same as for the citrus red spider {Tcfrdiiijcli lis niytUus- 

 pklis). 



