100 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



are specially characterized by a large amount of white waxy secretion 

 coverinti" the bodies. There are no perceptible wax tails or appendages. 

 Life History. — The eggs are deposited in loose cottony masses by 

 the females upon the food plants, mostly during the late fall and winter 

 months, though some may be laid in summer. The young upon hatch- 

 ing move about very freely seeking suitable feeding places upon the 

 tender foliage or young fruit. The females continue to move at will 

 throughout their existence, but the young males soon spin a small 

 white cocoon (Fig. 81) in which to pupate. Transformation requires 

 but a short time, the two-winged males (Fig. 79) emerging when the 



Fig. 80. — Drawings showing development of tlie female citrus mealy laig. A, 

 egg ; B, young before first moult ; C, adult witli cottony covering removed to sliow 

 body. (Essig, P. C. Jr. Ent.) 



females are about half grown. After copulation the males die and 

 the females continue to develop for some weeks or months before egg- 

 laying begins. 



During the spring months the young are to be found in great num- 

 bers, but by summer they have so hidden themselves as to give the 

 general impression that the pest leaves the trees during that period. 

 In the fall the adults begin to deposit the large masses of eggs which 

 make them more conspicuous. The entire strength of the female is 



