THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



271 



olece). It does very effective work on this pest in certain sections, but 

 its woik is so uncertain and sporadic as to make it extremely unreliable. 



Fig. 268. — Scutellista cyanea Motsch. 

 Howard. ) 



(After 



However, if judicially distributed, it is a great help in checking this 

 pest. It also works on the hemispherical scale {Saissetia hemisphcerica) . 



THE CITRUS MEALY BUG PARASITE. 



Chrysoplatycerus splendens Howard (Family Encyrtidse). 



(Fig. 269.) 



General Appearance. — This very small internal parasite is but 2 

 mm. long. It is easily distinguished by its iridescent black color, shiny 

 scutellum and large and geniculate antennae. The scutellum has a very 

 noticeable tuft of bristles at the apex. The pointed abdomen also has 

 a tuft of bristles upon each side. The apical two thirds of the fore 

 wings are very black while the basal third and the hind wings are 

 lighter. 



Life History. — The female is rather deliberate in her actions and 

 may remain in a very small area for an hour or so, all the time busy 

 examining the host. In doing this she holds her antennae as is shown 

 in the lateral view in Fig. 269, and does all of the feeling with the tips. 

 These she moves very rapidly and when a suitable host has been found 

 she turns around and punctures it with the ovipositor and deposits the 

 egg. From observations it is very probable that she deposits but one 



