Ill 



It seldom runs in a straight line, however, since in course of con- 

 struction, if an obstacle is met, the line is deviated and the scale 

 curves in one or more directions. Most often the scales occur 

 in large numbers, and then they are piled in one on top of the 

 other, sometimes three and more tiers deep, and then of course 

 the curvature of the normally linear scale is almost universal. 

 The surface of the scale is more or less marked by transverse 

 lines, somewhat shiny, and in color brown of various shades, 

 rarely purplish. The name "purple scale" comes from Florida, 

 where it seems to be more purple than here, and because of the 

 color of the male scales. 



The male scale is about half as long as, narrower and more 

 linear than that of the female. It has but one cast skin in 

 front, and is rather purplish in color. In structure it is similar 

 to that of the female scale. 



Female. — With the first molt the insect is divested of its legs 

 and antennae, leaving but a hair-like proboscis for absorbing 

 food, and the body for carrying on the life processes. Virtually 

 this body is but a sack which later in life becomes filled with eggs, 

 and these laid, the insect dies and dries up where it first settled 

 for life. This sex never develops wings. 



Shortly after the second molt the female is impregnated and 

 soon thereafter egg laying commences. The egc;s are laid be- 

 neath the scale in rows which, as they are gradually pushed back- 

 ward, lose their regularity. H. G. Hubbard, who studied orange 

 insects in Florida, tells us that one female lays on an average 

 about 45 eggs. 



Male. — After casting the first and only skin the insect passes 

 a pupa stage and then emerges as a perfect insect with two wings, 

 six legs and four eyes, two of which replace the mouth for which 

 it has no use. This stage of perfection is attained usually about 

 the time a female, born about the same time, has cast the second 

 skin. 



The number of broods produced in course of a year has not 

 been definitely ascertained in these islands, but it can be safely 

 assumed to be somewhere between three and four. It will be 

 readily observed that one pair, unhindered by natural checks, will 

 produce within one year of four broods, 594,436 individuals. 

 It is not surprising that, unassisted, trees are frequently reduced 

 to helplessness and death in course of three or four years. 



It is also evident that to start a colony a female must be trans- 

 ported during the short period of her active life, her life as a 

 larva. The male, even tho winged, is a feeble flyer, hence is 

 also largely dependent upon the transportation agencies utilized 

 by the female. This is accomplished by the larva itself in case 

 of contiguous trees. To greater distances the larvae are carried 

 either by wind, birds, or other insects. As a bird or insect rests 

 upon an infested tree while the larvae are crawling about in 



