THE NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE CITRUS 

 MEALY BUG IV 



E. O. ESSIG 

 HORTICULTURAL COMMISSIONER OF VENTURA COUNTY 



Among the less important coccinellids predaceous on tlie citrus mealy bug 

 sliould be included Rhizobius lopanthae Blaisd., Hyperaspis lateralis Mul., and 

 Scymnus sordidus Horn. Of tliese forms I have not been able to procure enough of 

 the larval stages in the orchards here to make a careful study or drawings, so am 

 simply giving a short description of the adult forms, with illustrations, so that the 

 growers may know them whenever found. It will be remembered that these lady- 

 bird beetles are more efficient feeders on insect pests, other than the mealy bug, 

 but that they do much towards lessening the numbers of the latter. 



Rhizobius lopanthae Rlaisdell 



Rlu::ul>iiis tooiroonibae Blackb. 



Scynnitis marginicullis Mann. 



The adult form of this insect (Figure 166 B) is from 1.66 mm. to 2.0 mm. in 

 length, and widtli from 1.1 mm. to 1.4 mm. Elytra uniform in coloration and 

 black throughout. Pronotum pale, with a median parabolic black spot at the base, 

 which is normal in the males throughout but much extended in the female, where 

 it involves all of the disk except the apical angles and a fine apical margin. 

 Surface polished, the pronotum evidently punctate, the punctures of the elytra 

 more or less coarse and distinct. Tlic entire surface is denselv covered with fine 



© 



Figure 166 



A, Hyperaspis lateralis; B, Rhizobius Iupanth;e; C, Scymnus surilidus. 



