646 Agricultural Journal of Victoria. 



TWO NEW FUNGI PARASITIC ON SCALE INSECTS. 



By D. McAlpine. 

 Insect-destroying Fungi- 



In recent years considerable attention has been devoted to the 

 study of the f angi parasitic upon insects, and especially because of 

 the possibility that some of them may be pressed into service for 

 destroying" insects injurious to crops and trees. In the January 

 Journal some particulars were furnished of a parasite of the codlin 

 moth and now descriptions are given of two new species, belonging to 

 the genus Microcera, parasitic on scale insects. Of these two 

 species, one has been found upon a scale infesting a Eucaljptus in 

 Tasmania, and the other upon a similar parasite of the scrub box- 

 wood {Hymenatithera dentata R. Br.) Though neither of these have 

 been met with upon the scales injurious to our fruit trees, it is still 

 possible that one or the other may be induced to attack some of these. 

 We know so little about these fungi at present that until further 

 opportunities for their study are aiforded we can only point 

 to the possibility of their usefulness, and instance a closely related 

 species which has done good work in combating the San Jose scale in 

 parts of America. 



Professor P. H. Rolfs, ^ of the Florida Experiment Station, in 

 1897 tirst brought under notice this closely related species {Microcera 

 coccophilaj as a vigorous and effective ally in checking the destructive 

 San Jose scale. He was able to infect the scale with the fungus and 

 thus to spread the disease. 



Then S. A. Forbes - State Entomologist of Illinois Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, in 1898, carried out a number of inoculations 

 and was able to report as follows : — " As a result of this field-work 

 with the above-mentioned fungus disease of the San Jose scale it is 

 evident that the distribution of M. coccophila, under conditions 

 prevailing in southern Illinois this year, is likely to prove a valuable 

 adjunct to more energetic measures for the destruction of this insect. 

 Indeed, we may go so far as to say, that if the scale should finally, 

 become a permanent resident of this State, it is quite possible that this 

 and similar enemies will form a permanent check upon its multiplica- 

 tion, such as to reduce its injuries to comparative insignificance." 

 This species is not only common in Europe and America on various 

 scales, but was reported from Queensland by F. M. Bailey, Govern- 

 ment Botanist of that State, upon a scale of the lemon, and later 

 J. H. Maiden, Government Botanist of New South Wales, forwarded 

 to me numerous specimens upon the red scale of the orange 



1. Florida Experiment Station, Bull. 41 (1897). 



2. Illinois Agricultural Experiment Station, Bull. 56 (1899). 



