394 LIFE STORIES OF AUSTRALIAN INSECTS. 



The species Aspidiotus perniciosus is closely allied 

 to the red orange scale; it is a serious pest in 

 orchards, appearing as tiny grey specks on the 

 hark, and at times on the fruit of peach, apricot, 

 nectarine, plum, pear, apple, and quince. 



The Indian wax scale {Ceroplastes ceriferiis) is 

 another pest, which has special favourites among 

 plants such as Pittosporum, Duranta, Bursaria, etc. 



A mealy bug resembling a scale insect is "the 

 cottony cushion scale" {Icerya purchasi). This is 

 a large scale, with white cottony secretion, with 

 radiating ribs. (Plate 50, Fig. 11.) It is a pesr. 

 on citrus trees, though it Avas originally found on 

 wattle trees. The young larva has long white 

 threads from the end of tlie body. Icerya is really 

 a mealy bug scale. 



