MEALY WINGS. 



241 



according- to season, and otlier conditions. When nearly I'uH yroMii tlie 

 insect rests, entering- into a condition similar to that oL' a butterfly 

 chrysalis. When this is completed, a tiny Avhite insect emerges, with 

 two pairs oi* wing's hxrge for its size, Avhich g-ive it the appearance of 

 a tiny moth. Both sexes are Aving-ed ; this and the fact that they have 

 four Avings distinguishes them from the very similar scale insects 

 [Cocclda) in which the male alone has two wings, the female none. 



Having mated, the female lays eggs and dies. 



Mealy wings are found upon a variety of plants and there are many 

 species in India. Two attack orange, one attacks sugarcane, another 

 attacks rose ; a common one in Western India attacks the mango, the leaves 

 being covered with the small black scales. Another is found on castor, and 

 many wild plants are infested. The group is not fully known yet, and, though 

 not as important as the scale insects, many species remain to be discovered. 



If the insects have not yet reached the flying stage, they may in 

 some cases be destroyed by cutting off the infested part and burning it. 

 No other treatment is possible except spraying* insecticides on to them 

 to kill them. This is cj^uite simple if the necessary appliances are avail- 

 able and is described elsewhere (Chapter VII). The insecticides best for 



Fig. 289. 

 The Clouded Mealy Wing. {^Magnified six times) 



use are kerosene emulsion or rosin wash (made on the spot) or criide oil 

 emulsion or INIcUoug'aFs Insecticide (bought ready for use). This is 

 the simplest treatment and one that should be used in all gardens or 

 orchards where fruit-trees or valuable plants are grown. 



