lo Nov.. iyii-J .1 Scale Insect Destructive to Citrus Trees. 



747 



caterpillar state, the Scale-Eating Moth {Thalpocharis coccophaga), is 

 carnivorous, and de.stroy.s vast numbers of the scales. I have not seen 

 the eggs of this useful moth. Init Mr. Froggatt says — " They are laid 

 among the foliage and branchlets of the infested tree, from which the 

 tiny caterpillars emerge.'' 



When fully grown and about to pui)ate, the raler|)illars form a covering 

 over themselves, consisting of pieces of the partly dtstroyed scale.^. They 

 remain in the pupal state for seme weeks, then emerge, and commence their 



ORANGK l',k.\N( II. SHOWING .SCAI KS l.N IIIK VOLNG .WD ADULT STAGLS. 



useful work. 'I'his nintli attacks nianv oihcr kind of scales, and is par- 

 ticul.irlv aljunilant on the dcstructi\e iuicaiyptus scale Enoccocus 

 cmiacetis. which is ab.wolutcly the worst .scale infesting our timber trees, 

 especially the Sugar dunis {Eucalyptus corynocal \x). 



A small mite is often found in hundred.s amongst partly (lestroyed eggs 

 of this .scale, but whether it is .1 parasite on the scale is not (h finitely 

 settled. 



The Frontal Shrike Tit {EalciiHcnliis froiitaitm) is a great destrover 

 of this scale. T have often watch<-d this fine bird busilv engaged kni -k- 

 ing off the coverings of the scales and devouring the young insects. 



