INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



Ill 



ORTHEZIIN^ (Subfamily) 



The members of this subfamily are soft-bodied insects, without 

 special protection. The females are characterized by their long legs 

 and long white egg-sacs at the posterior end of the body, as shown 

 in Fig. 89. The bodies are also slightly covered with a white wax. 

 Throughout the entire life cycle the females are very active. But 

 one species, Orthezia insignis, is of economic importance in California. 



Fig. 89. — The sage Orthezia, Orthezia artemisiw 

 Ckll. Mature females with well developed egg-sacs. 

 (Author's illustration, P. C. Jr. Ent. ) 



THE GREENHOUSE ORTHEZIA 



Orthezia insignis Douglas 70 

 (Fig. 90) 



Description.— The bodies of the females are ochreous or dark green 

 with a marginal fringe of white waxy plates, which are extended pos- 

 teriorly in a large rectangular projection which serves as an egg-sac. 

 The dorsum of the bodies is bare with the exception of a median 

 waxy longitudinal ridge. The bodies with the egg-sac measure about 

 4- inch. The young females have the marginal fringe and the dorsal 

 median longitudinal ridge of white wax. but lack the iong white 

 egg-sac of the mature females. The males are exceedingly small, 

 dark green in color, with two wings and two long white posterior 

 waxy filaments. 



Life History.— There are several generations a year. The young 

 females vary from yellow to green in color, and as they grow the 

 white wax forms like a fringe around the edges as a distinct middle 

 longitudinal ridge, and the egg-sac begins to form. All stages are 

 active. 



Nature of Work.— The young and adults settle in colonies upon the 

 leaves and stems and their constant sucking of the juices causes the 



70 A much larger native species, Orthezia artemisiw Ckll., is common throughout the 

 southern part of the State on the California sage {Artemisia California). Fig. 89 

 shows this coccid very well. 



