INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



125 



THE GOLDEN MEALY BUG 73 



Pseud ococcns aurilanatus (Maskell) 

 (Dactylopius aurilanatus Maskell) 



(Fig. 106) 



Description. — The body is deep red and covered with bright yellow 

 or golden fiocculent, waxy secretion. This species has no prominent 

 anal appendages. The males are very minute and dark purple in 

 color. The dark-red or wine-colored eggs are deposited in loose 

 masses of yellowish cottony wax. The young and adults move slowly 

 and feed on the branches, crowding down among the needles or leaf- 

 lets, often in great numbers. 



Fig. 106. — The golden mealy bug, Pseudococcus aurilanatus (Mask.), 

 on the small twigs of the Norfolk Island pine. Enlarged twice. (Au- 

 thor's illustration, P. C. Jr. Ent. ) 



Nature of Work.— The young and adults feed upon the younger 

 twigs near the tips of the branches and secrete a large amount of 

 honey-dew, which affords growth for the black smut fungus. 



Distribution.— The golden mealy bug is distributed throughout the 

 State in greenhouses and in the open in the southern part. 



Food Plants.— The Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria excelsa), Bid- 

 Mill's araucaria (Araucaria bidivillii), Agathis ovata and A. vitiensis 

 are attacked. 



Control. — Control measures are the same as for the citrus mealy bug. 



7s The diplacus Ceroputo, Ceroputo yuccw (Coq.), greatly resembles the mealy bugs, 

 but is separated by a small tooth on the inside of the claw at the extremity of the 

 legs. The white wax is arranged in thick plates. It attacks banana, black sage, 

 Ceunothus sp. Lantana, lemon, lime, Mesembryanthemum sp., bush monkey flower, 

 California sage and yucca. 



