INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



127 



to | inch long. The lateral filaments are short but distinct and the 

 anal filaments are only slightly longer, being less than ^ the length of 

 the body. The eggs are oval, light yellow and laid in large, loose, 

 white, cottony masses. The males are pale, delicate two-winged 

 insects with two long, white anal filaments. Their cocoons are elon- 

 gate, constructed of thin white cottony material and about ^ inch 

 long. They are located among the egg-masses and young on the 

 leaves, fruit and bark. 



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Fig. 108. — The citrus mealy bug, Pseudococcus citri 

 (Risso). Mature females and egg masses on lemon. En- 

 larged three times. (Author's illustration, Mo. Bui. Cal. 

 Hort. Com. ) 



Life History. — The eggs are deposited in loose cottony masses by 

 the females upon the food plants, mostly during the late fall and winter 

 months, though some may be laid in summer. The young, upon hatch- 

 ing, move about very freely, seeking suitable feeding places, as the 

 tender foliage and young fruit. The females continue to move at 

 will throughout their existence, but the young males soon spin a small 

 white cocoon in which to pupate. Transformation requires but a short 

 time, the two-winged males emerging when the females are about one 

 third or half grown. After mating the males die and the females con- 

 tinue to develop for some weeks or months before egg-laying begins. 



