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lN.JFRIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



THE WHITE SAGE MEALY BUG 



Pseudococciis crawU (Coquillett) 



(Dactylopius crawii Coquillett) 



( Fig. 109) 



Description. — The bodies of the females are light yellow and covered 

 with thick plates of white cottony material which entirely hides the 

 color. The lateral filaments 

 are very distinct, being about 

 one fourth as long as the 

 width of the body. The anal 

 filaments vary from one third 

 to one half the length of the 

 body. They visually form a 

 sharp angle at the posterior 

 end. and in some cases the 

 tips are curved inwardly. 



Life History. — The young 

 are brought forth alive in 

 great numbers. The females 

 usually settle on the leaves. 

 which are slightly curled to 

 afford p r o t e c t i o n. This 

 species is most abundant dur- 

 ing the months of May, June 

 and July and is rarely found 

 at other times. 



Nature of Work. This 

 mealy bug works upon the 

 larger stems near the surface 

 or under the ground and upon 

 the leaves, which are often 

 entirely covered with them. 

 The latter are also curled by 

 the attacks. 



Distribution. — It occurs 

 throughout the white sage 

 belt of southern California. 



Food Plant. — The California sage and white sage are th 

 recorded hosts. 



Natural Enemy. —The mourning Hyperaspis (Hyperaspis moerens 

 Lee.) preys extensively upon this mealy bug. 



THE LONG-TAILED MEALY BUG 



Psevdococctis longispinus (Tavg.) 



(Pscudococcus adonidum Westwood) 



( Fig. 110) 



Description.— The bodies of the mature females vary from light 

 yellow to gray and are entirely covered with fine, white, powdery wax. 

 The lateral filaments are slender and from one fourth to one half the 



width of the body; the anal filaments are very conspicuous and are 



Fig. 109. — The white sage mealy bug, Pscudo- 

 coccus crawii (Coq. ), on leaf of white sage. 

 Enlarged three times. (Author's illustration, 

 Mo. Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



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