INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



373 



from the frosted scale (Lecanium pruinosum Coq.) and a native scale 

 (Lecanium sp.) in Ventura County. The hemispherical scale is also 

 recorded as a host. 



THE KATYDID EGG PARASITE 

 Eupelmua mirabilis (Walsh) (Family EJncyrtidae) 



Description.— The adult parasites are a little more than | inch long 

 and of a metallic green color. The wings are dusky. The insect has 

 a peculiar way of elevating the abdomen over the thorax. 



Life History. — The eggs are deposited within the eggs of the katy- 

 did by the female. The entire contents of the eggs are devoured by the 

 larva?, and the transformations to adults occur within the shells, the 

 adults issuing through circular holes in the sides. (Fig. 29.) 



Distribution.— It is common throughout the entire State. 



Host. — This parasite works upon the eggs of the angular- winged 

 katydid (Microcentrum laurifolium Linn.) and Scudderia spp. 



PARASITE OF THE SOFT BROWN SCALE 



Microterys flavtis (Howard) (Family Encyrtidse) 

 (Encyrtus fiavus Howard) 



(Fig. 372) 



Description. — This is a small parasite scarcely T : (T inch long. The 

 general color of the female is ochre; compound eyes, brown; ocelli, red; 

 antennae, yellow with 

 tips black; the tips 

 of the feet, black. 

 The basal third of the 

 fore wings is clear 

 with the remainder 

 clouded with brown ; 

 the hind wings are 

 clear. The males are 

 considerably smaller 

 than the females and 

 shiny metallic-green 

 in color with legs and 

 antenna? very light ; 

 wings, clear with 

 brown veins. 



Distribution. — It 

 is quite c o m m o n 

 throughout the State, but especially abundant in the southern part. 



Hosts. — This parasite has been reared from the soft-brown scale 

 (Coccus hesperidum Linn.), which is often mtv effectually checked 

 by its attacks. 



THE BLACK SCALE PARASITE 



Dilophogaster caUfornicus (Howard) (Family Pteromalidee) 

 (Tomocera californiea Howard) 



Description.— The females are slightly more than ,',., inch long. The 

 general color is metallic bluish-black, with head, base of antennae and 



Fig. 372. — Microti ri.i.s fiavus (How.), parasite of tin 

 sou brown scale. Greatly enlarged. (Drawing by Bird- 

 nekoff, Mo. Bui. Cal. Hort. Com.) 



