INSECTS INFESTING THE OLl VE. 149 



look further back than the fungus itself, to the insect, or what- 

 ever it may be, which has made the luxuriant growth of the 

 fungus possible." 



The smut or fungus is found on the branches, foliage and 

 fruit of orange, lemon, lime and olive trees infested by the 

 black scale. I have also seen apricots and peaches, taken 

 from trees infested by this insect, so thoroughly covered by 

 this smut that it destroyed their market value for canning 

 purposes. 



NATURAL HISTORY. 



The black scale (Fig. 122, la,) when full grown is of a dark 

 brown color, nearly hemispherical .in form, but is slightly 

 longer than broad ; length, from two to two and a half lines ; 

 width, about two thirds of the length ; height, one and one half 

 lines ; there are two ridges or bars across the body, apparently 

 dividing it into three parts, the middle being the largest ; a 

 short ridge along the back joins the two cross ridges, forming 

 lines resembling the letter H ; the edge of the covering of the 

 insect resting on the wood, foliage, etc., is margined, and has 

 a grooved or fluted appearance nearly one half the height of 

 the insect. 



The eggs are oval in form ; when first laid, whitish ; before 

 hatching, a reddish-yellow. From seventy-five to one hundred 

 and seventy-five are deposited by each female of this species. 

 Fig. 123. — Larva of Black Scale, en- 

 Fig. 123. larged, back view — color, reddish-yellow. 

 The larva (Fig. 123) is one seventy- 

 fifth of an inch long ; width, five eighths 

 of length ; form, oval ; antennae, six or 

 seven jointed. From the time the secre- 

 tion begins to form until the insect has 

 reached maturity, it assumes different 

 shades of color — first, greenish-brown; 

 half grown, reddish-brown, and at ma- 

 turity, dark brown. 

 It is doubtful if there are more than one brood in each 

 year ; the first brood are hatched, in this locality (Sacramento), 

 about the first of May, but do not attempt to leave from under 



