ESSIG. THE NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE CITRUS MEALY BUG 



145 



to find. The young larvae are always found in these egg masses, and in these 

 the pupa cases are also formed, so the whole life-cycle is practically right among 

 the eggs and bodies of the prey. 



Larva (Fig. 59) — Length, 6 to 8 mm.; width. 1 to 2 mm. The prevailing 

 color is slate gray to red at the ends of the body. 



The larva resembles slightly the larva of the Chrysopa, but might be taken 

 for a maggot because the legs are very short and the movements are slow. The 

 movements of the head, however, are very rapid, and almost continual. The 

 mouth-parts (Fig. 58, B, D) are specially fitted for sucking out the juices of 

 insects. The mandibles or jaws are deeply grooved, allowing the liquids to 

 flow down on the inside. The prey is lifted bodily from its feet by seizing it 



■ J\ 



< ' 



Figure 58. Sympherobnas angustusi A. head of adult, ventral; B, head of larva, dorsal: 

 D. head of larva, ventral; C and E, cla'ws of larva 



with the long jaws. It is held suspended in the air until the entire contents 

 have been extracted and nothing but the empty shell remains. The claws of 

 the feet (Fig. 58, C, E) are excellent for grasping the leaf or footing on which 

 the larva stands. To hold a wriggling insect almost of its own weight must 

 needs require such an adaptation. As before stated, these larv?e are found 

 always in the egg masses, and feed a great deal on the eggs, and young Mealy 

 Bugs. 



\Mien the time for transformation comes the larva spins a cocoon, which 

 resembles a miniature moth cocoon. The head is folded on the breast as 

 shown in the cuts (Fig. 59, A). The cast-ofT larva skins may be seen in the 

 empty cases. When the pupa has emerged into the adult it eats out a hole in 

 one end and makes its exit. 



