THE NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE CITRUS 

 MEALY BUG III 



BY E. O. ESSIG 



Cryptogomus orbiculus 



This is the latest imported enemy of the citrus mealy bug {Pscudococcus 

 citri Risso) which was secured by the Cahfornia State Horticultural Com- 

 mission through Mr. Geo. Compere from the Philippine Islands. To date, 

 colonies of this insect have been sent to many localities in this state where the 

 mealy bugs, including both the citrus mealy bug and the long-tailed mealy 

 bug (Pseudococciis adonidum Linn) exist. From articles to be included in the 

 end of this work, it will be seen that great hopes are being placed upon 

 this insect as a means of exterminating the mealy bugs, which are threatening 

 our citrus groves and even the vineyards in Fresno County. 



Accordingly, with the rest, I received some of the first colonies to be 

 sent out from the State Insectary. Mr. Geo. Compere lirought the adults, 

 pupae and larvre, himself into this county and saw them given a proper start 

 in breeding cages equipped for this special work. For six months now I have 

 given this insect my very best attention and believing that others were also 

 interested in it, I am taking this first opportunity to publish the following 

 description, partial life-history, and field notes, together with photographs 

 and drawings which may aid in the identification and recognition of this 

 ladybird beetle and all of its forms, wherever found. 



Eggs. The eggs are lemon yellow in color, oblong in shape and are ap- 

 proximately 0.33 mm. in length and 0.11 mm. in width. They are laid singly 

 among the egg-masses of the mealy bugs, in the case of the citrus mealy bug, 

 and among the young in the case of the viviparous form (the long-tailed 

 species). The eggs may then be found upon the leaves, fruit, stems, or even 

 tile larger limbs and the trunks of the trees. The individuals I found were 

 just being deposited upon a leaf by a female. Because of their minuteness, 

 it would be difficult to find them except by watching the female as stated. From 

 inside observations it takes these eggs about three weeks or a month to 

 hatch. In the field it would take as long or perhaps longer. It must be 

 remembered, however, that these observations have been made during the 

 winter months, and that during the warm summer weather the eggs would 

 hatch much quicker — between 2 and 3 weeks at the most. 



Larvae (Fig. 134 A). The photograph shows the larva, full grown, with 

 its white cottony protective coating, while the drawing shows the larval body 

 with this coat removed. When first born the young larvje are yellow and have 

 very little of the cottony covering. As they grow the covering is secreted very 

 rapidly until the entire Ijody is hidden under a snow-white mass of long 

 filaments, which extend from the body in all directions. When disturbed these 

 filaments are thrown in an upright position, but they usually remain spread 



