46 THE FLORIDA BUGGIST 
at times on the avocado in certain sections where it has become established. 
It attacks the foliage particularly. 
Pulvinaria pyriformis, Ckll—The Pyriform Scale. This species, where 
present, does considerable damage to the avocado. It is brownish in color, 
rounded or ovate in shape, and on maturing, when the egg sacs are pro- 
duced, a cottony material pushes out from under the edges of the scale. It 
produces an abundance of honey dew for sooty mold to develop. The scale 
is prevalent wherever the avocado is grown, especially on seedling trees 
growing in neglected yards. 
Frankliniella cephalica var. masonii, Watson.—This species of thrips 
which is light yellow in color attacks the avocado in the bloom. The writer 
has observed that the West Indian varieties growing in groves along the 
keys and on the mainland become infested with it. The thrips deposits its 
eges in the pedicel of the flower clusters. These punctures at times are very 
numerous, depending on the variety of avocado, causing the flower cluster 
to drop. The species differs from the citrus thrips in being considerably 
‘lighter in color. 
Empoasca minuenda, Ball.—The Avocado Leaf Hopper. This leaf hopper 
which is exceedingly small and yellowish in color attacks the avocado foliage 
by sucking the plant juices. It confines its attacks to the lower surface of 
the leaf and causes white spots to appear on the foliage viewed from above. 
When very numerous, this species will give an avocado tree a decidedly 
whitish appearance. It is particularly abundant on the avocado during the 
growing season. 
Gracilaria sp. near niolacella Clem.—The Avocado Leaf Roller. This 
small greyish moth is present wherever avocadoes are grown. It deposits 
its eggs on the new growth. The larvae which hatch from these eggs curl 
the foliage on which they feed. The foliage on maturing develops unevenly 
giving the tree a decidedly ragged appearance, especially is this true when 
this species is abundant. The larvae are small and yellowish in color. 
Dysdercus suturellus H. Schf.—The Cotton Stainer. This is one of the 
plant bugs and often attacks the fruit of the avocado in considerable num- 
bers. The species congregates on the fruit where it injures it by punctur- 
ing and sucking the plant juices. The punctures afford entrance places for 
plant diseases to enter and develop. It is only in certain years that this 
insect appears in the groves. 
Acysta perseae Heid.—The Avocado Tingid. This species, which feeds. 
upon the juices of the foliage of the avocado, is a small lace bug. The in- 
sect causes the leaves to appear yellowish and drop. The species is not 
widely distributed, however. 
Anomala undulata, Mels——This small beetle, or leaf chafer, visits the 
avocado groves in swarms during the blooming period in southern Florida 
during certain years. It is nocturnal in its habits, coming out from the 
soil at night and devouring the bloom wherever present. Its depredations 
last only a week or so, the adults returning to their breeding grounds. It is 
not known where they breed. This species is capable of doing considerable 
damage. 
Caulophilus latinasus.—This small brownish weevil, which resembles the 
grain and rice weevils, attacks the seed of the avocado in the orchard in 
fallen fruits and wherever seed is stored for planting purposes. The larvae 
and weevils completely tunnel the seed rendering them worthless. 
