Bl'G V 



by the State Board of Horticulture some years ago and is now found 

 established in many parts of the State. 



Rhizobius (toowoombse) lopantha. (Plate III, Fig. (>.) This little 

 ladybird was formerly described under the name of Scymnus margini- 

 collis, but is identical with Rhizobius lopantha. Mr. Koebele sent this 

 beetle about the same time that he introduced the Vedalia, but it was 

 found in the State previous to that. However, it has only been within 

 the past few years that its value has been observed. It breeds from 

 early spring until late in the fall. As compared with the beetles the 

 larvae are very large, they are light colored, with a lighter oblong square 

 on center of the back, and remain a long time in the larval stage, feed- 

 ing voraciously. When about to change to the chrysalis, they hide 

 away under cobwebs, dry leaves, and other debris. The beetle is 

 metallic black, with a brown thorax. They feed on Aspidiotus perni- 

 ciosus, Chrysomphalus (Aspidiotus) aurantii, Chrysomphalus (Aspidio- 

 tus) citrinus. Aspidiotus hederae (nerii), and occasionally on aphis. 

 In San Diego County it is proving effective on purple scale (Lepidosa- 

 phes beckii) . In alluding to the excellent work of this little beetle on 

 the purple scale in the above named county, Mr. Allen, of Bonita. 

 writes : 



With us the largest hatch of purple scale has usually been in May. So far this 

 year I have not seen a single instance of purple scale hatching, nor can I find any 

 live scale in an orchard adjoining us, every tree of which a year ago was literally 

 alive with them. Since last July this orchard has been to iny knowledge thoroughly 

 stocked with the Scymnus, though when they first entered it I can not say. As they 

 undoubtedly came in large numbers their work has been rapid. 



I sprayed only a small part of the ranch last summer, and there can be no question 

 but that, except for the work of this parasite, our place would be teeming with the 

 purple scale, whereas I have yet to see the first live one, and our fruit, from trees 

 that used to be infested, is now coming off the tree clean. I believe this ladybird is 

 also eating the yellow scale, because there is so much less of it on the fruit, but of 

 this I am not yet sure. 



By September the efficiency of the purple scale parasite should be thoroughly estab- 

 lished, for if any live eggs are left they must hatch before that time ; yet even now it 

 seems to me that the work of the Scymnus is second only to that of the Vcdalin, and, 

 considering the difference of the scales and the fact that the purple is so heavily 

 armored, its work seems even more remarkable. 



Seymnus vagans. This is one of the smallest of the ladybird 

 family-, but not one of the least important. It is an enemy of the red 

 spider pest which is very general all over the world, and especially 

 detrimental to almonds, prunes, and citrus trees. The long, dry seasons 

 of California are favorable to the spread of this pest, which flourishes 

 under arid conditions, and which has been especially troublesome here. 



This little ladybird was introduced from Australia by Mr. George 

 Compere for the State Board of Horticulture. It was found to be very 

 effective in checking the spread of the pest, and has been generally 

 established in California. 



