INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE ORANGE. 



401 



FIG. 411. 



No. 256. The Chaff Scale. 

 Parlatoria Pergandii Comstock. 



In this species the scale of the female varies in form, 

 being sometimes nearly circular, but more usually somewhat 

 elongated, of a dull-gray color, and thin in its structure. It 

 resembles the bark so closely in tint that it often escapes 

 detection. In length it is about one-sixteenth of an inch ; 

 the enclosed insect is nearly as broad 

 as long. These insects vary greatly in 

 color, some being almost white, with 

 the extremity of the body slightly yel- 

 low ; others are entirely yellow, while 

 some are purplish, with the end of the 

 body yellow. The eyes are black. 

 Scales of both sexes are shown, magnified, in Fig. 411, a, b. 

 The eggs and young larvae are purplish. The scale of the 

 male (6) is about one twenty-fifth of an inch long, and nai- 

 row ; its color is gray, darker and greenish about the middle. 



The mature winged in- 

 sect is shown in Fig. 412, FlG - 412 - 

 much magnified; it is pur- 

 plish in color, with the disk 

 of the thorax pale and 

 irregularly marked with 

 purplish spots. The eyes 

 are large and very dark. 

 There are several broods 

 of these insects during a 

 season, and the scales may 



be found at any time on the bark of the trunk and branches 

 of the orange-trees, and to a less extent on the leaves and 

 fruit. They have been called chaff scales, from their resem- 

 blance to fine chaff or bran. 



