RUST ON THE ORANGE. 135 



finely and transversely striate, apparently consisting 

 of numerous very thin segments ; at the extrem- 

 ity is a biped appendage that evidently assists it in 

 clinging to the orange ; just above it protrude two 

 caudal filaments ; head almost hidden in thorax ; 

 four legs rather short with one claw, a long hair 

 springing from the knee." 



When the insect attacks the orange before the 

 fruit is grown it is dwarfed in size and blackened ; 

 when attacked later, the color is changed to a dark 

 bronze ; if still later, to a light bronze. The fruit 

 is not otherwise damaged by the "rust." Some 

 claim a benefit from the rust, since " rusted" fruit 

 keeps better and is shipped with less damage. 

 Such fruit is also sweeter, as the watery particles are 

 allowed to escape through the punctured skin and 

 the saccharine matter thus concentrated. As the 

 oil exudes from the punctures made by the insect 

 and spreads over the surface, it hardens into a var- 

 nish which protects the fruit against atmospheric 

 influences. 



The most available time to attack the rust insect 

 is during the winter, before the trees have put on 

 their new crop of fruit. At that time the insect has 

 fastened itself to the under side of the leaf. It does 

 not transfer itself to the fruit until the oil-cells are 

 well formed. By lodging on the under side of the 

 leaf it is more difficult to attack. But if caustic 

 and well-slaked lime is applied when the leaves are 

 well dampened with dew (dew is better than the 



