262 DISEASES OF TROPICAL PLANTS OH. 



3 *5 to 7*5 micro-millimetres in diameter. Within the body of 

 the insect, and near the pycnidia, they are somewhat smaller. 



The spores can also be mixed in water and sprayed 

 on to the trees that are infested with these pests. The 

 spray pump which is used for this purpose should not 

 be used for spraying with chemicals, and should not be 

 fitted with copper parts. 



A. flavo-citrina, P. Henn., has been reported on A. 

 citri in Florida and Cuba, and has also been reported 

 from Brazil. A. turbinata has also been reported as 

 parasitic on Ceroplastes Jloridensis in Florida and A. 

 sclerotioides, Henn., has been reported on scale insects 

 of the rubber trees. 



Verticillium, a genus belonging to the Hyphomycetes 

 (see page 53), contains a number of species which are 

 parasitic on insects. The most important tropical 

 species is V. heterocladum, Penz, which attacks 

 Aleyrodes citri, Mytilaspis citricola, M. Gloverii, 

 Lucanium sp. of orange and Diaspis sp. (from Enony- 

 mus americanus) in Florida, and Leucanium hesperi- 

 dum of lemon in Italy. It has also been reported 

 from the West Indies, South America, and Africa. 



Fawcett describes it as follows : 



Verticillium heterocladum, in general appearance, resembles 

 the brown fungus of Webber (Plate IV., Fig. 31). On close 

 examination, however, it is found to be strikingly different. 

 The pustules, which are cinnamon-coloured, are powdery on the 

 surface. Under the hand-lens they appear brush-like in form, 

 bristling with hyphae. From the edge of the pustules there 

 grows out a creeping layer of white, delicate, interwoven 

 hyphae. 



There are a number of other species of Verticillium 

 which are parasitic on insects. 



Sphaerostilbe coccophila, 1 TuL, is one of the most 

 widely distributed and important of the entomogenous 

 fungi. It belongs to the Hypocreales and occurs in nearly 

 every tropical and temperate country of the world, and 

 attacks a much larger number of insects than any 



1 Syn. Micocrocera coccophila, Desmaz. 



