512 CITRU8 FRUITS AND THEIR CULTURE. 



hatching. The size of the sac and length of time required 

 for its growth depend, leaving the weather and the health 

 of the food plant out of consideration, upon the number 

 of eggs which the female deposits. The excretion of the 

 egg-sac continues as long as oviposition lasts. 



It probably requires from 60 to 90 days to complete 

 the egg-sac from the time of its beginning. The length of 

 time depends largely upon the health of the tree on which 

 the insect is located and also upon the number of insects 

 infesting it. Development is much more rapid upon vig- 

 orous than upon sickly trees. 



The adult male is a winged insect with dark red 

 body, grayish wings, and of very slender, fragile struc- 

 ture. The antennae are dark colored and have two whorls 

 of light hairs extending from each joint except the first. 

 When the insect is at rest the wings lie flat upon the 

 back. It is readily found in situations where the male 

 larvae have pupated, under boards, beneath cracks and 

 in the general litter of the grove. 



Remedies. It was against the cottony cushion scale 

 that fumigation was first practiced. But neither fumi- 

 gation nor spraying, although the insect was held in 

 check to some extent, availed much against its inroads. 

 The entire citrus industry of California was threatened, 

 and it was not until the Australian lady-bug was intro- 

 duced that its ravages were checked. By this predaceous 

 enemy, Novius cardinalis, the cottony cushion scale was 

 brought under absolute control. In Florida the same 

 method of control was likewise entirely successful. 

 Hence, when the cottony cushion scale gains a foothold, 

 its enemy, the Australian lady-bug, should be introduced 

 at once. While waiting temporarily for the arrival of the 

 lady-bugs, resin wash or kerosene emulsion may be used. 



