SPRAYIXG FOR CITRUS IXSECTS AND MITES IN FLORIDA. 



the realization that parasitic fungi, excellent as they are, are not a 

 complete method of insect control, but should be supplemented by- 

 spraying with insecticides. The growing use of spray mixtures and 

 the spraying schedule advocated in this bulletin has also been an 

 influential factor in bringing about this change. Spraying as a 

 method of control has been followed successfully in Florida by many 

 who are acknowl- 

 edged to be successful 

 growers. 



REASONS FOR BAD RE- 

 SULTS IN THE PAST. 



Spraying, however, 

 taken throughout the 

 citrus area, has not 

 yielded satisfactory 

 results. Growers have 

 not obtained satisfac- 

 tory results from 

 spraying and have 

 become discouraged 

 for two main reasons : 

 (1) Lack of reason- 

 able thoroughness on 

 the part of laborers 

 and (2) lack of a 

 proper appreciation 

 of the requirements 

 for spraying on the 

 part of the grove 

 owner. (See fig. 9.) 



Because success did 

 not follow a single 

 haphazard applica- 

 tion of an ineffective 

 insecticide, spraying 

 has been pronounced 

 a failure by many. The writer has examined leaves from sprayed 

 groves and found not more than 10 per cent of the insects killed. He 

 has known personally of instances in which grove owners have pur- 

 chased reliable and expensive power sprayers only to turn over the 

 mixing of the insecticide and the spraying of the trees to uninstructed 

 labor. Many fine groves have been sprayed by men who did not 

 hit 40 per cent of the insects with the spray. One crew operating 





FIG. 0. The Florida red scale, showing the adult females 

 and young stages. The lower portion of the leaf has 

 been eaten by a grasshopper. 



