BENEFICIAL INSECTS 



621 



Fig. 15. The Pui'ple Scale Tarasite (Aspidio- 

 Uplumus citrinus Craw [Family Eulophi- 

 dae]). An exceedingly small insect, almost 

 microscopic in size, lisht and brownish yel- 

 low in color with winjrs, antennae and legs 

 pale. Generally distributed throughout the 

 purple scale-infested citrus districts in the 

 southern part of California, but often limited 

 or totally absent in certain localities. Works 

 uncertainly but often very effectually on 

 purple scale. (Lepidosaphes beckit) in small 

 localities, but of little consequence in con- 

 trolling this pest. It also works on yellow 

 scale (Chrysomphalus citrinus), red scale 

 (Chrysoniphahis aurantii). and pernicious 

 scale (Aspi<Iiotus Pcfniciosus). 



Fig. 16. Parasite of the Soft Brown Scale 

 (Encjp'ius flavus Howard [Family Encyrti- 

 <Jae]). A small parasite scarcely one-six- 

 teenth of an inch long. The general color 

 of the female is ochre : compound eyes 

 brown : ocelli red : antennae yellow with tips 

 black : the tips of the feet black. The basal 

 third of the fore wines are clear with the 

 remainder clouded with brown : the hind 

 wings are clear. The males are consider- 

 ably smaller than the females, and shiny 

 metallic sreen in color with legs and anten- 

 nae very light : wings clear with brown 

 veins. Quite common throughout California, 

 but especially abundant in the southern part. 

 The soft brown scale (Coccus hesperidum) 

 is often very effectually checked by its 

 attacks. 



The beetles are now in their final pack- 

 ages ready for distribution. But the 

 time when they are needed will not ar- 

 rive for six months, and meanwhile they 

 must be kept alive and in first class condi- 

 tion. This, Indeed, is the most difficult 

 part of the whole business, the great 

 problem being, as will be understood, to 

 extend by artificial means, the natural 

 hibernating period of the beetles in such 

 a way that they may not lose any of 

 their vitality. 



In order that this may be accomplished 

 they must be kept cold, without exposure 

 to any marked change in temperature. If 

 they are allowed to become warm, even 

 for a little while, or moisture comes in 

 contact with them, they will heat and 

 cake into a solid mass, thus killing the 

 entire colony in a remarkably short time. 



A temperature slightly under 40 de- 

 grees Fahrenheit and plenty of ventilation 

 is an absolute necessity, and the air must 

 also be slightly moist, and the "crop" 

 requires continual attention and at times 

 the conditions must be changed quickly, 

 or the entire lot will be lost. 



Fig. 17. Parasite of the Brown Apricot Scale 

 iComys fusca Howard [Family Encyrtidae] ), 

 The adults of this parasite are about one- 

 eighth of an inch long and rich brown 

 throughout in color. The wings are clouded 

 with brownish markings, the bases remain- 

 ing clear and when folded over the back, 

 form a silverlike spot which is very notice- 

 able when the insects are walking. The veins 

 are black. The tips of the legs are yellow- 

 ish with dark claws. One of the mist com- 

 mon parasites occurring in all parts of Cali- 

 fornia. Of all the internal parasites of scale 

 insects this is one of the most efficient and 

 is often quite a controlling factor in keeping 

 down the brown apricot scale (Leacnium 

 rorpi}. 



Fig. 18. Scale Parasite iCoccophatjus Iccanii 

 Fitch [Family Eulophidael ). Tlie adults 

 are scarcel.y one-eightli of an inch long, dark 

 bluish-black in color with a very noticeable 

 and characteristic yellow scutellum. The 

 antennae and the legs, excepting the dark 

 femora, are amber. Exceedingly common 

 throughout the entire southern and central 

 parts of California. A very effective parasite 

 on soft-brown scale (Coccus hesperidum J , 

 European fruit scale (Lecanium corni) and 

 frosted scale (Eulecanium pruinosum). In 

 fact It may be reared from almost any of the 

 members of the above genera. 



