CONTROL OF MEALYBUGS 5 



although several may he laid in a group. In the greenhouse all eggs were 

 laid among the woolly filaments of the mealybug egg masses, but Essig 

 (5, 6) reports that on citrus trees which were heavily infested with mealy- 

 bugs, eggs were laid on the bark, leaves, and fruit. In any case they are 

 placed so that the newly hatched larva can find mealybug eggs for food 

 easily and quickly. (See Figure 1 A.) 



Larva 



The larvae are oblong to oblong-oval in shape. When newly hatched 

 tliey are about 1 mm. long and have little covering. As they grow, the 

 body, which is dark yellow in color, becomes covered witli white woolly 

 filaments which are generally long, wedged shaped. (See Figure 1 B). 

 The full-grown larvae are about 1 cm. long and one-third as wide, but 

 the white filaments give them the appearance of being nearly twice as 

 large. The head and last abdominal segment, as well as the last three 

 segments of the legs, are black. The abdomen is composed of nine seg- 

 ments which taper toward the rear, the last segment being much smaller 

 tlian the others. The larvae are quite cannibalistic when an abundant 

 food supply is lacking and eat many eggs and smaller larvae. 



Pupa 



The pupa itself is about 5 mm. long and bright yellow in color. How- 

 ever, pupation takes place within the woolly covering of the larva so that 

 the general outer appearance is that of a dormant larva. (See Figure 1 C.) 

 On the margin of the abdomen of the naked pupa, there is a characteristic 

 row of short spines. The pupa seems to be a vulnerable stage in the life 

 of this insect and when they are abundant, many dead pupae are found. 

 In the greenhouse, a majority of the pupae were found attached to the 

 underside of the plant benches. 



Adult 



The beetle is approximately 5 mm. long and 3 mm. wide, having the 

 hemispherical convex shape typical of most ladybird beetles. The head, 

 prothorax, abdomen, and posterior tip of the wing covers are salmon red 

 and the remainder of the body is black. The entire body is covered with 

 short hairs. The head is very small and the black eyes are quite notice- 

 able. The antennae are short and hairy, and the mandibles are split at 

 the up. There is no distinctive external difference in appearance between 

 the sexes. The beetles are active, especially in warm weather, and fly 

 or run easily when disturbed. They are frequently found resting in the 

 crotches of branches, in the axils of leaf stems, and on the underside of 

 leaves. (See Figure 1 D.) 



LIFE HISTORY 



Cryptolaciniis vio)itrouaicri continues its development and reproduction as 

 long as food is available and climatic conditions are favorable. 



L'nder optimum conditions in the greenhouse, the time required for 

 completing a life cycle extending from the newly laid egg to the adult 



