195 



These fungi penetrate the bodies of scale insects and uause 

 their death. The red -headed fungus may be recognized by the 

 small orange-red fruiting bodies which are often to be seen 

 attached to the purple scale of the orange and other species. 

 The ehield scale fungus forms a fringe of very delicate white 

 growth which projects from under the bodies of the shield 

 scales. (Fig. 185.) The black fungus may be most readily 

 recognized by the small black patches which it forms in the 

 midst of colonies of the white scales such as the orange 

 snow scale. 



These parasitic fungi exert a very considerable 

 influence over the numbers of certain species of scale 

 insects, but like most fungi, they make their best develop- 

 ment in a considerable amount of moisture, and conse- 

 quently their influence is greatest in damp localities and 

 in the wet season of the year. 



Fig. 184. Syrphus fly. 



(a) fly ; (b} lateral view of head ; (r) larva. All much enlarged. 

 'From U.S. Dept. Agric.) 



PLANT LICE. Plant lice are attacked by the same kind 

 of natural enemies as those that attack the scale insect*, 

 that is by predaceous insects and parasitic fungi. The 

 predaceous insect enemies of plant lice include the lady- 

 birds, the lace-wing and syrphus flies. They are also 

 attacked by the parasitic Hyrnenoptera. 



