336 INSECTS 



Asterolecanium variolosum, Ratzeburg (Planchonia 

 quercicola, Bouche 



In 1895 Mr R. I. Kingsley sent to Mr Maskell from Nelson twigs 

 of oak thickly covered with this coccid, and he stated that "the owner 

 first noticed the blight about fourteen years ago." 



Pseudococcus longispinus, Targioni-Tozzetti (Dactylopius 

 adonidum, Signoret). Mealy Bug 



What I think was certainly this species was abundant in a vinery 

 in Auckland in 1884; it was also reported from Whangarei. It was 

 not recorded, however, until 1889, when Mr Maskell stated that it 

 occurred in the hot-houses and stoves of Government House, Wel- 

 lington. In 1895 Mr Maskell mentioned an outbreak of this pest in 

 the Hutt Valley, near Wellington. In the following year Captain 

 Broun reported that it had proved a terrible nuisance in some of the 

 northern vineries; at Tauranga it was most abundant on passion- 

 vines (Passiflora sp.). It was also found commonly on many fruit 

 trees. 



The Agricultural Department introduced the black ladybird (Rhi- 

 zobius ventralis), the steely-blue ladybird (Orchus chalybeus), and the 

 red-headed ladybird (Cryptolcemus montrouzeri), specially to combat 

 this dangerous pest. 



Pseudococcus coriaceus, Maskell (Eriococcus coriaceus). 

 Blue-Gum Scale 



First noticed about Timaru in 1900, having been introduced from 

 Australia, partly among young gum trees, and partly by hardwood 

 logs. It has been detected within recent years as being brought in 

 in both ways. It was originally described by Mr Maskell in 1892 

 from specimens sent to him from New South Wales. About 1900 

 plantations of gums (Eucalyptus globulus and E. stuartiana chiefly) 

 were attacked by this scale insect, and trees 40 to 80 feet in 

 height were completely killed. It soon spread over S. Canterbury 

 and North Otago, and threatened to destroy all the gum trees in the 

 country (including E. gunnii, E. amygdalina, E. regnans, and E. cocci- 

 ferd). Later on it was found infesting European myrtle (Myrtus com- 

 munis). 



A number of black ladybirds (Rhizobius ventralis), red-headed 

 ladybirds (Cryptolesmus montrouzeri), and steely-blue ladybirds (Or- 

 chus chalybeus) were brought from North of Auckland, where they 

 had been introduced some years previously, and were liberated near 

 Timaru. The two last-named species could not stand the winter of 

 S. Canterbury, but the Rhizobius increased rapidly and very soon 



