76 JNSECTS AFFECTING THE ORANGE. 



PREDATORY LEPWOPTEEA. 



THE CocciD-EATiNa DAKRUMA (Dakruma coccidivora Con x). [Plate 

 VI, Fig. 3: a, egg; &, larva; c, pupa; <Z, motli; e, moth resting *n a Bark- 

 louse.] The predatory habits of this little moth were first ma le known 

 by Professor Comstock (North American Entomologist, I, p. 25), who 

 found its larva eating various species of Bark-lice. It is also v, ry com- 

 mon in the spring of the year on orange trees infested by theoft bodied 

 Coccids, Lecanium, Ceroplastes, &c., and does incalculable service ii clear- 

 ing them of these pests. It, however, does not attack the Dia 'pinae 

 unless compelled by hunger to do so, and seems to experience some diffi- 

 culty in biting through their hard scales. 



Several larvae live together socially in silken galleries, with wh oh 

 they cover twigs and branches infested with Scale-insects. Undt v- 

 ueath the covering of web the caterpillars of Dakrurua move back an t 

 forth, actively engaged in removing' the Bark-lice from the bark am ' 

 suspending them in the investing web. Nothing could be more thor 

 ough than their work. Branches iucrusted with Lecanium scales ar< 

 very quickly cleared of the lice, and the Dakrurna larvae do not cease to 

 extend their operations until every individual Ooccid in the colony has 

 been lifted from its place and securely fastened in the web above. 



While constructing their galleries the caterpillars stop occasionally 

 to feed upon the Coccids. At such times they seldom finish their repasts, 

 but, like busy workmen, as they are, hastily snatch a bite or two by way 

 of lunch, and suspend the half- devoured fragments in their web. When 

 the entire scale colony has been secured within its net, the Dakruma 

 larva rests from its labors and feeds at leisure upon the Coccids sus- 

 pended in its larder. It devours not only the eggs and young and the 

 softer parts of the Bark-lice, but even to some extent their harder skin 

 or scale. The result of its operations upon Lecanium and Ceroplastes 

 scales is to utterly annihilate the colonies of these insects which they 

 attack. 



Larva. A rather slender caterpillar, nearly half an inch in length, 

 very dark green, almost black in color ; the body bears a few long hairs 

 arising from pale brown spots. 



Pupa. The chrysalis is formed within the galleries of the larva, and 

 is loosely wrapped in a cocoon of silk. It is slender, tapering to the 

 anal extremity, of varying shades of brown, darkest on the back and 

 lighter on the belly and wing-pads. 



Imago. A small, dark colored moth, one-third of an inch in length. 

 The body is dark- brown above and gray beneath ; the forewings are 

 light gray, with markings of brown and black; the eyes are black and 

 distinctly faceted. 



Egg. White, oval, the surface covered with a network of raised 

 lines, the meshes forming irregular hexagons. 



History. The eggs are laid singly among the Coccids; they hatch in 

 five or six days ; the caterpillars, if food is abundant, attain their full 



