124 F. C. WILLCOCKS A MEALY BUG 



mimeroiis eggs and a number of newly-hatched active larvse. Females in 

 earlier stages of growth were fomid at the same time. The increase of this 

 pest is of course very much slower during the cold weather (November to 

 March) than in the spring and summer months. From last year's experience 

 one would gather that the most active period is from May to July or 

 August. 



The species is prolific, a large number of eggs being laid. Sufficient egg- 

 counts have not been made up to the present to permit of a definite statement 

 as to the average number of eggs laid by a female under normal conditions. 

 In January of this year eleven hundred eggs were found in the ovisac of a 



Fig. 2.— Colonies of the mealy bug (females with their ovisacs well developed) situated 

 round the edge of a wound; and in the axils of leaf-petioles. 



single female, which latter appeared to be still quite vigorous. Probably 

 double this number of eggs may be produced under favourable conditions. 



After hatching, the young larvse settle down in large numbers on the 

 twigs. They appear to be specially fond of crowding together in the axils of 

 the leaf-stalks of the compound leaves (fig. 2) ; on the site of old leaf-scars ; 

 at the base of the flower-stalks; and on the growing points of the twigs 

 (fig. 3). When numerous, they invade the leaves, fixing themselves on the 

 petioles (fig. 4). They have also been found on the green seed-pods in the 

 autumn. Another very favourite situation is on the callous tissue formed 

 round the edge of a wound or surface exposed by the "lopping'^ of a 



