ORANGES IN WESTERN ANDALUSIA. 669 



For the destruction of all the above-mentioned insect pests the liberal 

 application of powdered sulphur is recommended, such application being 

 probably most thoroughly affected by using bellows. In many districts, 

 however, the method usually followed is to thoroughly scrape and 

 cleanse the attacked branches, removing the badly-damaged parts, and 

 thereafter applying to the affected surfaces a solution of lime (as advo- 

 cated by Du Breuil) or strong vinegar (according to M. Goreau), using 

 a brush for such applications. 



Aphis aurantii (Blanchfere) and Aphis citris (Du Breuil) are by some 

 thought to be identical. This is a very large group, and exact scientific 

 identification is therefore difiicult. The most common variety encoun- 

 tered here is the pulgon del naranjo {Anglice, flea of the orange tree), 

 which is a small insect, green in color, with black stripes, having large 

 antennaj and black extremities. They are most plentiful in September. 

 During spring and summer they multiply rapidly, usually taking their 

 stand upon the distal ends of tender shoots, where a certain number re- 

 main during winter in a lethargic state. 



For the destruction of the Aphis, Du Breuil strongly urges fumiga- 

 tion with tobacco, for which the bellows may be used with advantage. 

 One thorough fumigation ought generally to be sufficient, but if this is 

 not found to be the case the iirocess may be repeated until the insect is 

 extirpated. 



Amongst the noxious Ooleoptera the most generally known is the 

 Othiorhytuihusmeridionalis (Schoeul). This insect is about one centime- 

 ter in length, of ;i reddish-black hue, and has striated elytra. Dur- 

 ing the day it hides on the ground near the trees, where it is most easily 

 pursued and destroyed ; at night it climbs upon the tree and ascends 

 to the highest parts, usually seeking for the most tender buds and leaves. 



All of the above-mentioned species limit their ravages to the branches, 

 leaves, and buds. There are, however, some insects not less noxious 

 which chiefly attack the fruit of the orange tree. The most dreaded 

 of this class is the cochineal bug (Coccus citri). This insect is of a 

 lengthened oval shape, with convex back and somewhat rounded abdo- 

 men ; its color varies from an ashy grey to a pale yellow, and at certain 

 times it is covered with a white, fluffy dust ; it has peculiar prolonga- 

 tions or processes on the sides, and the posterior extremities are longer 

 than the others. The male differs from the female in having two large 

 transparent wings. The femaleseci-etes a whitish, cottony down, wherein 

 yellowish eggs, varying in number from 150 to 400, are deposited. When 

 the larviB are liberated they attach themselves to the tenderest buds 

 and shoots. There does not seem to be a fixed season for the liberation 

 of the larvae, further than that the hatching process is most abundant 

 during periods of high temperature. The damage caused by this insect 

 is noticed more especially by the great lossof fruit, amounting in some 

 cases to half or even two-thirds of the usual harvest. In the French 

 departments of the Var and Alpes Maritimes, as well as in Mentone, 



