ThaJpoehares cocciphaga Meyr. is nearly always present where these 

 scales occur in large numbers. A fnngoid is cleaning whole trees of 

 them and an attempt will be made to introduce the same into Califor- 

 nia. Probably the same fnngoid is destroying - Leeaninm depression 

 Sign, in Fiji, where whole colonies of these scales succumb to its at- 

 tacks. A second species of fungus was found in these islands that lives 

 upon the Leeamum, these latter becoming black, globular, hard masses. 

 It is also a fungoid that destroys Icerya in Fiji. 



It is only upon bushes or young trees generally covered with large 

 numbers of ants, which prevent the predaceous insects from coming 

 near, that the black scales become numerous, and even these are en- 

 tirely freed of them when the fungoid once becomes established. Upon 

 old trees these scales are rarely found in any number, and if so only upon 

 an occasional branch, which is speedily cleaned again by the numerous 

 predaceous insects preying thereon. 



But three species of Coccinellida* were found preying upon the black 

 scales on olive trees at Adelaide, namely, Ekizobius debilis Blackb., B. 

 earns Blackb., and a very small insect, Cyrema nigellum Blackb. All 

 these are small insects, and if no others help to free these trees from 

 scales, their work is remarkably good considering the numerous para- 

 sites preying upon the Bhizobius larvae and pup;e. 



Aspidiotits durantii Mask, is perhaps the most numerous coccid upon 

 citrus trees throughout Australia. Whether the insect is in reality 

 introduced, and if so when, will be difficult to decide. The Hon. 

 Bobert E. Scobie, of West Maitland, New South Wales, who is well 

 acquainted with all insects affecting fruit trees, informed me positively 

 that this same insect was very numerous fifty years ago upon his trees. 

 Only in rare instances are holes found from whence minute chalcid 

 parasites have issued, and these in the majority of cases on the male 

 scales. From this very fact I hardly think it to be indigenous. It is 

 a fact that this insect is at present the most injurious to citrus trees in 

 Australia, in instances destroying an occasional limb, or even, in rare 

 cases, a whole tree, where these are neglected (but this I have never 

 observed). Unless the greatest wisdom is shown in dealing with 

 this pest it will become so serious as to make profitable orange- 

 growing impossible. Australia is in possession of more than enough 

 natural enemies to keep this coccid in check with ease. To spray or 

 fumigate to kill the Bed Scale would also mean the destruction of the 

 numerous beneficial insects, and those that were not killed outright 

 would mostly leave the orchard in search of other food, and the conse- 

 quence would be that in a few months the trees would again become 

 infested, with no enemies present, and the scales would do great dam- 

 age unless the spray were again applied. 



As it is at the present time, orange and lemon trees are planted in 

 almost any locality, without regard to the situation, condition of the 

 soil, drainage, climatic, and other conditions. The consequence is that 



