BENEFICIAL INSECTS 621 
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Fig. 15. The Purple Scale Parasite (Aspidio- 
tiphagus citrinus Craw [Family WBulophi- 
dae}]). An exceedingly small insect, almost 
microscopic in size, light and brownish yel- 
low in color with wings, antennae and legs 
pale. Generally distributed throughout the 
purple scale-infested citrus districts in the 
southern part of California, but often limited 
or totally absent in certain localities. Works 
uncertainly but often very effectually on 
purple scale. (Lepidosaphes beckii) in small 
localities, but of little consequence in con- 
trolling this pest. It also works on yellow 
seale (Chrysomphalus citrinus), red scale 
(Chrysomphalus aurantii), and pernicious 
scale (Aspidiotus Perniciosus). 
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Fig. 16. Parasite of the Soft Brown Seale 
(Encyrtus flavus Howard [Family Encyrti- 
dae]). A small parasite scarcely one-six- 
teenth of an inch long. The general color 
of the female is ochre; compound eyes 
brown; ocelli red; antennae yellow with tips 
black; the tips of the feet black. The basal 
third of the fore wings are clear with the 
remainder clouded with brown; the hind 
Wings are clear. The males are consider- 
ably smaller than the females, and shiny 
metallic green in color with legs and anten- 
nae very light; wings clear with brown 
veins. Quite common throughout California, 
but especially abundant in the southern part. 
The soft brown scale (Coccus hesperidum) 
bn often very effectually checked by its 
acks. | 
The beetles are now in their final pack- 
ages ready for distribution. But the 
time when they are needed will not ar- 
rive for six months, and meanwhile they 
must be kept alive and in first class condi- 
tion. This, indeed, is the most difficult 
part of the whole business, the great 
problem being, as will be understood, to 
extend by artificial means, the natural 
hibernating period of the beetles in such 
a way that they may not lose any of 
their vitality. | 
In order that this may be accomplished 
they must be kept cold, without exposure 
to any marked change in temperature. If 
they are allowed to become warm, even 
for a little while, or moisture comes in 
contact with them, they will heat and 
cake into a solid mass, thus killing the 
entire colony in a remarkably short time. 
A temperature slightly under 40 de- 
grees Fahrenheit and plenty of ventilation 
is an absolute necessity, and the air must 
also be slightly moist, and the “crop” 
requires continual attention and at times 
the conditions must be changed quickly, 
or the entire lot will be lost. 
Fig. 17. Parasite of the Brown Apricot Scale 
(Comys fusca Howard [Family HEncyrtidae]), 
The adults of this parasite are about one- 
eighth of an inch long and rich brown 
throughout in color. The wings are clouded 
with brownish markings, the bases remain- 
ing clear and when folded over the back, 
form a silverlike spot which is very notice- 
able when the insects are walking. The veins 
are black. The tips of the legs are yellow- 
ish with dark claws. One of the most com- 
mon parasites occurring in all parts of Cali- 
fornia. Of all the internal parasites of scale 
insects this is one of the most efficient and 
is often quite a controlling factor in keeping 
dow” the brown apricot scale (Leacnium 
corpt). - 
Fig. 18. Seale Parasite (Coccophagus lecanii 
Fitch [Family Eulophidae]). The adults 
are scarcely one-eighth of an inch long, dark 
bluish-black in color with a very noticeable 
and characteristic yellow scutellum. (The 
antennae and the legs, excepting the dark 
femora, are amber. Exceedingly common 
throughout the entire southern and central 
parts of California. A very effective parasite 
on soft-brown scale (Coccus hesperidum), 
European fruit scale (Lecaniwm corni) and 
frosted scale (Hulecanium pruinosum). In 
fact it may be reared from almost any of the 
members of the above genera. a 
