394 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE ORANGE. 



fringed wings. (See Fig. 405.) It lays an egg under each 

 scale, the larva from which is a white, fleshy, footless grub, 



Fig. 404. 



Fig. 405. 



that feeds upon the eggs. By the time it has consumed 

 them all it has reached full growth, when it changes to a 



pupa, and, after remaining in 

 this condition a few days, the 

 fly escapes by eating a passage 

 through the top of the scale. 

 Where this parasite does not 

 occur, it may be introduced with 

 advantage by taking into the 

 locality branches infested with 

 scales which are known to have 

 been parasitized. This useful insect destroys immense num- 

 bers of the scales, and is doubtless one of the chief natural 

 agencies provided to check their undue increase. 



A species of mite, Oribates aspidioti Ashmead, has been 

 found feeding on the eggs of this scale-insect. It is about 

 one-fiftieth of an inch long, of an elongated, flattened form 

 and a dark reddish-brown color. 



