154 PROCEEDINGS OF THIRTY-THIRD FRUIT-GROWERS ' CONVENTION. 



sure indication that the parasite is present in the orchard. This species 

 also attacks the frosted scale (Eulecanium pruinosum). 



Another species which does equally good on the soft orange scale, the 

 small larvae of the apricot scale, and the cottony maple scale, is 

 Coccophagus lecanii. This is a very useful species, and has been used 

 to great advantage where sudden outbreaks of some of the above species 

 have occurred. It is readily transported in the host on branches and 

 is very prolific, reducing the scale insects rapidly, the percentage often 

 equaling that of the Corny s fusca. 



Another native species is Tomocera calif ornica, one of our best para- 

 sites of the black scale. This species, like the Scutellista, is an egg 

 parasite and its larva is readily found under the host among the delicate 

 pink eggs, rapidly devouring them. It is rather unfortunate that this 

 species is only two-brooded, and unaided it can not keep the pest 

 entirely reduced ; but, nevertheless, it is a very great help to the grower. 



Attacking some of our armored scale insects, such as the San Jose 

 scale {Aspidiotus perniciosas) , the greedy scale (A. rapax), the red 

 scale (Chrysomphalus aurantii) , and others, we are fortunate in hav- 

 ing several minute species, probably native, and all belong to the 

 Aphelinidae. Among these, Aphelinus fuscipennis, A. diaspidis, and 

 A. mytilaspidis are worth mentioning, as these three species are at 

 times so prolific that some of the commoner scales are nearly, if not 

 quite, exterminated. Especially is this the case when climatic condi- 

 tions have been unusually favorable to the parasites. 



A species which does much in reducing the soft orange scale (Coccus 

 hesperidum) , and also some of the half-grown Lecaniums, is Encyrtus 

 flavus, one of our common parasites and found in nearly every locality 

 in the State. 



A very efficient parasite of the cabbage butterfly is Pteromalus 

 puparum, wnich is also widely distributed over the entire State. So 

 prolific is this insect that in some sections cabbage-growing is not 

 molested by the attack of the cabbage-worm. This parasite is found 

 in many sections of the United States, where it is. also known for its 

 efficient work on this and other pests. It attacks the chrysalis, and as 

 many as seventy-five individual parasites have been reared from one 

 chrysalis. 



We have several small Braconids which assist in keeping down the 

 numerous species of plant lice, so destructive to our various crops. 

 These, together with some of our aphis-eating ladybirds, have saved a 

 good portion of the southern melon crop this season. They were 

 established there in large quantities and the result was very noticeable. 



Of our native ladybirds I may mention the following, which have done 

 much in reducing many of our commoner scale insects and plant lice: 



Every grower knows, or should know, the twice-stabbed ladybird 



