41 



Destructiveness. — This is a decidedly pernicious species, especially on 

 palms and citrus trees. It is not yet universally distributed in the 

 West Indies, and care should be taken to prevent its introduction 

 into new localities. 



(76) . Aspidiotus aurantii Maskell. — (The Califomian Eed Scale). 



Diagnosis. — The scale closely resembles the last, but there is a sort of 

 nipple-like prominence in the middle, and the insect itself does 

 not show the deep constriction between the thorax and abdomen. 



Distribution. — Jamaica, Montserrat, California, Arizona, Australia, 

 Hong Kong, Formosa, Japan, JSTew Zealand, Fiji Is.. Sandwich Is. 

 Samoa, Tonga, New Caledonia, Central America, Cuba, Ceylon, 

 the Mediterranean Hegion, and, if I remember right, Lounsbury 

 reports it from South Africa. 



I ood-plants.~ J] ^vi'dWy this species is known as a destructive pest of 

 Citrus trees, but as found in Jamaica, it never attacks Citrus, but 

 occurs on lignum-vitse principally. A. articulatus, which is veri/ 

 rarely found on lignurn-vitse, takes its place on Citrus. Other food- 

 plants of A aurantii are Podocarpus (in Japan), coconut palm (in 

 Central America), Taxus (in Italy), Agave Americana (in Ceylon), 

 rose, grape, &c., (in California). 



Variety. — A brownish-yellow variety has been named citrinus by 

 Coquillett. It occurs in California and Japan. 



Enemies. — This scale has many natural enemies. In Australia it ia 

 attacked by a fungus, Microcera coccophila ; which fungus, it may 

 be remarked, also occurs in Jamaica, infesting A. articulatus. 

 Mr. Koebele reports that several coccinallid beetles [Or cut 

 chalybeus, 0. australasice, Rhizohius satellus) pr«y upon A. aurantii 

 in Australia. Dr. L. O. Howard reports six hymenopterous 

 parasites from California, of which three (Coccophagus lunulatut. 

 How., Aphelinus diaspidis, How., and Aphycus immaculatus How., 

 infest tj^ical aurantii ; and three others (Aspidiotiphagus citrinus, 

 Craw., Prospalta aurantii ; How., and Signiphora occidentalis 

 How.,) the var. citrinus. 



Desfructiveness. — When it occurs on Citrus trees, as in California and 

 the eastern Mediterranean region, it is a first-class pest. In 

 Jamaica it is not found in quantity, even on lignum -vitae, and is 

 of no economic importance. It is probable that if the Citrus-feed- 

 ing form were introduced into the West Indies, it would be 

 destructive as elsewhere. 



(77) . Aspidiotus ficus, Ashmead. (The Red-spotted Scale). 



Diagnosis. — A smaU circular black or dark brown scale, with a central 

 shining reddish or orange boss. 



Distribution. — Common in Jamaica. Also found in Cuba, Hayti, 

 Florida, Mexico, Australia, Ceylon, Japan, Egypt, Formosa, and 

 in hothouses in various parts of the United States and Europe. It 

 seems not yet to occur in the lesser Antilles. 



Food-plants. — Very various, including Ficus spp , Citrus trees, 

 Laurus virginiana, coconut palm, Oredoxa regia. Curcuma longa 

 Pandanus, Coelogynecristata,jam})o\msi, MyrtusEillii, Castaneosper' 



