CONTROL OF THE CITROPHILUS MEALYBUG. 
19 
Fig. 11. 
Adult of Seym nus sordidus. 
Greatly enlarged. 
this insect was on such an effective commercial basis that timely 
future attention would effectively hold it in check. 
NATURAL ENEMIES. 
Though the ant control, banding, and trunk spraying have given 
excellent control of the citrophilus mealybug, the importance of its 
natural enemies in conjunction 
with this artificial means of con- 
trol needs emphasis. The nat- 
ural enemies are very effective 
against light infestations, if the 
ants are not present, and even in 
heavier infestations are impor- 
tant in assisting to destroy the 
insects on the foliage and trunks 
following spray treatment. The 
most effective natural enemies 
present in the groves are all 
predators and appear to rank 
in order of importance as fol- 
lows : Chrysopo spp. (fig. 9), 
Leueopis bella Loew (fig. 10), 
and Seymnus sordidus Horn 
(fig. 11). They breed freely in the cottony mass of ovipositing fe- 
males on the trunks, although by no means noticeably reducing the 
mealybug on heavily infested trees. It is, 
however, following the migration of the 
mealybug larva? to the tender fruit and 
foliage that the effectiveness of these nat- 
ural predators is most felt. Here they 
search out and destroy the young mealy- 
bugs, and in the case of light infestations 
frequently prevent the development in- 
creasing to severe proportions. Chrysopa 
and Leueopis are usually most numerous 
during the late spring and summer, while 
Scvmnus is most effective during the earlv 
fall. 
The natural predators of primary im- 
portance in controlling the common mealy- 
bug, namely, Sympherobius spp. and 
Hyperaspis lateralis Muls., are of very 
secondary value against the citrophilus 
mealybug. Cryptolaemus ?no?itrouzieri Mills, (figs. 12, 13), however, 
is very effective against either species. This predator was first tried 
against the citrophilus species by the writers at Alhambra during 
Fig. 12. — Larva of Cryptolae 
mits montrouzieri. Much en 
larged. 
