28 
Shaddock (A&pi&iotus aurantii). It was found to be a European 
species, the Coccus-loving Microcera (AJicrocera coccophila, 
Desm.— Sphaero&tilbe coccophila , Till.)? and had previously been 
found in Queensland by Mr. F M. Bailey, infesting a Coccus on 
the lemon (Plate III., Fig. 2.) Another has been found on the 
“White Louse” or “ White Orange Scale” ( Chionaspis citri, 
Comstock), and it is the Straight-spored Microcera new to 
science ( Microcera rectispora , Cooke and Mass.). 
The discovery of these fungi parasitic on scale insects opens up 
a wide held of inquiry, and suggests the possibility of employing 
them as a means of ridding orchards of such insects. Already 
fungi have been utilized in fighting insect pests, and a well- 
known case is that of the Chinch Bug in America which was 
kept in check, if not almost stamped out, by this means. In 
Florida several fungi were found on the honey-dew secreting 
insects, and, although no results have as yet been obtained from 
experiments, yet the efficiency of the fungus is undoubted. 
“Extensive field observations indicate that Aschersouia [the 
parasitic fungus] will prove a valuable aid in keeping the mealy 
wing in check, and thus controlling the Sooty Mould. In the 
town of Gainesville, where the Sooty Mould has been very 
abundant and destructive for a number of years, it is generally 
acknowledged that the trees are gradually recovering, and this is 
probably to be attributed to the presence of Aschersouia, which is 
very abundant. On many trees it was difficult to find a living 
larva or pupa of the mealy wing, and in such cases the leaves were 
thickly dotted over with the pustules of Aschersonia.” 
Generally speaking, fungi are readily spread by means of the 
spores which they usually produce in such abundance. The ants 
which feed upon the honey-dew secreted by the insects may carry 
them from place to place, as well as flies of various kinds which 
come in contact with the affected leaves. But artificial means 
may be resorted to. The spores may be mixed up with water 
and applied as a spray, or branches with the fungus may be cut 
olf and hung over trees infested with the insect, in order that the 
rain may wash down the spores : or the most satisfactory of all is 
to transplant young orange trees infested with the fungus into 
groves where the insect occurs without the parasite. Entomo¬ 
logists as a rule are not sufficiently acquainted with fungi to 
appreciate their importance, and, therefore, this method of keeping 
insects in check has not as yet been extensively tried. 
Treatment. —It will be evident from the preceding that the 
only sensible and efficacious treatment will be to get rid of the 
insect which provides nourishment for the fungus. Mr. French, 
the Government Entomologist, informs me that the principal 
scale insects attacking the citrus leaves infested by “ Sooty 
Mould ° are the Red Scale (Aspidiotus aurantii , Mask.) and the 
