The Oral Secretions of the Pineapple Mealybug1

Abstract

The method of artificially feeding Pseudococcus breyipes is described. The feeding tracks are deposited in plain agar gels. Additional elements of the oral secretions of the insect diffuse beyond the area of agar gel actually fed upon. The presence of radioactive P can be shown in tissues of mealybugs, is transferred from one agar gel to another by mealybugs and can be recovered from the roots of plants which have been fed upon by mealybugs charged with P. Artificial feeding of mealybugs on plain agar gels does not affect the ability of the insect to deposit feeding tracks, or to produce green spotting or striping of pineapple leaves.[long dash]Walter Carter.