Los Angeles herald., 1890-04-22
SCALE PESTS.
B. M. Lelong Tells All About Them
in Florida.

Mr.. B. M. Lelong, secretary of the
| State Board of Horticulture, has writ
ten the following letter, which is self
explanatory, ON the scale pests in Flor
ida:
c.. N. Heintz.
Dear Sir-Yours of the 10Th inst. with
regard to the different species of scale
insects that infest citrus trees in Florida
received, and beg to reply to your
questions as follows, viz:
First. ''How destructive in your es-
timation are the Florida purple, long and
red scales ?"
The purple scale, mytilaspis citricola,
which is one of the most common species
of scale insects found on citrus trees in
Florida was imported into Florida
(Jacksonville) in 1855 on some lemons
sent from Bermuda. Since that time it
has spread over many of the largest
orange districts, and is very injurious to
the tree and fruit. The long or Glover's
scale, mytilaspis Gloverii, is also very
common species on citrus trees
in Florida. 1t infests the fruit,
E leaves and the bark of the
trees and is usually associated
with the purple scale, mytilaspis
to have been introduced into Florida
chased of ship in New York, from
China, and from those trees this scale is
said to have spread. The Florida red
scale, aspidiotus ficus, is similar to the
red scale, aspidiotus aurantii, found in
and about Orange (Australian type).
1t was first observed in 1879,
on sour orange tree, which
was brought from Havana, Cuba, in
1874. Since that time it has spread
considerably. This species infests the
limbs, leaves and fruit indiscriminately,
and distigures the fruit and also the
tree. By this you will see that these
scale insects are very injurious to both
tree and fruit, and that through buying
trees from abroad how they became
permanently established in that State.
Second. "Do you think it would
thrive in our climate, and also in the
northern part of the State?''
Certainly; our climate is wonderfully
favorable to the propagation and dissem-
ination of injurious insects.
Third. "Do you recommend using
sprays or washes, or the gas treatment,
to hold it in check ?"
l recommend the destruction of the
trees wherever found Remedies do not
reach all insects, and the destruction of
the infected tree is the only way to pre-
vent these insect pests from becoming
permanently established in our State.
Fourth. "Is it not the duty of the State
Board of Horticulture to quarantine the
whole State against imported stock
coming from infested localities, and if
any State law provides for so sweeping
quarantine regulations why not put it
in force?''
The State Board appointed all the in
spectors of the various counties through
out the State as quarantine guardians,
in accordance with section Z, page 80,
and section 3, page Ala, Statutes of Cal
ifornia, for the purpose of inforcing the
State law. This latter section gives the
quarantine guardians full authority to |
enter into any place to inspect trees, |
fruits, etc. Section 2, Statutes of Califor- |
mia, 1889, page 4l3, gives the county |
boards and the inspectors thereof author !
ity to cause any infested stock that is
infested with anything liable to spread
contagion to be destroyed, and if any
person or persons neglect to obey the
provisions of this act they will be guilty OF
misdemeanor. This act is general law,
and persons are presumed to have notice
of its provisions, and no one in any
prosecution under that act could plead
ignorance of its provisions. Yours very
truly, B. M. LELoNG, Secretary.