The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1911-08-05
The pItisul Ladybird.

OF AicroWetsea feeding on them, ana
the calyx. All greatly enlarged. From
tBy A. I. QuAINrANcE. United States
Department Of Agriculture.)
The San Jose or Chinese scale (As-
pidiotus perniciosus Comstock) infests
practically all portions Of its host
plants that are above ground-the
trunk. limbs. and branches-and when
abundant 1t may occur on the leaves
and fruit. Injury results from the e1-
traction, by the scale insects, of the
juices of the plant. At first this mere.
ly checks growth. but as the insects
increase in number the speedy killing
of the branches and twigs follows. 70.
sulting finally In the death Of the
plants. In addition to the extraction.
by the scales. of sap as food, the pune
turing Of the bark by the slender
sucking mouth.parts results in . dis.
eased and often pitted condition; the
inner bark. or cambium. showing q
reddish decoloration. - exposed in
cutting with knife. and the bark IT.
self may crack. In stone fruits exuding
dsops Of masses Of gum. A Redeem
ing effect Il also much In evidence n
red rings around the scales on the
bark, especially Of the apple and pear.
and on the fruits Of these plants.
though not Characteristic OF any one
scale species.
On peach the scales have tendency
ITO infsst To- . greater extent the older
limbs and branches than the newer
..~-AA -. 49, -rnA v~~r nlA I'm
apple and pear. the terminal twigs
are quite generally infested. and
many of the young may find their
way to the fruit, settling principally
Ii. the calyx and stem cavities. Most
varieties of fruit trees and plants In
fested from the nursery. In the alb
sehceSof treatment, perhaps never
reach {ruiting condition. Peach trees
viii usually be killed in two or three
seasons, while pear or apple trees will
! Ahtain feeble existence much long
This insect, on account of its
Hset similarity to certain other spe-
lcies of scale insects. may be posi-.
lively determined except by specialists.
The occurrence of diseased and dying
branches showing severe scale infes-
tation furnishes strong presumptive
evidence Of the presence of this pest,
lively determined except by specialists.
but specimens Of infested twigs should
b. promptly submitted to = qualified
person for examination.
The San Jose scale is subject to at.
tack by numerous predaceous and
parasitic enemies, which render i'm
portant service In its control. Prac-
ticaily, however. the combined infiu-
ence of these several agencies is not
sufacient to make up for the enormous
reproductive capacity Of this insect.
To preserve the plants from destruc-
ton, its control must be accomplished
BY artificial means, such a. the use
Of sprays.
Among the more common preface
Gus insects which are observed feeding
on the scale IL the o-called pitiful lady.
bird (Microweisea Pentilia misella
Lec.). shown in the illustration. This
very small. convex. black beetle may
generally be found BY any observsnt
person on scale-infested trees.
The San jose scale, in the absence
of proper treatment, will quickly
bring about the death Of most plants
pf economic Importance. Its discov.
.ry. therefore, whether in orchards or
ON priced fruit trees and other plants
In the yard, should call for prompt
steps to effect its control. It has been
.muly demonstrated that the scale
may be very successfully controlled.
and practically Its presence requires
one thorough treatment during the
dormant period each year. On &C
count Of the general distribution Of the
pest, determination 10 in most cases
out OF the question.
Where plants are thoroughly In
crustsd. with consequent death Of
branches and stuntins Of growth. 1t
win generally be advisable to dig out
the trees 1t once and replace with
Ssw ones. Previous to spraying in
tested trees, the dead and weakened
WOOD should b. prunsd out. which will
stmpiify the work Of spraying aud viii
4 Sstnn The formation 81 new sound
wood.
There are several scale washes
which may b employed In the control
al Tie insect. and the one should BE-
isiscteA which can IL most convent
1nfft ues1 M which u economical
uaAss eks circumstances. Thus. for
asaavtng q : iAsns scale ~ orchard