The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-08-04

the calyN. All greatly enlarged. trrom
CBy A. L. ouAINTANcE. United States
Department OF Agricultural
The San Jose or Chinese scale CAS-.
pidiotus perniciosus Comstock) infests
practically all portions Of It's 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 eI.
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. re-
cutting 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 a
reddish decoloration. as exposed In
cutting with knife. and the bark Il.
self may crack, in stone fruits exuding
drops Of masses Of gum. A redden.
ing effect is also much In evidence as
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
to infest to greater extent the older
limbs and branches than the newer
growth. as the wood I year old. On
apple and pear. the terminal twigs
are quite generally infested. and
many Of the young may find their
way to the fruit. settling principally
IA. the calyx and stem cavities. Most
varieties of fruit trees and plants In.
tested from the nursery. In the alb
sence OF treatment. perhaps never
reach fruiting condition. Peach trees
will usually be killed In two or three
seasons, while pear or apple trees win
maintain feeble existence much long.
er. This insect. on account of Its
great similarity to certain other spe-
cies 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 presumptiye
evidence OF the presence Of this pest.
lively determined except by specialists.
but specimens Of infested twigs should
be promptly submitted to a 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.
tically, however, the combined infiu.
ence Of these several agencies Is not
suficient to make up for the enormous
reproductive capacity OF this insect
To preserve the plants from destruc,
ton, It's control must be accomplished
BY artificial means. such as the use
Of sprays.
Among the more common preface
ous insects which are observed feeding
on the scale Is the ocalled pitiful lady.
bird tMicroweisea Pentilia misella
Lee }, shown In the illustration. This
very small, convex. black beetle may
generally be found by any obseryant
person on scale-infested trees.
The San Jose scale. In the absence
Of proper treatment. will quickly
bring about the death OF most plants
Of economic importance. Its discoy.
cry. therefore, whether In orchards or
On priced fruit trees and other plants
In the yard. should call for prompt
stems IN effect its control II has been
amply 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 is in most cases
out of the question.
Where plants are thoroughly In.
crusted, with consequent death OF
branches and stynting Of growth. 4,
will generally be advisable to dig GU,
the trees at once and replace with
new ones. Previous to spraying In
tested trees. the dead and weakened
wood should be pruned out, which will
simplify the work OF spraying and will
hasten the formation Of new sound
wood.
There are several scale washes
which may be employed In the control
of the insect. and the one should be
selected which can le most convent
entity used and which IL economical
under the circumstances. Thus. fol