The new era. (Walden, Colo.) 1906-19??, 1911-08-10
The Pitiful ladybird.

a. Beetle: b. larva: C, pupa; d. blossom
OF Microweisea feeding on them. and
the calyx. All greatly enlarged Prom
CBy a. L. QUAINTANCE. United States
Department of Agriculture
The San Jose or Chinese scale CAS-
pidiotus perniciosus Comstock) infests
practically all portions of its host
plants that are above ground-the
trunk. limbs. and branches-and when
abundant it 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. re-
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 a
reddish decoloration. as exposed in
cutting with knife. and the bark it
self may crack, in stone fruits exudipg
1ng 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 a tendency
to infest to greater extent the older
u
growth, as the wood l 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 will
maintain feeble existence much long
err. 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 presumptive
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'
ucally, however. the combined influ
ence of these several agencies is not
sufficient 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 as the use
of sprays.
Among the more common predace
Gus insects which are observed feeding
on the scale is the o-called pitiful lady
bird (Microweisea Pentilia misells
tec.). shown In the illustration. This
very small. convex, black beetle may
generally be found by any observan
person on e-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 discov
cry. therefore, whether in orchards OF
on priced fruit trees and other plants
In the yard, should call for prompt
steps to effect It's control. 1t has beer
amply demonstrated that the scale
may be very successfully controlled
and practically its presence require:
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 o
branches and stunning OF growth. 4
will generally be advisable to dig GU
the trees at once and replace witt
rev ones. Previous to spraying In
tested trees, the dead and weakened
wood should be pruped out. which will
oimplify the work Of spraying and vii
hasten the formation OF new sount
wood.
There are several scale washe.
which may be employed In the contro
of,the insect. and the one should b.
selected which can lie most convent
entity used and which is economical
under the circumstances. Thus. 70
spraying ON q large scale the orchard