THE SAN JOSE SCALE. 



common Cottony Scale of maple, and, to a lesser extent, 

 of elm, grape, Virginia Creeper, and other plants. When 

 common, the ground or pavement beneath them becomes 

 covered with a black, sticky substance, the honey-dew, 

 upon which a peculiar fungus grows. 



Eulecanium is a large genus, some members of which 

 are likely to be found in every yard that contains fruit. 

 The females lay their eggs under their bodies but do not 

 secrete a cottony covering. E. nigrofasciatiim is the 

 Terrapin Scale of the peach and other trees. E. pruino- 

 sum is the Frosted Scale of fruit and forest trees. Tulip 

 trees should be examined for E. tulipiferce; it is one of the 

 largest Soft Scales of our region. 



Several species of Saissetia are frequently found on 

 palms, ferns, and other house-plants. 



Diaspinae 



These are the scale-insects. Their body is covered by a 

 shell, which is composed in part of moulted skins and in 

 part of a secretion from the body itself. 



With good reason, this (Plate XXIV) 

 Aspidiotus is the scale mogt often i nqu i re d about. It 



perniciosus . . . , . 



is the Pernicious or San Jose, and is so small 



(about .06 in. long at most) that it is not usually noticed 

 until it has become destructively abundant. Felt says: 

 "Trees which have been badly infested for some time have 

 a rough bark covered with dark gray, scurfy patches, and, 

 if this be scratched with a knife or finger nail, an oily 

 yellowish substance will be crushed from the living insects 

 under the scales. This insect breeds so rapidly that it is 

 not uncommon to find large numbers on a tree previously 

 comparatively free. In that event the bark may be 

 literally covered with recently established scales and not 

 appear very rough. There is, however, a peculiar, granu- 

 lar look, and those familiar with the bark of a rapidly 

 growing tree are aware that some change has taken place. 

 There is nothing like a good magnifier in these cases, 

 and, if this shows hundreds of circular, black or dark gray 

 objects, with dot and ring, or lighter gray, yellowish 

 marked scales, send a sample of the bark to somebody 



93 



