New York AriuicuLTuuAL Experimbnt Station. 277 



III. A MEALY BUG ATTACKING QUINCE TREES. 



D act ylo plus sp. 



Late iu April of last season a quince twig infested with a 

 species of Dactyloplus was brouglit into tlie laboratory. The 

 bearer stated that the insect was first noticed about three weeks 

 previous. On April 27, the orchard was examined. It is one of 

 the largest bearing quince orchards in the vicinity of Geneva, 

 and is situated in an exposed position on the west shore of 

 Seneca Lake. Nearly all of the trees were infested, especially 

 those along the north side, but none of them sufficiently to show 

 injurious effects. 



Notes on life history and habits. — On the date above given the 

 mealy-bugs were crawling about on the small branches and twigs 

 or had settled down in protected places in the angles or near the 

 buds. Most of them were from one-third to two-thirds grown. 

 A few adults were found under the loose bark of the trunk and 

 large limbs, but no eggs. 



June 28, the orchard was again visited. The twigs were 

 infested about as in April. On this date however, large numbers 

 of adults were found under the loose bark making cocoons and 

 laying eggs. As a rule thej were in groups of from two to six 

 or eight as shown at Plate XXXIX, Fig. 1. This picture is from 

 a photograph from life showing the insects enlarged to about four 

 times natural size. Some of them are partially covered by their 

 cocoons. A few eggs are scattered about. From this date until 

 the middle of August there was little change in the numbers. 

 From the middle to the latter part of August there was a 

 decided decrease in numbers. By the first of September very 

 few were left on the twigs. Nearly all of those that remained 

 sought shelter under the loose bark. By September 26, the num- 

 bers had diminished materially. Those remaining were from 

 half to two-thirds grown. A few larvae were found. 



Octoiber 26, which was an unusually bright, warm day for that 

 season of the year, the mealy-bugs were crawling about freely. 



