94 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



Distillate canstie-soda water mechanical mixture or lime-sulphur (1-9) 

 when the trees are dormant are etficient. 



Natural Enemies. — Dr. A. J. Cook found that the two-stabbed lady- 

 bird beetle {Chilocorxs hindiicnts) was prejdng upon the elm scale at 

 San Rafael. 



THE MARLATT SCALE. 



FIktiucococciis iitorlaffi Ckll. 

 (Fig. 73.) 



General Appearance, — The young scales oidy have power of locomo- 

 tion, Avhich they lose as they grow older. The adult females are not 

 protected by a shell or scale, but secrete around and partially over 

 themselves a white wax. They are about 1 mm. long, oval, wine red 

 in color, and assembled in great colonies at the base of the leaves. 



Life History. — Very lit- 

 tle of the true life history 

 of this coccid is known, 

 except that it is a very 

 troublesome pest to the 

 date pahn. The females 

 give birth to living young, 

 which appear in great num- 

 bers in the early spring. 

 These seek the base of the 

 palm leaves, where they are 

 thoroughly protected be- 

 fore they settle to feed. 

 Gradually the legs disap- 

 pear and white wax is 

 secreted to cover and pro- 

 tect the naked body. The 

 male is unknown. The pro- 

 lifica-cy of this species is a 

 pronounced characteristic. 



Distribution. — Limited 

 to the southern part of the 

 State, in Riverside and 

 Imperial counties, where 

 dates are commercially 

 grown. 

 Food Plants.— Feeds at the base of the leaves of the commercial 

 dates. 



Control. — Carbolic acid emulsion poured in large quantities at the 

 bases of the leaves until the trunk is thoroughly saturated has afforded 

 best results, according to County Horticultural Connnissioner W. H. 

 Wilsie. 



Natural Enemies. — No natural enemies have been found working 

 upon this scale. 



Fig. 73. — The Marlatt scale, Phwnicococcus 

 marlatti Ckll. (After Cockerell.) 



