114 



THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



THE SOFT BROWN SCALE. 



Coccus hesperidum (Linn.). 



(Fig. 97.) 



General Appearance. — Oval, flat, soft scale, varying from straw to 

 dark brown color; often with distinct darker markings. The largest 

 attain one fourth of an inch or over in length and three fourths as 

 much in width. 



Life History. — The young are born alive in great numbers. The 



male scales are many times smaller 

 than the females and much lighter 

 in color. All stages are bark and 

 leaf feeders. On citrus trees they 

 crowd in such numl^ers as to overlap 

 on the younger limbs and the mid- 

 ribs of the leaves. The life cycle 

 covers from three to five months. 



Distribution.^Throughout the en- 

 tii-e State. A serious pest to many 

 plants and very troublesome in green- 

 houses. 



Food Plants. — Citrus, oleander, 

 camellia, clematis, morning-glory, 

 holly, ivy, laurel, box elder, myrtle, 

 jasmine, mulberry, Cycas revoluta, 

 india rubber, Phlox, California laurel 

 (Umhcllularia calif or niaca) . It does 

 nuich damage to young citrus trees 

 and at Pomona is seriously attacking 

 the old trees. The work is confined 

 to the stems and foliage. 



Control.— Same as for black scale. 



Natural Enemies.— The internal 



parasites, Apltycus flavits, Encyrtus 

 jlavus, Coccophagus Iccaiu'i, Cocco- 

 phagus lunulatus, contribute to hold 

 this pest in check but remedial 

 measures are nearly always necessary 

 wherever it appears. 



Fig. 97. — Soft brown scale (Coc- 

 cus hesperidum Linn. ) on orange 

 twig. (Essig, P. C. Jr. Ent.) 



