T1IF. MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



247 



The scale which infests the leaves affords an excellent opportunity 

 for tree inspection. Scales od the leaves (usually underneath, as shown 

 in Fig. 64) will cause a discoloration that can 

 be seen from a distance. A spot, pale greenish 

 white in color, approximately one to two milli- 

 meters in diameter, exists where the scale is 

 located and is a sure sign of its presence, thus 

 enabling an inspector to positively detect it. 

 This discoloration occurs both on the fruit and 

 leaves. Close observation is required to find it 

 on the hark, as it is very much the same color 



as the tree. 



The best means for control of fig scale have 

 not yet been decided upon. Last spring (1916) 

 several trees were sprayed with a spray material 

 containing a large percentage of naphthol. 

 Considerable damage was caused to both fruit 

 and foliage without affecting the scale to any 

 extent. However, observations made of this 

 scale during the past year and a half have 

 afforded sufficient data on its life history to 

 suggest, as a control measure, a dormant spray 



Lused not later than the first week in March. 

 At the time of writing, March 10, the insect 

 is just beginning to lay eggs for this season. 

 Weather conditions and scarcity of spray ma- 

 terial have prevented spraying experiments in 

 the orchard before this. Several sprays will be 

 tried, however, and it is hoped that something 



Fig. 62. — The Mediter- 

 ranean Fig Scale. hepi- 

 dosaphes ficus. on a 

 branch of imported fig. 

 I Original. ) 



satisfactory will be found for exterminating 

 the pest, even though the trees may have 

 to be severely pruned to permit thorough 

 spraying. 



Two ladybird beetles have been found 

 Feeding upon this scale, the two-stabbed 

 ladybird beetle. Chilocorus hi nil in rus, and 

 Kocb.'le's ladybird beetle, Lindorus lopan- 



lll IIS. 



The Bureau of Entomology. United States 

 Department of Agriculture, has established 

 a permanent laboratory in Fresno, in answer 

 to a request for a special investigation re- 

 garding the life history and control of the 

 tig scale. This request was made through 

 the Horticultural Commission by the fig 

 growers directly interested in the eradica- 

 tion of the pest. R. L. Nougaret, in charge 

 of this station, has already begun the study 

 of this problem 



Fig 63. — Fruit of the fig 

 infested with Lepido- 

 saphes />ri<s. Note the 

 pi', iiliar gray appearance 

 of the stem end. (Orig- 

 inal, i 



