198 



NEW VOKK STATE ML'SEU.M 



inattiT in whicli the eggs are depositc-tl. The females arc very noticeable 

 about AIijan\- in July when present in numbers. 



Food plants. This pest, as is well known, is most destructive in New 

 ^ iirk State to the soft or silver maple, though it attacks many other plants, 

 such as sugar and Norway maples, elms and grapevines. The above named 

 are the more important trees and vines injured by this scale insect. 



Method of distribution. Tiie )-oung of this species are carried from 

 tree to tree in about the same manmr as allied forms. Birds, other insects 

 (■i».-E^^=*7 '^"'■^ <^\<^n spiders frecjuenling infested trees are often compelled 

 l|ll||! |)||!' to assist in the liistribution of tiiis pest b}- the active young 

 ' ' ' crawling on them as they rest on the twigs. Once a young 



scale is on a bird's foot or on an insect, there is a good 

 chance that it will l)e carried to another tree before it leaves 

 Its host. Winds ])robably aid somewhat in the dissemination 

 of tile pest, and it is undoubtedly carried on infested trees 

 ship|jed to distant parts of the couiUrv. 



Natural enemies. One would liartlly suppose that a mouth- 

 ful of wax would l)e very palatable, yet Dr Howard states that 

 he has often observed English sparrows apparently feeding on 

 this insect. This prolific species is preyed on by a number of 

 beneficial insects. The twice stabbed ladybeetle, C h i 1 o c o- 

 rus l)ivulnerus Muls., is one of the more common insects 

 living on tlie pest in Xcw \'ork State, and in some localiti(;s, 

 at least, it appears to be a very efficient check. The i 5-spotted 

 ladybeetle, Anatis o eel lata Linn., Hype rasp is signata Oliv., 

 and H. bigeminata Kand are allies of the al)ove named in checking 

 this pest. The interesting Lejjidojjterous enemy, Laetilia coccidi- 

 vora Comst., was reared l)y I'rof. J. 11. Comstock from this scale insect. 

 The caterpillars of this very interesting form flourish on the scale infested 

 twigs, webbing its hosts together ami working its way through the masses 

 from one scale to another. Thus one caterpillar destro\s many scale 

 insects. I)r Howard is of the oiiinion tliat this insect alone causetl the tlis- 



sccrctc egg sac in 

 the spring. (After 

 H..»i>rd. U. S. 

 Ucp-lAgric. Uiv. 

 Em. liul.aj, n.s. 



