258 PINE-LEAF SCALE — ITS ENEMIES. 



another, half the size of the preceding, this third segment being 

 subhyaline, yellowish, and obtusely striated transversely. Be- 

 neath, this scale is white its whole length, without any indica- 

 tions of those divisions which appear upon its upper side. It is 

 the tenth of an inch in length. Specimens but half grown are 

 interspersed with the others, and all the scales on some ©f the 

 leaves are of this small size. These show a raised line or slightly 

 elevated keel along the middle of the white portion. Other 

 specimens still, are merely minute oval dull yellow scales, with 

 out any whiteness at the end. 



The scales which we have now described are the relics of the 

 dead bodies of the female insects, forming a shield for covering 

 and protecting their eggs. At the time the specimens before me 

 were gathered the eggs had not become developed. Consequently 

 on elevating one and another of these scales with the point of a 

 needle, nothing is found beneath them except a small shapeless 

 mass of dried black matter, the remains of the viscera of the 

 insect. But at any time during the winter season, the little 

 cavity under these scales will undoubtedly be found filled with 

 minute round eggs. And the transformations of this species 

 will be similar to those narrated of the Apple bark-louse. 



It is evident that an insect of the pernicious character of the 

 one under consideration, when so abundant as this appears to 

 have been upon the pines from which the specimens before me 

 were gathered, would soon cause the leaves to perish and the 

 trees to die, if permitted to proceed unchecked in its career. 

 But, fortunately, nature has in this as in most other analogous 

 instances, provided means for restraining these creatures from 

 becoming unduly numerous. A minute worm which feeds upon 

 the eggs of the Apple bark-louse was noticed in our account of 

 that species. Another insect, a species of Lady-bird, or Cocci- 

 nella, common throughout the United States , devours both the 

 Apple bark-lice and those of this species. I have repeatedly met 

 with this Coccinella upon apple trees, but had not ascertained 

 which particular kind of vermin it was in pursuit of upon those 

 trees. For authentic information upon this interesting topic we 

 are indebted to Mr.Kennicott, who has observed the larvae 

 this lady-bird preying with tiger-like ferocity upon the Apple 



