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INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OF CALIFORNIA. 



plants to weaken, become sickly in appearance, and may even kill 

 them completely. 



Distribution. — This species is widely distributed throughout the 

 State, in greenhouses, gardens and parks. 



Fig. 90. — The greenhouse Orthezia, Orthezia insignia Dougl. Young 

 and mature females on Bignonia. Slightly enlarged. Taken at Ventura 

 by S. H. Essig. (Original) 



Food Plants. — The scale is especially troublesome upon greenhouse 

 plants, but often attacks garden and orchard crops, though it has 

 never proven a serious outdoor pest in California. The following 

 hosts are recorded: Ageratum, Bignonia, chrysanthemum, citron, coleus, 

 Guphea, Gardenia, grapefruit, iron-weed, Lantana, lemon, moonflower, 

 orange, pepper, pigweed, sage, strawberry, Strobilanthes, tea, Thun- 

 bergia, tomato, verbena and yarrow. 



Control.— As many delicate plants are attacked by this coccid, con- 

 trol measures are somewhat difficult. Daily syringing the plants 

 so that all parts are thoroughly washed will remove many of the young 

 before they are firmly attached to the leaves. Dipping the plants fre- 

 quently in a solution of tobacco extract will also kill the young. If 

 the infestation is confined to a very small area the complete destruction 

 he infested plants would completely eliminate a general infestation 

 and might be a profitable step. 



