INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 117 



females are dirty-gray, elongate-oval in shape, and have six-jointed 

 antennas, two long anal hairs and three stout anal spines. 



Distribution. — This species is common throughout the central part 

 of the State, but also occurs in the southern part, 72 and is quite widely 

 distributed throughout the United States. 



Food Plants. — The black oak (Quercus kelloggii) is the preferred 

 host plant in California, but several other species of oak, including 

 Quercus emoryi, 13 are reported in other states. 



THE BLACK-PUNCTURED KERMES 

 Kermes nigropunctatus Ehrhorn & Cockerel! 



(Fig. 97) 



Description.— The mature females 

 are pale yellow, nearly globular 

 and decidedly gibbose. There are 

 three prominent transverse and 

 one well defined median longitudi- 

 nal sutures, all of which are usu- 

 ally paler than the rest of the body. 

 The length averages ^ inch, the 

 width A inch, and the height ^ inch. 

 The young females are pink, oval 

 and one third as wide as long. 

 This species is very near to K. essigii 

 King, but appears to be smaller 

 and usually much more gibbose. 



Distribution. — The black-punc- 

 tured kermes has been recorded only 

 from Los Angeles County, but 

 probably occurs in other localities 

 of southern California. 



Food Plant The eoast live oak Fi S- 9T - — The black-punctured Ker- 



IWU ridUI " V ie V° d!5L me °. mes. Kermes nigropunctatus Ehrh. & 



(QuerCUS agrifolta) IS the native Ckll., on coast live oak. Natural size. 



_ j i j j (. j i Collected in Los Angeles County by Le- 



and only recorded food plant. roy cniids. (Original) 



THE WESTERN KERMES 



Kermes occidentalis King 

 (Fig. 94a) 



Description. — The fully-matured females are nearly globular in 

 outline and gray in color. On the dorsum there are five transverse 

 narrow blackish bands, which are broken at intervals by large black 

 spots. The areas between the bands are light brown. The surface 

 is dull and covered with very minute black specks. The diameter is 

 about f inch. 



Distribution. — This scale was first taken in California by Mr. E. M. 

 Ehrhorn, but the exact location was not given. 



Food Plant.— It feeds on the limbs of oak (Quercus sp.). 



™Kermes austini Ehrh.. reported from Escondido, San Diego County, is now con- 

 sidered by Mr. Geo. B. King as a synonym of K. galliformis. 

 "King, Geo. B. : Psyche., IX, p. 79, July, 1900. 



