118 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



SASSCER'S KERMES 

 Kermes sassoeri King 



(Fig. 98) 



Description.— The fully developed females are slightly longer than 

 wide and vary from nearly white to light yelknv. There is a promi- 

 nent transverse median line which is dark 

 brown and black and crossed with broken. 

 transverse bands of the same color. There 

 are also a few black spots as large as a pin 

 bead and many minute black specks on the 

 K^mes 8 s'^H e mrS eTr En- surfaee, all of which make some specimens 

 larged three times. (After appear finite dark. The young females are 



King. Photo by author. P. 1 * . , j J & 



c. Jr. Ent. and Zooi.) grayish-brown. 



Distribution. — Though present in California, the exact locations are 

 not given. It also occurs in the Eastern States. 



Food Plants. — The red oak, Quercus rubra, is attacked in the East. 

 The species of oak in California is not recorded. 



THE COTTONY KERMES 



Kermes shastensis Ehrhorn 

 (Fig. 99) 



Description. — The female bodies 

 are very nearly globular and rich 

 mahogany-brown with three rather 

 distinct dark-brown transverse 

 lines across the surface, which is 

 smooth and shiny. They are en- 

 tirely enclosed in a rather thick 

 white felt-like covering which 

 gives them the appearance of round 

 balls of cotton on the twigs. The 

 diameter averages about £ inch. 

 The white waxy covering is from 

 ih to iV inch thick. In the young 

 the antenna? are six-jointed and the 

 legs short with the femora almost as 

 broad as long. The immature 

 females are light yellow. 



Distribution.— This species occurs 

 in the northern part of the State, 

 having been collected at Shasta 

 Springs. 



Food Plant. — The maul oak 

 (Quercus chrysolepis) is the only 

 recorded food plant of this species. 



Fig. 99. — The cottony Kermes, 

 Kermes shastensis Ehrhorn, on oak. 

 The cottony covering has been par- 

 tially or entirely removed. Slightly 

 enlarged. (Original) 



