250 



INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 



Distribution. —Serica altcrnata, S. fimbria t a and 8. mixta are com- 

 mon in the southern part of the State, while the latter is also abundant 



in the central part, especially 

 in the valleys. The manzanita 

 Serica, 8. anthracina, is con- 

 fined almost entirely to the 

 Sierra foothills and higher 

 altitudes. 



Food Plants. — The foliage 

 of m any cultivated orna- 

 mental and fruit trees are at- 

 tacked, including apple, apri- 

 cot, plum 7 prune, etc. The 

 manzanita Serica normally 

 feeds upon manzanita and 

 black oak. 



Control. — Control measures 

 are very difficult and usually 

 too expensive for the com- 

 mercial orchardists. Poison 

 sprays, applied as soon as the 



Fig. 239. — The manzanita Serica, Serica anth- damage is noticed will give 

 rocino Lee. Adults and their work on manzanita, ,. „ 



which looks very much like their work on fruit temporary reiiei. 

 trees. Natural size. Specimens collected at Red- 

 ding by Leroy Childs. (Original) 



