SMALL EKMINE MOTH ; MUSSEL SCALE. 



297 



Motli attack would be as serviceable for that of the Small 

 Ermines, and in both cases good drenchings of soft-soap, 

 mixed as thickly as it could be applied (with a little paraffin 

 added), well syringed at each web-nest, would have a very 

 good effect. 



It has been observed that the whole brood of moths usually 

 hatch from the chrysalis at the same time, when their light 

 colour makes them easily seen, and they are sluggish by day; 

 it has therefore been found useful to spread a sheet under the 

 trees, and by beating or shaking the boughs make the moths 

 fall into the sheet, and destroy them. 



Mussel Scale. 



Mijtilaspis pomoriwi, Bouche ; Aapidiotiis concJdfoniiis, Curtis. 



Infested Apple twig. Female Scales showing female and eggs ; and also female 

 shrivelled within the Scale ; much magnified. 



The Mussel Scales are so named, in this country, from their 

 resemblance to very small Mussel shells. 



The infestation is very widely distributed. It is found in 

 Europe, N. America, New Zealand, and Tasmania, but up to 

 1886 was reported by Mr. Frazer Crawford officially as not 

 having then been noticed in S. Australia. The Coccus infests 

 many kinds of trees and shrubs, but with us it is especially 

 injurious to the Apple. 



Some kinds are more liable to attack than others, and in 

 my own observations I have found the Wellington especially 

 subject to this infestation. The injury is caused by the little 

 Cocci in the early part of their lives inserting their rostrum or 

 proboscis into the tender bark, or shoots, and thus sucking 

 away the juices, and also doing harm to the tissues. 



These " Scales " are not the true insect itself, but are shields 

 or imparia composed partly of fibrous secretion, partly of the 

 thrown-off insect skins, and differ slightly in the male and 

 female form. 



