﻿344 POMONA COLLEGE JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY 



The inspection whicli was made generally over the County of Ventura, 

 showed this mealy bug on the walnut trees at Ventura, Saticoy, and the entire 

 district around Santa Paula on both sides of the Santa Clara River. It ap- 

 peared in the greatest numbers in a small orchard near Santa Paula, but 

 here it existed in very limited numbers. Apparently it exists only vipon old 

 trees in the older orchards, which might have been set out when much of 

 the surrounding territory was still growing elder trees and the orchards 

 became infested years ago. This would seem to indicate that the insect is 

 slow to breed and not very destructive, or that it is held down by native 

 insects. 



Apple (Pyrus mains). On apple trees badly infested with W^oolly Aphis 

 (Schiaoneura lauigera) were found mealy bugs in considerable numbers as- 

 .sociated with this plant louse. The Woolly Aphis had caused many of the 

 burls or knots on the limbs and suckers, as well as the crown roots of the 

 tree. The new bark which endeavored to heal over these wounds aflforded the 

 desirable conditions for this mealy bug and in every case it was found feeding 

 upon the new bark so exposed. It was especially abundant upon the suckers 

 which were allowed to grow undisturbed at the base of the tree trunk and 

 was found also upon the crown roots of the tree. The apple trees which 

 were worst infested grew in a citrus orchard near the house. An orange 

 tree and several lemon trees were less than 20 feet from the three infected 

 apple trees, and not a single mealy bug could be found on any of the citrus 

 trees. Fearing that they might take to the citrus trees, the owner of the prop- 

 erty promptly grubbed up the apple trees and burned them, thereby eliminating 

 any possible chances of infection. In a number of yards other apple trees 

 were found likewise infested with this insect. 



Pear (Pyrus communis) . Were as generally infested as were the apple 

 trees and in the same manner. 



REMEDIES. 



This mealy bug has not been a pest yet in any locality. In case they 

 infested the walnut trees as badly as the citrus mealy bug infests the citrus 

 trees, it would be almost hopeless to combat it with anything but parasites. 



That it has never become a pest during past years is no positive proof 

 that it will not become so in the future, so it is with care that we are keeping 

 watch of this insect. 



On deciduous fruit trees some active steps have been taken to destroy 

 all infestations, so I may include in this article the most practical means of 

 extermination or eradication of this pest on such trees. It is a fact that 

 such deciduous, or other fruit trees, as are allowed to grow in the yards, around 

 the houses or barns, and in pastures, are more liable to be infested with in- 

 jurious insects than trees in a well cared orchard. If you have such trees 

 it is necessary to either take care of them or to cut them out for your own 

 safety, if you are an orchardist, even though you have a few deciduous trees 

 in a citrus region. If your trees are infested with this mealy bug it may be 

 well to heed these suggestions: 



