24 B.C. ExTOMOi.OGic.vL Society. 



the past summer, these aphides imder observation migrated to young wheat-plants i)i 

 the hitter part of Juue. The remedies recommended are similar to those for the 

 rosy aphis. 



The Apple-aphis {Aiiliis poiiii. L.). 



This commou green ajihis is present in all orchards, and is universally recog- 

 nized by its habit of clustering in great numbers ou the new shoots and under the 

 fresh green leaves of the apple. The shiny black eggs are also common sights to the 

 orchardist during the fall and spring on his apple-trees. The same remedies as 

 before suggested are again of value in controlling this pest, an early application being 

 again necessary. It might be mentioned that the eggs are not amenable to practical 

 treatment. 



The Cherry-aphis (Mysus cerasi, L.). 



This black aphis may be found throughout the summer in the curled leaves of 

 the cherry-tree. The lime-sulphur and Black Leaf 40 spray is again of benefit in 

 the early spring. 



The Oystee-shell Scale (Lcpidosophes uUni, L.). 



This Coceid is very commou on all classes of trees in the Fraser Valley. The 

 moist, humid climate of the immediate coastal region is particularly well suited to 

 its life and reproduction. The scale can be recognized from its well-known shajje. 

 such as its name implies, and is known to all orchardists. lu a general way the 

 scale is not dangerous, as the methods of orchard-culture tend to retain its numbers 

 within reasonable bounds. Branches of trees, however, and, in rare cases, whole 

 trees in neglected orchards or woodlots may be killed by the effects of this scale 

 alone. At certain points in the Fraser Valley wild crab-apple trees may be seen 

 standing dead by the roadside. Undoubtedly the oyster-shell scale and the tent- 

 caterpillar have combined forces to cause their death, but while we do not mourn 

 the loss of these wild crab-trees, yet they stand as examples of what might happen 

 in the orchard if proper precautionary measures are not taken. 



The female scale is about % inch in length, usually dark brown in colour. In 

 th« spring a few may be grey, but this is apparently the result of winter or old age. 

 The male scale resembles that of the female in shape and colour, but is considerably 

 smaller. Eggs are laid in the fall under the scale of the female, and if one of these 

 scales be removed during winter, numerous small white eggs (from 40 to 100) will 

 be noticed. 



In the spring these eggs hatch, producing some very miuute yellowish insects 

 which are comparatively active soon after batching. In time each individual will 

 settle down, insert its beak into the plant and commence to suck the sap. At this 

 time the insect is free of any covering or " scale." However, as it grows and molts 

 a waxy excretion covers the body, forming gradually the characteristic " oyster-shell 

 scale." The female scale remains at the one point throughout her life and becomes 

 full grown in from two to three months. The male scales continue their stationary 

 feeding until full grown, when they develop two very minute and delicate wings, 

 fertilize the female, and die. The female insect then, iu turn, produces eggs under 

 her scale and dies, and the eggs pass the winter as such, awaiting spring before they 

 hatch. Thus the scale is single-brooded and only capable of producing up to 100 

 individuals per individual during the season. 



As regards remedies, it has been found that the lime-sulphur spray has little 

 effect on the eggs during winter, except perhaps a number of old scales and eggs 

 may be loosened and washed from the tree, but is very efficient against the .young 

 insects hatching iu the spring. Watch should be kept to determine when this hatch- 

 ing takes place, but as a rule it occurs after blossoming. In the Lower Fraser Valley 

 apples begin to bloom the last days of April, and they bloom for a month ; conse- 

 quently one might spray summer-strength lime-sulphur the second week of May or 

 thereabouts. As a general rule, it will rot be necessary to spray every year for this 



