THE RED SCALE 



(Chrysomphaliis aurantii Mask) 



A. J. COOK. 



If we except the water problem, and possibly that of fertilizers and culti- 

 vation, no question more concerns the growers of citrus fruits than that of 

 scale insects. Success demands their control and that often involves great 

 expense. At present, there are four or five of these insects that are seriously 

 destructive in Southern California : the yellow scale, the black scale, the purple 

 scale, the mealy bug and the red scale. So blighting is the work of these 

 insects, and so difficult and expensive their control that it is exceedingly import- 

 ant to eradicate them, if possible, when localized, and to quarantine rigorously 

 against them, when absent. All scale pests, when numerous, are very harmful 

 to the plants on which they feed. The red scale is perhaps the most to be 

 dreaded, as from the great variety of its food plants, it becomes very difficult 

 and expensive to successfully fight it. Its enemies have not in the past been 

 able to hold it in check, or prevent its spread. We are fortunate, in our 

 immediate locality, Claremont, in that we do not number this red scale among 

 the obstacles to success. It is, however, close to us on three sides. If we 

 are wise, we will not only keep it out, but will insist that the few colonies, 

 known to be near us, be fought to the death. Right action in this matter means 

 a tremendous saving to our citrus fruit growers. (Figure 11.) 



FAMILY OF SCALE INSECTS COCCIDAE. 



A word about this family of insects that includes the scale insects and 

 the mealy bugs is desirable. The females are always wingless, though both 

 sexes are scale-like in form at first, while the mature male is always possessed 

 of two wings. Like the Aphids, or plant lice, and the Aleyrodids or white 

 flies, they belong to the Homopterous division of the true bugs or Hemiptera. 

 In this sub-order the wings are much alike, and all are quite similar from 

 end to end. All insects in this order are pre-eminent for their sucking habits. 

 Their rostrum or beak is made up of needle-like mouth-parts and modified 

 specially for piercing and sucking. 



SUB-FAMILIES OF COCCIDAE. 



There are several sub-families of coccids, three of which greatly interest 

 our orchardists. The females of Dactolypinae or mealy bugs preserve the form 



