103 



ARTICLE VI.~ON SOME INSECT ENEMIES OF THE 

 SOFT MAPLE {ACER DASYCABPUM). 



1. Notes and Experiments on the Soft Maple Bark Louse. 



(Puli'lnarla innwneralnlis, Batlivon.) 



Order Hemiptera. Family Coccid.t.. 



(Plate XI. Figs. 1 and 2.) 



This annoying and even destructive species, which attracted so 

 general attention four years ago and then suddenly disappeared from 

 view, commenced, last year, to appear again in noticeable numbers 

 on the soft maples throughout Central Illinois, and during the season 

 just passed was excessively abundant throughout the State from at 

 least as far south as Shelby ville to our northern limits. Notwith- 

 standing the length at which it has been treated in former reports 

 from this otiice, and the numerous articles upon it which have ap- 

 peared in the agricultural and political papers during the last few 

 years, great numbers of my correspondents were unacquainted with 

 the name and life history of the species. In fact, fully half the 

 entomological correspondence of this office during the months of 

 June and July related to this bark louse. In the earlier articles 

 upon it in the Eeport, some premature conclusions were reached 

 with respect to its life history, and I do not know that exact ex- 

 periment has heretofore been made with respect to its destruction. 



The females of the preceding year which had wintered upon the 

 twigs of the maples, began to attract general attention early in June, 

 they having by this time attained their full growth and developed 

 the cottony egg masses beneath the scales into which their bodies 

 had become practically converted. By the middle of June it was 

 easy to see that the lice were abundant almost everywhere upon the 

 maple, and they commenced to appear likewise upon a number of 

 other trees and plants. On the 14th, we noticed them upon the pear 

 and box elder at Normal, and on the 16th, upon the grape and wal- 

 nut at Qaincy, and upon the pawpaw, grape, and honey locust, at 

 Normal. 



