Insect and Disease Control 243 



insect is literally and absolutely applicable ; the scale is merely 

 the hardened skin or outer covering of the insect itself." 



Appearance. 



When fully grown this insect is about -g- inch in diameter, 

 and when viewed from the side its body presents an almost 

 hemispherical outline and is of a brownish color. 



Distribution. 



This insect has been mentioned by entomologists during 

 the past ten or twelve years as occurring in nearly every 

 state east of the 100th meridian. It also has been reported 

 from Ontario. However, in Maryland, New Jersey, and 

 Pennsylvania it has become of pressing economic impor- 

 tance as a peach insect. Many growers in those states 

 regard it as a greater menace to peaches than any other 

 scale insect, not excepting the San Jose scale. 



Life history and habits. 



The life history of the terrapin scale is complicated, but 

 the details are unnecessary in this connection. Smith, cited 

 above, gives the following summary : 



"About the middle or toward the end of May oviposition 

 begins, the eggs remaining under the female, which gradually 

 shrivels until it forms only a grayish cover to the mass of eggs 

 beneath it. The larvffi begin to hatch during the middle or 

 latter part of June and remain active for some days, eventually 

 setting or fixing on the leaves, along the veins of either the upper 

 or lower surface. They are, in this stage, elongate oval, green- 

 ish, flattened creatures, which retain their general form and 

 shape even after they begin feeding and attach themselves to 

 the leaves. Unlike the armored scales, they do not lose their 



