236 FOREST ENTOMOLOGY. 



On moving the white covering about midsummer, the insects may 

 be found in all their respective stages. 



The adult female is of a sulphur-yellow colour, about half a line, 

 or gV of an inch, in length, convex above and below. The creature is 

 both wingless and legless, and has, therefore, no power of locomotion. 

 The mouth-organs are placed on the under side of the body, and are 

 composed of long hair- like appendages, forming mouth or sucking- 

 tube and anchorage. She covers her body with the white waxy 

 secretion, which is impervious to rain, and here she lives, lays her 

 eggs, and dies. 



The larvae, in shape and appearance, very much resemble other 

 coccid larva?, being active and yellow in colour. The eyes are rather 

 conspicuous, and of a purplish colour. The antennas are five-jointed, 

 and terminated by a forked bristle. The legs are short and stout. 



As a rule, they are found under the living or dead bodies of their 

 parents or in the same felted mass, for the larvae also secrete a white 

 waxy covering, thus adding to the white materials, and also aiding in 

 the destruction of the tree. Occasionally the larvae move to the fresh 

 portions of the bark, secrete a covering over their bodies, and thus 

 spread the injuries over the trunk. 



The eggs are also of a lemon-yelloAV colour, and comparatively large 

 for the size of the insect. 



As regards the life-history of this insect, it may be said that much 

 may yet be done by the inquiring and observant student, inasmuch as 

 eggs, larvae, living and dead female, may at various periods of the year 

 be found all huddled together. However, it is possible that the 

 majority of the eggs are deposited in July, and that some hatch out 

 in the autumn months and pass the winter as active larvae, whereas the 

 majority hatch out in spring and soon after evolve into fully developed 

 females. 



At various seasons of the year I have often found very active 

 specimens of acari amongst the insects. 



Considering the alarming spread of this pest, preventive and remedial 

 measures ought to be taken in order to save many specimen trees in 

 pleasure-grounds, parks, the neighbourhood of villages, and forests 

 generally. 



Some years ago, as a remedy, I tried a solution which proved very 

 successful. To make it, take about half a gallon of soft water, boil, 

 and dissolve about 1 lb. of soft soap and about 1 lb. of common soap ; 



