NEW YORK STATE ML'SEUM 



matter in which the eggs are deposited. The females are very noticeable 

 about Albany in Jul\- when present in numbers. 



Food plants. This pest, as is well known, is most destructive in New 

 York State to the soft or silver maple,, though it attacks many other plants, 

 such as sugar and Norway maples, elms and grapevines. The above named 

 are the more important trees and vines injured by this scale insect. 



Method of distribution. The young of this species are carried from 

 tree to tree in aliout the same manner as allied forms. Birds, other insects 

 and even spiders frequenting infested trees are often compelled 

 to assist in the distribution of this pest by the active young 

 crawling on them as they rest on the twigs. Once a young 

 scale is on a bird's foot or on an insect, there is a good 

 chance that it will be carried to another tree before it leaves 

 its host. Winds probably aid somewhat in the dissemination 

 of the pest, and it is undoubtedly carried on infested trees 

 shipped to distant parts of the country. 



Natural enemies. One would hardly suppose that a mouth- 

 ful of Avax would be very palatable, yet Dr Howard states that 

 he has often observed English sparrows apparently feeding on 

 this insect. This prolific species is preyed on by a number of 

 beneficial insects. The twice stabbed ladybeetle, C h i 1 o c o- 

 r u s b i V u 1 n e r u s Muls., is one of the more common insects 

 living on the pest in New York State, and in some localities, 

 at least, it appears to be a very efficient check. The i 5-spotted 

 ladybeetle. An at is o eel lata Linn., Hyperaspis si gnat a Oliv., 

 and H. bigeminata Rand are allies of the above named in checking 

 this pest. The interesting Lepidopterous enemy, Laetilia cocci di- 

 vora Comst., was reared by Prof. J. H. Comstock from this scale insect. 

 The caterpillars of this very interesting form flourish on the scale infested 

 twigs, webbing its hosts together and working its way through the masses 

 from one scale to another. Thus one caterpillar destroys many scale 

 insects. Dr Howard is of the opinion that this insect alone caused the dis- 



FiK. 31 PuU 



abilis: gravid 

 female, greatly 

 enlarged, bef.ire 

 commencing lo 



the spring. (After 

 Howard. U. S. 

 Dep'tAgric. Div. 

 Ent. Bui. 22, n. s. 



1 000) 



