400 [ THE PISTACHIO-NUT TREE 



on the mastich-tree (Pistacia Lentiscus) in the shape 

 of reddish follicles along the margin of the leaf. It is 

 common everywhere in our valleys, but never attacks the 

 foliage of other species of Pistacia. 



The two scale insects Lecamum Oleae Lin. and 

 Aspidiotus Lentisci Sgnr. are frequent on the three 

 species of Pistacia above mentioned, but the terebinth 

 and the pistachio-tree being leafless in winter are 

 not liable to suffer much from the black scale, and 

 Aspidiotus Lentisci which is probably a form of Aspi- 

 diotus Hederae^ may be troublesome only in close and 

 badly ventilated localities. 



The larva of the small moth Ephestia etutella Hbn. 

 is a frequent cause of trouble in Sicily, eating into the 

 kernel of the pistachio nut. 1 he egg is deposited in 

 June or July, and the larva penetrates into the 

 kernel, and continues its development within the dry 

 fruit in the store room, becomes a chrysalis in December 

 and hybernates within the nut until June, when it 

 comes out a winged insect ready to renew its cycle 

 of life. 



