ENTOMOLOGY 279 



with semi-transparent spots. The lower surface of the wings is a 

 much lighter brown. The larva or caterpillar is semi-transparent, 

 pale green with a dark, orange head. The pupa is pale green and 

 semi-transparent also. 



This insect is largely confined to the semi-tropical parts of the 

 United States, and is first seen there about May. The caterpillars 

 roll up the edges of a canna leaf and feed from the case so formed. 

 Hand picking is the best remedy as the cases are very conspicuous. 

 Any arsenical spray will control this pest. (Bui. 54, U. S. D. A. 

 B. E.) 



White Grubs in an Aster Field. The common white grubs are 

 the larvae of the May beetle. They feed underground for nearly 

 three years, eating the roots of a large variety of plants. Where 

 they are allowed to remain undisturbed for years as in grass land or 

 where nursery stock is growing they may become numerous and 

 will be very liable to injure the first crop planted after their old 

 source of supply is removed. Such was the case with a field of 

 20,000 asters grown after nursery stock near Geneva, in which more 

 than 10 per cent, of the plants were ruined by the grubs. The 

 injury began to show in the latter part of July, in the wilting of 

 the plants. On pulling these up, from one to four or more of the 

 grubs would be found feeding at the roots. The plants were pulled 

 up and the grubs destroyed, which was about all that it was pos- 

 sible to do. It is very difficult to check the insects after a field has 

 become infested. Prevention is by far the most satisfactory. Short 

 rotations of crops keep the land broken up and tend to restrict the 

 numbers of the grubs, while meadows or pastures are very liable to 

 become badly infested. (Bui. 212 Pop. Ed. N. Y. Agr. Exp. Sta.). 



INSECTS AFFECTING SHADE TREES AND ORNA- 

 MENTALS. 



SCALE INSECTS. 



Scale insects are among the most formidable of the pests from 

 which the shade trees must be protected. On account of small size 

 and protective coloration they frequently escape detection by the 

 untrained eye until they have secured such a strong foothold that the 

 host is permanently injured. Further, in addition to the advan- 

 tage they possess by reason of the insidious nature of their attack, 

 some are extremely resistant to remedial measures, among these 

 being some of our most common species, such as oyster shell bark- 

 louse, terrapin scale of the maple, etc. 



The majority of the species remain fixed after the scale cover- 

 ing is formed. The spreading is effected by the young as they 

 crawl about seeking a suitable place to begin feeding; as they are 

 carried short distances by spider webs or winds; or possibly longer 

 distances upon the feet and feathers of birds. This motile period 

 in the history is of short duration, usually not longer than two or 

 three days. 



Insects of this order obtain their food by inferting their sharp, 

 hair-like beaks into the tissues of the plant and drawing out the 



