THE DATE 217 



(Parlatoria blanchardii Targ. Tozz.) remains dormant during 

 the winter but is active in summer, sucking the plant juices 

 from the leaves at the time when growth is most vigorous. 

 The following description of the insect is condensed from 

 T. D. A. Cockerell : To the naked eye the scales appear as 

 small dark gray or black specks, edged with white. If the scale 

 is lifted by means of a pin or the point of a knife, the soft, 

 plump and juicy female, of a rose-pink color, is found under- 

 neath. The male scales, which are rarely seen, are much 

 smaller and narrower than those of the female. About the 

 middle of March the female lays eggs; the larvae hatch a 

 fortnight later, crawl about restlessly for a time, and then 

 settle down for the remainder of their lives. 



The treatment is by dipping the offshoots in a solution of 1 

 gallon of Cresolin, 4 gallons of distillate, and 95 gallons of water. 

 Mature palms may be sprayed with the same mixture. By 

 these methods this scale is eventually eliminated. 



The more dangerous Marlatt scale (Phoenicococcus marlatti 

 Ckll.) is wine-colored, and secretes a white waxy substance. 

 It usually lives at the base of the leaves, "inside" the palm, 

 where it is almost inaccessible, coming out at intervals to molt. 

 It can be destroyed by dipping the offshoots and following this 

 by periodic spraying. 



Date palms in moist regions are often attacked by parasitic 

 fungi, which, however, yield to bordeaux mixture or other 

 standard fungicides. 



In some regions the palm is attacked by a borer (Rhynco- 

 phorus) which, if not destroyed, is fatal to the tree. The only 

 successful treatment seems to be to watch for the intruder and 

 kill it before it has penetrated too far. Locusts, grasshoppers, 

 rats, gophers, ants, bees, wasps, birds, and the like give trouble 

 in various localities. The treatment resorted to against these 

 pests in connection with other cultures will also serve for the 

 date palm orchard. 



