39 



Lecaniujis or Soft Scales. 

 These scales are very different in appearance from those already 

 considered, being comparatively soft and easily crushed. More- 

 over, they are quite large as compared with most of the hard or 

 " armored" scales, and when adult are very convex, many having 

 a nearly hemispherical form (Fig. 5). They feed on the juices of 

 many plants, including palms and ferns in greenhouses, and give 

 trouble to fruit growers on plum and other fruit trees, and are 

 often serious pests on maples, oaks, tulip trees, etc. 



Fig. 5. — Peach soft scale: female scales ou twig, natural size; upper side of a scale in 

 upper left corner ; under side of same in lower left corner ; scale cut lengthways in middle 

 of left side; young, and full grown but still crawling scales on right side; all much enlarged 

 except the scales on the twig. (Howard, U. 8. Dept. Agr , Yearbook, 1S94.) 



In many cases nature has established a sort of equilibrium for 

 these insects which, a^ter two or three years of great abundance, 

 are overcome by their foes and are not again abundant enough to 

 be noticed for a number of years. Where treatment seems to be 

 necessary, however, it must be adapted to the particular kind of 

 soft scale concerned, as the best treatment for one species might 

 not prove successful for another. In such a case, therefore, the 

 particular kind to be treated and the best application to use should 

 be learned by sending specimens to the experiment station of the 

 State. 



These scales, like the plant lice, produce a sweetish liquid which 

 falls from their bodies to the leaves, stems and ground, where it 

 dries somewiiat, becoming sticky. Of this " honey dew" ants are 

 very fond, and often visit infested trees in large numbers to feed 

 upon it. It also forms a good place for the growth of a fungus, 

 which turns it black, giving to the leaves and stems it is on a 

 smutty appearance. 



