Insects, etc., Injurious to the Fig. 259 



and less dilated at the posterior extremity. It is about -^^^ i^ich in 

 length. 



THE LONG BLACK SCALE. 



(Ischnasjns Jiliformis. Douglas.) 



This very marked scale insect now and again may be found on 

 figs under glass. It can at once be told by its length and narrowness, 

 many of the female scales are nearly i inch long. In colour the 

 scale is shiny black with grey edges, an orange spot at one end (the 

 larval exuvium) ; as a rule they are about eight times as long as 

 broad ; beneath the scale is white, a nearly complete ventral scale 

 being present. The adult female in the scale chamber is elongate 

 and yellow. The male scale is small and much shorter than the 

 female. The male insect is unknown. Its scale is only ^Vr ^^ch. 

 long. 



This Coccid I have found twice on figs, and Newstead (2) records 

 it on ficus in Ireland. Many plants are subject to its attack, 

 including palms, Anthurium, Strj/chnos, Myridica, Latania, Magnolia, 

 Jasminum, Monstcra, and on coffee at Lagos. 



It occurs in the open in Brazil, Japan, Demerara, West Indies 

 and Panama. It is said to be particularly difficult to destroy, and 

 thus should be stringently guarded against. 



Treatment of Fig Scales. 



The Soft Brown Scales and the others mentioned may do a lot of 

 harm if allowed to spread. It is important to clear them off the 

 wood at once, and so stop them from getting on to the foliage 

 and fruit. 



The best treatment is hand-sponging with dilute emulsion when 

 the leaves are off, followed later by a good syringing with plain 

 water ; and when the Soft Brown Scale is the culprit the addition 

 of quassia, as it cleans off the smut fungus, etc., which follow after 

 the insect. 



References. 



(1) Morgan, A. C. F. Ento. Mo. Mag., p. 230 (1890). 



(2) Newstead, B. ' Mono. British Coccidie,' I., p. 212 (1900). 



