132 MAINE .STATE COLLEGE 



Fairfield, Me., Sept. 12, 1890. 



F. L. IIakvkv : 



Sir — I can find do more of the worms like those you already 

 have, but I send a specimen which I have lately discovered on a 

 tree which came from Homer X. Chase, Geneva. N. Y. Will 

 write you more at length about them .soon. 



W. J. HlGGIHS. 



The specimens accompany the above letters were the '""Woolly- 

 louse of the Apple," and as this is quite an injurious insect we 

 consider it at length and illustrate it. 



Two forms of this insect aie recognized by entomologists. 

 One known as the Apple-root Plant-louse which attacks the roots. 

 producing wart-like excresences or swellings. The other form 

 known as the "Wooly-louse of the apple was the one we received. 

 It feeds upon the sap of the trunk aDd branches. They are 

 regarded as the same species living under different conditions. 

 We do not know which was the original form and which the vari- 

 ety, whether it was a northern species feeding upon the trunk 

 and branches and adapted itself to a southern life by seeking a 

 habitat on the roots, or whether it is naturally a root species 

 seeking the trunk and branches in a cool, moist, northern climate. 

 Its more frequent occurrence on the roots would suggest the lat- 

 ter. The above ground form occurs most abundantly in this 

 country in!New England. This insect is more common in Europe 

 and Australia than in America, where it is more destructive, and 

 is called the "American Blight." Entomologists differ in their 

 opinions regarding its nativity, some accredit it to America, most 

 are inclined to think it originated in Europe. It would not be 

 much honor to either country to produce such a pest. 



This insect in the root form was noticed in this country as 

 early as 1848, when thousands of trees were fouud so badly 

 infested that they had to be destroyed. Since then the insect has 

 been reported as doing more or less damage in every section of 

 the countrv. The above letters indicate that this pest was dis- 

 tributed upon nursery stock, and gives us another opportunity to 

 reiterate the importance of carefully examining nursery stock 

 before setting it. 



DeSCKTPTIOH AND HABITS. 



Eggs — Minute, requiring a magnifying glass to see them. They 

 are laid in the crevices of the bark at or near the surface of the 

 ground. 



