324 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



tunity for learning of the distribution of this species. The original infes- 

 tation was probably in an orchard in Geneva propagated from cuttings im- 

 ported some 30 years ago. All other places in the state, so far as was 

 ascertained by Mr Atwood, had received buds or cuttings from this or- 

 chard. So it seems most probable that this insect has been establislied 

 in the state about 30 years. 



A European pest. This species is stated by Dr Marlatt to be a 

 well-known pest on various fruit trees in Europe. He is of the opinion 

 that, were it as actively exploited in this country as has been its close 

 relative, the pernicious or San Jose scale, it would assume a similar im- 

 portance. It is undoubtedly a species which should be carefully watched, 

 but its behavior in the state of New York up to the present does not 

 justify the expectation that it will ever in this latitude rank in import- 

 ance with the closely allied Aspidiotus perniciosus. Mr At- 

 wood in a letter dated Ap. 4, 1899, states that in no case was serious in- 

 jury evident. I have received some pieces of bark pretty badly infested 

 with this species, but the average shows fewer insects than is the 

 case with trees infested with the pernicious scale insect. This form 

 seems to be more injurious in Pennsylvania, as some nursery stock badly 

 infested with this species has been recei-'cd from there. 



Description. The general appearance of this species is similar to 

 that of the pernicious, or San Jose scale. The white stage is shown in 

 figure I. A quite characteristic appearance of the young of this species 

 is shown natural size in figure 2 and enlarged in figure 3. The sides of 

 the scale are dark gray, while the center which is nearly white, may be 

 grayish or brown. The young appear to have quite a habit of arranging 

 themselves at nearly equal distances from one another. The white or 

 brown portion of the adult scale may break away and expose the yellowish 

 cast skin or exuviae, as is shown in figures 4 and 5. A number of scales 

 are represented natural size in figure 6 and a portion enlarged 

 in figure 7. Some of the young are always found among a mass of old 

 scales, and, when they are white, the gray of the old scales is lightened 

 considerably. Sometimes masses of this scale insect are a dark gray, and ^ 

 then the young are usually grayish or brownish. The individual adult 

 female scale may attain a diameter of nearly -^ inch. It has a yellowish or 

 orange nipple a little to one side of the center, and the gray part of the 

 scale is normally marked with black specks (see fig. 9), and, when on a 

 rough tree, the edge of the scale is usually continuous with the outer 

 layer of the bark. The male scale (fig. 8) is somewhat oval in outline. 



