14 



the difEerenee between the sexes becomes apparent. Meanwhile, after 

 all the eggs have been deposited, the adnlt female dies, and at almost 

 any time afterward' a heavy storm may wash off the white masses. 

 On the other hand, when trees have been badly infested, remnants 

 of the tufts remain in sheltered positions for months and make 

 it seem as if the tree was still infested. As a matter of fact, the work 

 of the hibernating forms is done by the middle of June; after that, 

 whatever injury occurs, is caused by the setting young. 



When the first molt has been reached the males, remaining slender, 

 soon attain full size and cover themselves with a thick coating of 

 whitish waxy material. The pupa forms within the larval skin, the 

 parts of the future adult become gradually distinct, and a pair of 

 long, waxy filaments is produced from near the end of the body ; the 

 protrusion of these filaments indicating the approaching appearance 

 of the male. The posterior end of the scale is in this maimer raised 

 up and the perfect insect backs out, with wings held close to the 

 side of its body. During this period the females have grown larger 

 and broader across the posterior region ; but the scales have remained 

 flat, or with only a slight median ridge. Just before the males appear, 

 there is another molt and the color changes to a somewhat deeper 

 yellow with deep red markings. The males mature during August 

 and early September, seek the females and then die. The females 

 gradually lose their bright red markings, change to a deep brown 

 color, become more convex, secrete a thicker coating of wax and the 

 scales become more distinctly ridged. They do not lose the power of 

 motion as do the armored scales, and, before the leaves fall, migrate 

 to the twigs and fix themselves — generally on the upper side. They 

 feed as long as the sap flows, then become torpid and remain in that 

 condition until the following spring, when feeding begins again and 

 with it the development of the eggs. 



Remedial MeasBres. 



When this insects attacks shrubs, vines or the lower parts of trees 

 that are easily accessible, the infested twigs and branches may be 

 trimmed off and destroyed as soon as the cottony masses are noticed. 

 As they usually set close to the tips, this is often possible without 

 mutilating either tree or shrub. Even shade trees of considerable 

 size can be so dealt with when the infestation is not unusually bad. 



