U. S. D. A., B. E. Bui. 97, Part VII. D. P. I. I., May 4, 1912. 



PAPERS ON DECIDUOUS FRUIT INSECTS AND INSECTICIDES. 



THE GRAPE SCALE. 



(Aspidiotus [Diaspidiotus] uvx Comst.) 



By James F. Zimmer, 

 Entomological Assistant. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The grape scale, Aspidiotus (Diaspidiotus) uvse Comstock, has been 

 reported as more or less destructive to grapevines during the last three 

 decades. The insect occurs, to a very limited extent, on certain 

 forest and shade trees, though the records do not show serious injury 

 to plants other than the grape. 



Apparently the earliest record of this species is to be found in the 

 notes of the Bureau of Entomology. Under date of November 12, 

 1875, from St. Louis, Mo., Mr. Theodore Pergande forwarded speci- 

 mens of the grape scale to the Entomologist of the Department of 

 Agriculture. This insect was later found at Vevay, Ind., as stated by 

 Prof. F. M. Webster, 1 by Mr. C. G. Boerner, though no date is given. 

 This material was used by Prof. Comstock in the preparation of the 

 original description of the species which appeared in the Report of the 

 Commissioner of Agriculture for the year 1880, pages 309-310. 



DISTRIBUTION AND FOOD PLANTS. 



In addition to the records above cited, the grape scale was received 

 from Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt, Kirkwood, Mo., in 1888, and it was 

 stated that grape canes in that vicinity were very badly infested with 

 the insect. Two years later specimens of the grape scale were received 

 from Prof. F. M. Webster at Lafayette, Ind., with a similar report as 

 to its occurrence. 



In October, 1897, Mr. F. Noack reported the grape scale in vine- 

 yards in the vicinity of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and in January, 1900, the 

 grape scale was reported on sycamore, from Atlanta, Ga., by Mr. 

 W. M. Scott. 



This scale was also found on sycamore by Mr. James G. Sanders, at 

 Columbus, Ohio, in 1902, and was reported from Gentry, Ark., on 

 grape by Mr. E. L. Jenne, of this bureau, in 1900. Many other reports 



1 Scale insects. Indiana Horticultural Society, Report for 1896, p. 16. 



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