The magnolia scale. Neolecanium cornuparvum (Thro), is probably native to 
North America. The species occurs in at least 15 Eastern States from New York to 
Florida and west to Wisconsin. This scale is restricted to species of magnolia and is 
found in natural habitats and ornamental plantings (fig. 31). Newly mature adult 
females are covered with a white bloom that is rapidly lost with age. Older females 
are brown or yellow, are convex, and are very large, attaining a length of 12 mm. 
ce 
Ex 
Courtesy Conn. Agric. Exp. Stn. 
Figure 31.—The magnolia scale, Neo/ecanium 
cornuparvum, on magnolia. 
The magnolia scale has one generation per year in New York, Connecticut, and 
Virginia, and overwinters as first instars on I- or 2-year-old growth. First instars 
begin developing in early spring and after at least two molts become adult females 
in early August. First instars are born as nymphs in late summer and fall. Heavy 
infestations of the magnolia scale can kill branches or entire trees. Large amounts of 
honeydew may cover the host. The only natural enemy reported for this scale insect 
is a lady beetle. 
The European fruit lecanium, Parthenolecanium (= Lecanium) corni 
(Bouché), is acommon cosmopolitan pest. Contrary to general opinion, this pest 1s 
apparently indigenous to North America, not Europe (426). The European fruit 
lecanium occurs throughout the United States on many hosts in both natural and 
ornamental habitats. Proper identification of the species is difficult because its 
morphology is greatly influenced by the host (363). Until biological studies are 
undertaken, it is impossible to sort out host-induced variations from differences 
characterizing separate species. The oak lecanium, P. (= Lecanium) quercifex 
(Fitch), and the Fletcher scale, P. (= Lecanium) fletcheri (Cockerell), are fre- 
quently impossible to separate from P. corni on the basis of microscopic features. P. 
quercifex is reported from oaks and P. fletcheri from juniper, northern white-cedar, 
and yew. The color patterns and body shape of the European fruit lecanium vary 
according to the host. Newly formed adult females are flattened and have a mottled 
appearance, but as they mature they become more hemispherical and turn a uniform 
brown. 
The European fruit lecanium normally has one generation per year and overwin- 
ters as second instars. A rapid second generation has been recorded for a few 
populations on some hosts (/92). In Pennsylvania a second generation has been 
96 
