INSECT ENEMIES OF WESTERN FORESTS 



63 



Figure 26. — The pine-needle scale {Phenacaspis pinifoliae) 



The pine needle scale (Phenacaspis pinifoliae (Fitch) ) (fig. 26) 

 is probably the scale most commonly found on the foliage of west- 

 ern conifers. It occurs throughout the United States and Canada. 

 In the West it attacks all species of pine and sometimes Douglas- 

 fir, spruce, and cedar. Small trees, saplings, and poles, especially 

 along dusty roads, are often so heavily infested that the foliage 

 appears white. In some places trees have been killed by the attack. 

 The mature scales are small, nearly pure white, elongated, and 

 about y 8 inch long. Eggs are laid in the fall and overwinter under 

 the female scale. These hatch late in the spring, and the new scales 

 become full grown by midsummer. An oil and nicotine spray will 

 control this species if applied late in the spring, when the eggs are 

 hatching. 



The black pine leaf scale (Nuculaspis calif ornica (Coleman) ) is 

 often associated with the pine-needle scale in its attack on various 

 pines. It is reported to occur on Douglas-fir and hemlock and may 



