INSECTS 



195 



close up when blighted with rust. Carbon and oxy- 

 gen compose eighty-seven per cent of plant food, 

 and these chemicals being absorbed mainly from 

 the air through leaves their loss results in the rapid 

 decline of the tree. 



scale. 

 (Chermes caricse.) 



A large scale, about one-third of an inch long by 

 nearly that width, has attacked fig trees east of the 

 Mississippi River, injuring the foliage and result- 

 ing in dwarfed growth and stunted trees. It is 

 easily distinguished by an oval shape and ash 

 brown color. In May the young become active and 

 spread over leaves and branches, where they work 

 until late in August, then going dormant again. 

 The lime sulphur wash has been applied with suc- 

 cess. 



FIG BORER. 



(Ptychodes trivittatus.) 



This insect is flat headed, about one and a third 

 inches long, light brown with white stripes, one on 

 each side of the body and one down its back, with 

 wings, two long antennas, a flesh colored mouth and 

 six legs. It has the power to penetrate live bark 

 with its horny mandibles, but rarely attacks a 

 healthy, vigorous tree. Stunted or frosted ones 

 are chosen and the beetle greatly hastens their de- 

 struction. Affected limbs should be pruned off, 



