[137] Report of the State Entomologist. 279 



convex spots, varying- in size from almost microscopic to nearly as large 

 as the head of a common pin. Examined under a lens, their peculiar 

 elevated centers show them to be a species of scale-insect, known as 

 Aspidiotus nerii Bouche [represented in the accompanying figure]. 

 It is quite a common species upon the oleander, from which its specific 

 name has been taken. Prof. Comstock in his notice of it — Second 

 Report in the Department of Entomology of the Cornell University Experi- 

 ment Station, 1883, states that it is generally distributed throughout 

 the United States, and occurs upon the cherry, plum, currant, English 

 ivy, maple, upon lemons from the Mediterranean, etc. These scale- 

 insects are very injurious to the ivy when they attack it, for multiply- 

 ; ng rapidly, their immense number make such a draft upon the juices 

 of the plant that it can not long withstand the drain. On the first 

 notice of the scales, their spread should be checked, if possible. If the 

 plant is small, each leaf should be separately treated, by scraping the 

 scales from them, or washing them with a strong soap solution, or a 

 kerosene emulsion. 



To larger plants the application would have to be made by 

 sprinkling or by spraying with a force-pump. 



By far the best time to attack the insect is when the young are 

 first hatched and have crept out from beneath the sheltering scales. 

 From their minuteness this could only be ascertained by the aid of a 

 magnifying glass, under which they would appear as small dots 

 slowly moving over the surface of the leaf. At this stage they could 

 be killed by a solution of one pound of soap (strong rosin soap) in 

 two gallons of water. 



If not convenient to wait and watch for this phase of the insects' 

 life, they may be killed at any time while in the egg stage beneath 

 the scales by a kerosene and soap emulsion prepared as follows: 



Dissolve one pound of rosin soap, in one quart of boiling water; 

 add gradually one quart of kerosene, with constant stirring, until 

 emulsified. The result will be a gelatinous compound consisting of 

 fifty per cent of kerosene. This emulsion diluted, when used, with 

 two gallons of water, would give a solution containing ten per cent of 

 kerosene, which, if properly distributed so as to reach all of the 

 scales, should be of sufficient strength to destroy the eggs without 

 injury to the plant. [This formula is nearly the same as that given 

 on page 262.] 



The season at which the young insects hatch upon in-door plants 

 cepends upon the temperature of the room, but would ordinarily be 

 during the latter part of winter. 



