BOME DESTRUCTIVE SCALE INSECTS OF NEW YORK 



271 



quince, Pyrus japonica, in "Washington Park, Albany, — large plots 

 of which were being killed by it. - 



The Pine-leaf Scale-insect 



This is another white scale which is quite conspicuous on the 

 leaves of the pine and the spruce on which it occurs. It attacks 

 mainly transplanted trees, and had not been seen by Dr. Fitch, 

 when described by him, on those growing spontaneously in the 

 Forests. The foliage of a large number of Austrian pines (Pinus 

 Austriaca) growing in "Washington Park, in Albany, a few years 

 ago, was so thickly covered with the scales that it was literally 

 whitened with their myriads. Hundreds could be counted on a 

 single leaf. Nearly all of the infested trees were taken up and 

 burned. Large numbers of the scales were eaten into and destroyed 

 by a little lady-bug, — " the twice-stabbed lady-bird," — and to the 

 abundant presence of this scale-eating insect, may be owing the fact 

 that in late years the scale has been far less destructive (see Fifth 

 Report Insects of New York, 1889, page 266). 



The scale is represented in Fig. 1 of Plate II, in natural size 

 upon the leaves, and much enlarged, beneath. They are of an 

 elongate oval form, of a pure white color with a waxy lustre, and 

 with the conspicuous yellow cast skins resting on the smaller end. 

 Dr. Fitch, in his Second Report, 1856, has devoted a half-dozen 

 pages to the insect and its lady-bug destroyer. 



The White Scale 



A troublesome scale frequently infests conservatories and house 

 plants, which may be recognized from the representation of infested 

 leaves and the magnified scales shown in Fig. 2 of Plate II. 



The scales are white and are sometimes so abundant as to give a 

 whitewashed appearance to the trunks of the trees that they infest. 

 It is known, in science, as Asjpidiotus nerii Bouche. Its specific 

 name of nerii is drawn from the botanical name of the oleander, 

 Nerium, which is one of its favorite food-plants. Ivy, when grown 

 within doors, is quite subject to its attack, and is liable to be killed 

 by it unless care is taken to prevent the multiplication of the scale. 

 Professor Comstock reports having studied the species on the 

 following named plants: Acacia, magnolia, oleander, maple, 



