bamboos: their cultuee and uses 39 
Invasion of the fungus has been noted where the wood has been 
bruised or injured by cuts. Attempts to mark the cuhiis in various 
ways so as to determine their age in after years have brought about 
infection. Lack of a proper food supply may be another contrib- 
uting cause. So far the disease has not proA^ecl serious, but it should 
be watched for, and Avhere it appears the diseased culms should be 
taken out and destroyed. Precautions should also be taken in the 
matter of culm injuries, especially when the bamboos are making 
rapid growth. 
BAMBOO INSECTS =* 
Most of the insects found infesting living bamboo in the United 
States are scales, and practicallj^ all feed by sucking juices from the 
leaves and stems. Other than scales, mealybugs, aphids, and mites 
are known to attack bamboo in this country and are sometimes suffi- 
ciently injurious to require remedial or control measures. In such 
cases the course to be followed will be governed by the degree of 
infestation, the condition of the plant, and the purpose for which 
it is grown. Sometimes it maj^ be wise to cut down and burn all 
the infested material. Usually, however, the removal and burning 
of the dead and of the more heavily infested living portions of the 
plants that can be spared, combined with the spraying treatment 
appropriate for the species of insect concerned, as described below, 
will be satisfactory. 
Where the species of insect mentioned has other host plants in 
the vicinity, as is the case at least with some of these pests, it will 
be advisable to examine the other plants for the insect's presence 
or appearance and endeavor to prevent these plants from becoming 
a source of infestation for the bamboo. 
BAMBOO SCALE 
The adult female of the bamboo scale {Asterolecanium hambusae 
Bdv.) is observed as an oval, moderately convex scale. It is from 
2 to 2^2 millimeters (yV to rh inch) long and 1% millimeters (^V 
inch) wide. The scale is smooth and glossy in appearance, semi- 
transparent and colorless or tinged with green or yellow. The 
marginal fringe consists of a cloulDle series of short, pinkish, glossy 
filaments which appear in pairs. 
The insect is found at many places in California and in Florida 
and perhaps other Southeastern States. It is also frequently inter- 
cepted at quarantine. The bamboo scale attacks Bamhos vulgans 
and the persimmon {Diospyros spp.). Sometimes infestations are 
heavy. In California the scale is not found injurious to the host 
to a marked degree, and little production of honeydew and smutting 
is recorded. 
In control, G. F. Moznette has found an oil emulsion consisting of 
paraffin oils and fishoil soap to be effective. This oil emulsion is 
prepared as follows: 
Red engine oil 1 gallon. 
Water V2 gallon. 
Potash-fishoil soap 1 pound. 
2 The matter relating to bamboo insects was prepared by William. Middleton, of Forest 
Insect Investigations, Bureau of Entomology, which investigates insects affecting hardy 
shrubs and towhich inquiries about thexa should be addressed. 
