The Scurvy Bark Louse.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 208, 25 June 1887, Page 4

The Scurvy Bark Louse.

This is the American name for a species of scale insect scientifically known as A*i»diotus llarrmi. It has also been named Chionotpis fur/imis, but our readers will be more interested in learning something about its behaviour in an orchard. The following is a short description of it :—: — The scale of the female is oblong in form, pointed beloAv, very flat, of a grayishwhite colour, and abouc one-tenth of an inch long; that of the male is smaller and narrower ; it is not more than

one-thirteenth of an inch long. This insect is a native of America, where it originally infested the wild crab trees. We believe it is found in New Zealand, but whether it is native to the country or has been imported we cannot say. It is not so common as the oyster- shell bark scale, and is far less injurious. The scales are formed by a secretion from the body of the louse, and under them the female lays her eggs. These, when hatched, are active for a few days ; then attach themselves to the bark, and in their turn form a scale ; as they move about for so short a time, they do not disseminate themselves, but are often brought into orchards on young trees. All such should be carefully examined, and if any trace of the insect is discovered, the trees should be thoroughly washed in a solution of soft soap and sulphur, or of caustic soda.