Natural decline of a pine needle scale population at South Lake Tahoe

In the summer of 1968, a small scale insect, the pine needle scale (Chionaspis (Phenacapis) pinifoliae, Fitch), was discovered in high densities within the city limits of South Lake Tahoe. The city lies within natural stands of lodge-pole and Jeffrey pine and both tree species were heavily infested with the scale. The infestation encompassed a total area of some 1300 acres. Investigations of the scale outbreak were initiated by the Division of Biological Control, University of California, Berkeley, the State Division of Forestry, the State Bureau of Vector Control and Solid Waste Management, and Mosquito Control Service Area No. 3.