124 ANNUAL RErORT OF TIIR Oflf. Doc. 



Imd, thus destroying i(. Thdi- work can be recognized by ilie irregu- 

 lar growth of the branches, cansed by the injury to the terminal bnds. 

 Treatment: (ai Gather all the leaves from under the infested 

 trees in the fall and burn them, (b) Spray infested trees in tlie early 

 spring, as soon as the calerpillars make their a])pearance, or when 

 the buds are bursting, with 2 pounds of arsenate of lead mixed in 

 50 galons of water. 



DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTUKE— DIVISION OF ZOOLOGY 



APHIDS OR PLANT LICE 



These are soft-bodiC'd, sucking insects about one-eighth inch in 

 length. They pierce the -tissues of the young shoots and under side 

 of leaves of trees and plants, inserting their beaks or bills for the 

 purpose of sucking out the sap. This injury often causes the leaves 

 to curl in a characteristic manner. 



There are a number of species of Aphids, some passing their entire 

 life upon a singe host jilant, while others spend part of the year on 

 other plants. Because of the "honey dew" secreted by these insects, 

 they are admost invariably accompanied by ants which feed upon 

 this liquid. 



The eggs of the Aphids are often deposited upon the smaller 

 twigs of trees and upon plants late in the fall, by fertilized, egg- 

 laying females, in which stage the winter is passed. From these 

 eggs hatch, usually in the early spring, agamic females which become 

 the mothers of numerous offspring, bringing forth their young alive. 

 After several generations of wingless forms or upon crowding wing- , 

 ed Aphids, are produced, and these migrate to other localities and 

 start new colonies. In midsummer they go from the apple leaves 

 to roots of grasses, and return in the fall. Egg-laying forms are 

 produced only in the fall. 



Aphids are usually very destructive to plant life, and all trees 

 and plants should be sprayed thoroughly as soon as they are found 

 to be infested. The Green Apple Aphis; the Rosy Apple Aphis; the 

 Cherry-tree Aphis; the Maple Aphis; the Peach-tree Aphis; the 

 Rose Aphis ; the Cabbage Aphis ; the European Grain Aphis ; infesting 

 respectively the plants indicated by their names, are the most com- 

 mon species in this State, 



Treatment: (a) Dormant Spray. The exposed eggs of Aphids 

 upon trees can readily be destroyed by spraying with lime-sulfur 

 solution, as for San Jose scale, just before the buds burst in the 

 early spring, using either the Home-boiled or Commercial Concen- 

 trated Lime-sulfui- Solution. Fruit trees infested with San Jos6 

 scale and A]>hids should be sju'ayed with either one of the following: 



Lime sulfur Solution (Home-boiled, Concentrated). Slake 60 pounds 

 of high grade lime, adding 125 pounds of fine sulfur previously 

 mixed to a paste Y>'ith Avater (to break up any lumps which may be 

 present), and boil in 50 gallons of water for one hour. Tf necessary, 

 add water to make up for any evaporation; strain and store in 

 (closed vessels until needed, or store in open A'essels, keeping the 



