14 



The Bulletin. 



COTTON LEAF-LOUSE (principally Aphis gossypii glov.) 

 Order Hemiptera. Family Aphididw. 



Description. — A small green louse, often found in great numbers 

 on the young leaves and tender growing part of young cotton, where 

 they suck the sap from the plant. More destructive in cool seasons, 

 and usually disappearing when settled hot weather comes in June and 

 July. The same species of louse also infests melons, in which case 

 it is called "Melon-louse." 



Injury in North Carolina. — Injury by this Cotton-louse seems 

 to be rather general throughout all the cotton-growing region of the 

 State. But although it often causes some uneasiness early in the 

 season while the weather is yet cool, it becomes reduced in numbers 

 or entirely disappears when settled warm weather comes in June or 

 July, the crop usually recovers, and the real ultimate damage is usually 

 slight, or at least is not seriously noticeable. Recent inquiries indicate 

 that it is regarded as an occasionally serious pest by over one-third 

 of our growers in all sections where cotton is grown. 



Fig. 5. — Cotton Leaf-louse. Adult winged female at a, side view of dark female at ab, young- louse 

 at b, young louse nearly grown at c, adult female of wingless form at d. All much enlarged. 



(After Chittenden, Bur. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



Life-history and Habits. — The adult winged lice appear in the 

 fields when the cotton is quite young. In the figure (Fig. 5, ab), 

 is shown the side view of a winged female and it may be seen that 

 there is a pointed beak attached to the under side of the head. 



