INSECTS AFFECTING INDIAN CORN. 



INJURING THE ROOT. 



The Corn Root-aphis. 



Aphis maidisf 

 This is a small, bluish-green aphis, or louse, which 

 occurs on the roots of corn, from the time it comes 

 up in spring until it is cut in autumn. Its general 



form, when magnified, is 

 well shown at Fig. 110, 

 which represents a closely 

 related species, the Apple 

 Aphis. There are two forms 

 found upon the roots, one 

 having wings and the other 

 not, the latter being much 

 the commonest. Both forms 

 .110. Apple Aphis. Magnmcd. a^e always attended by the 

 common, small, brown ant (Lasius alienus), which 

 cares for them as tenderly as it does for the eggs and 

 young of its ow r n species. Eggs are laid by the 

 aphides, during September and October, in the sub- 

 terranean galleries of the ants, and are collected by 

 the latter and cared for all winter. In spring, when 

 the lice are beginning to hatch, the ants tunnel 

 about the roots of corn, or various weed}' plants, and 

 transport the little aphides to them. The lice feed 

 upon the sap of the plant, sucking it through their 



