INSECTS ATTACKING CORN. 21 



pigeon grass or smart-weed maturing in the corn would diminish 

 likewise the chances of survival of young root-lice the following 

 year." 



Kansas Notes. — This insect has not been very genei-ally ob- 

 served in the State, but it is undoubtedly more common than 

 indicated by the lack of observations. 



CORN-LOUSE. 



{Aphis maidis Fitch; Order, Hemiptera.) 



Diagnosis. — Many minute soft, green insects on the stalks, 

 leaves, or tassels; small brown ants running up and down the 

 stalks ; wilting of the corn leaves. 



Description and Life-history. — Very small, soft-bodied, apple- 

 green insects; body elliptical or slightly ovate in outline. The 



Fig. 11. Corn-louse; a, winged female; b, pupa; c, wingless female. 



insects are mostly wingless, though in the late fall winged speci 

 mens may be found. The eggs are laid in the fall and hatch the 

 following spring. 



Remedies. — There are so many natural enemies of the plant- 

 lice that they are rarely permitted to do serious damage, despite 

 their extraordinary prolificness. Several species of lady-beetles 

 feed on the Corn-louse. The lice could be easily destroyed by the 

 use of kerosene emulsion (see p. 9), but this would be imprac- 

 ticable as a general remedy in fields. 



Kansas Notes. — Prof E. A. Popenoe found this insect attack- 

 ing cane in southern Kansas in 1882. 



A correspondent in Brown county wrote this Department un- 

 der date of June 2, 1891, sending specimens of the louse and re- 



