90 INJURIOUS INSECTS OF KANSAS. 



CHERRY APHIS. 



[Myzus cerasi Fabr.; Order, Hemiptera.) 



Diagnosis. — Twigs and under surface of leaves of the cheiTy 

 spotted or covered with great numbers in groups of minute, shin- 

 ing, black insects. Leaves wilt; growth of tree is stunted. 



Description and Life-history. — This pest is one of the plant-lice 

 or aphids, minute, soft-bodied, most of the individuals wingless, 

 sucking insects. (For general appearance, see Figs. 10 and 11.) 

 It passes the winter in the egg state, on the cherry twigs ; early 

 in spring the young aphids, hatching, gather on the bursting buds 

 and begin sucking the juice from the unfolding leaves. In a week 

 or 10 days the plant-lice are mature, and begin giving birth to 

 young, which, in turn, are soon fully developed. The plant-lice 

 increase in numbers with marvelous rapidity, and if not checked 

 by the attacks of many natural enemies would soon overrun all 

 vegetation. The young are born alive, except in the case of the 

 first brood of the year, which issue from eggs laid by the last 

 brood of the preceding year. This last fall brood is composed of 

 winged individuals, most of the other broods being wingless. 



Remedies. — The natural enemies of the plant-lice, including 

 lady-birds and their larvse, parasitic two- and four-winged flies, 

 etc., are usually sufficient to keep the aphids in check. 



Kerosene emulsion (see p. 9) sprayed on the lice is the most 

 effective artificial remedy. As the lice live by sacking, poisoning 

 the foliage is unavailing. The insecticide must be something 

 which will destroy the insects by actual contact. Strong soap- 

 suds or tobacco water are recommended. 



Kansas Notes. — The Cherry Aphis is perhaps not a formidable 

 insect enemy to orchardists of this State, yet it undoubtedly does 

 some annual damage in stunting the spring growth of young trees. 



I have seen young cherry trees with large portions of their fresh 

 leaves and tender shoots fairly covered and blackened by these 

 insects. 



