INJURIOUS AND BENEFICIAL INSECTS OP CALIFORNIA. 101 



THE BROWN VIOLET APHIS 



Rhopalosiphum violw Pergaude 



Description.— All stages are dark red or, brown and the wings are 

 noticeably clouded along the veins, which easily distinguishes this 

 species from all others infesting violets. 



Life History. — The viviparous winged and apterous females bring 

 forth young continually throughout the early spring and the sum- 

 mer months. Little is known regarding the egg-laying habits. In 

 the southern part of the State it is found the year round upon the 

 violet. The louse works upon the tender shoots and undersides of 

 the older leaves causing distortions. 



Distribution. — This species has been reported only from the south 

 ern and central parts of the State. 



Food Plant. — Cultivated violets are attacked by this pest. 



THE BLACK FERN PLANT LOUSE 05 



Idiopterua nephrelepidis Davis 



(Macrosiphum hirkaldyi Pullaway) 



(Fig. 82) 



Description. — The mature winged and apterous viviparous females 

 are dark green or jet-black in color with light markings on the antenna?, 

 legs and honey tubes. The wings are beautifully clouded, as shown in 

 Fig. 82. The average length is about 1-16 inch. 



Fig. 82. — The black fern plant louse, Idiopterus nephrelepidis Davis. Apterous and 

 winged females. Greatly enlarged. (Author's illustration, P. C. Jr. Ent.) 



Distribution.— This plant louse is quite general^ distributed through- 

 out the State and is usually to be found in greenhouses and ornamental 

 gardens. 



Food Plants.— The Boston fern is a preferred food plant though 

 it has also been taken on golden fern (Acrostichum reticulatum) and 

 sword fern. 



05 P. C. Jr. Ent. Ill, pp. 538-541, 1911. 



