Eighth Report of the State Entomologist. 213 



The " lice " infesting melon and cucumber vines are probably the 

 cucumber aphis, Ajyhis cucumerls Forbes. It may be killed if kerosene 

 emulsion, pyrethrum powder or pyrethrum in water, fish-oil soap, or 

 strong tobacco water, is applied to it. But as it usually occurs on the 

 underside of the leaves, and causes them to curl irregularly, it is 

 almost impossible to reach the insects by ordinary spraying. If a 

 knapsack pump, provided with a rod and a Vermorel nozzle, be used, 

 the liquid could be thrown very effectually upon the lower surface of 

 the leaves. The eggs of this aphis are deposited in the autumn, and 

 probably on the dead leaves and vines. If these, therefore, are collected 

 and burned each year, the attack of the insect would be largely 

 prevented. 



The insect that punctures the blossom-stems of the strawberry is 

 probably " the flea-like negro-bug," Gorimelwna pulicaria Germ. (If 

 possible, examples of insects of which informa- 

 tion is desired, should be sent with the inquiry.) 

 It is the size of some of the flea-beetles — about 

 one-tenth of an inch long, and is shining black 

 with a white stripe on each side. As this little bug 

 has a large number of food-plants, as the rasp- fig. so.— The flea-iike 



, , . 1 „ 1 1 negro-bug CoRiMELaiNA 



berry, cherry, qumce, garden flowers, and several pulicaria. CAfter Riley.) 

 weeds of which it is very fond, it is difficult to bring it under control. 

 The same substances recommended above for the aphis would probably 

 kill it, 



[The insect is shown in Figure 50.] 



Professor Riley states that this troublesome and destructive insect is 

 particularly partial to two weeds, upon which it breeds, and beneath 

 which it may often be found in the month of June in countless num- 

 bers — viz., the red-root or New Jersey tea-plant {Geanothus ameri- 

 <ianus), and neck weed or purslane speedwell ( Veronica lyeregrind). 

 He therefore advises the propagation of a small plat of either of these 

 weeds near a strawberry patch or other infested crop, as a decoy for 

 the bugs, which may thus be drawn away from the cultivated crops 

 and easily destroyed when congregated in large numbers in a limited 

 space. ((7. G., for June 4, 1891.) 



Since the publication of the preceding notices of the cucumber aphis. 

 Professor J. B. Smith has reported its destructiveness to all kinds of 

 "Cucurbitaceous vines in all parts of the State of New Jersey, in 1889 

 {Bulletm 1-2, October, 1890, N. J. Agr. Goll. Kqx St.), and in the 

 Annual Report of the Station, 1890, page 484, he refers to it as having 

 been troublesome to growers for years past. 



