TOBACCO INFUSION FOR LEAF-HOPPERS AND APHIDES. 31 



The Thrips proper is quite a different insect. There are a number 

 of species, constituting the family of Thripidcr^Xhe location of which, in 

 classification, has caused much discussion. By Ha^liday, it was separa- 

 ted as a distinct order under the name of Thvsanoptera, which has 

 been accepted by a number of entomologists. Dr. Packard and others 

 regard it as belonging to the Hemiptera, having affinities both with 

 the CorisidiZ and the Mallophaga. Their habits vary greatly, for while 

 many of the species are certainly vegetable feeders and injurious in their 

 operations, others are carnivorous, and are serviceable in the destruction 

 of gall-insects,* eggs of the curculio,f the red-spider {Tetranychus tela- 

 rius)X the clover-seed midge (Cecidoinyia legu7ninicold)% probably the 

 wheat-midge {Dip/osis tn'fici),\ and other insect pests. 



Infusion of Top.acco for the Rose-lfaf Hopper. 



An infusion of tobacco is said to be an effectual preventive of the 

 little white leaf-hopper often so injurious to roses, the Tettigonia rosce 

 of Dr. Harris. Where the tobacco stems can be procured, place some 

 of them in a vessel (a tin pan of the capacity of about two gallons 

 would be convenient) and pour boiling water over them, so as to cover 

 completely, and leave it standing over night. Dilute for using with four 

 or five times the quantity of water and apply with a syringe or force 

 pump, taking care to distribute it also over the underside of the leaves. 

 The application, like most other licpiid applications to leaves for the 

 prevention of insect injuries, should be made in the evening or early in 

 the morning. It should first be applied early in the season before the 

 injuries are very apparent, and as soon as the young larvce, looking like 

 little white specks, can be discovered upon the underside of the leaves. 

 As often as may be needed, in order to check the attack, the showering 

 with the infusion should be repeated. 



Infusion of Tobacco for Aphides on House-Plants. 



A similar infusion to the above is recommended by Mr. John G. 

 Barker, at a recent meeting of the Massachusetts State Horticultural 

 Society, for killing the "green fly" (Aphis) that infests house-plants. 

 It is made by filling a pail with stems and pouring on them all the water 

 the pail will hold. This should stand for twenty-four hours and used 

 in tlie proportion of half a pint to a pail of water [seemingly a very 



^* Riley : 6th Report Insects of Mksonri, p. 50, and Sth do., p. 118. 

 + Id.: 2d Report, p. G; 3d Report, p. 29 (the species not named). 



I Pergande, in Pscyche, iii, 1882, p. 381. 

 §Id., ib. 



II Walsh, in Proceed. Entomolog. Soc. Phila., iii, 18G4, p. Gil. 



