196 PLANT LICE, 
Aphis cucumeris Forbes. (The Melon Plant-louse). 
This insect, equally well known in the South as an enemy to 
the cotton plant, for which reason it was described by Glover as 
A. gossypu, causes great injury in the Eastern states, and may 
before long be found in our own state. It also infests the cucum- 
ber, dwarf bean, spinach, hop, pear, purslane, burdock, dandelion, 
plaintain, and numerous other plants, even the red clover. Ac- 
cording to Pergande it is found almost everywhere in the United 
States, excepting the more northern regions, in Mexico, and in 
the West Indies. 
Like all other plant-lice it sucks the sap, and if at all numer- 
ous the leaves are caused to curl over the insects, so that they 
are concealed and sheltered. Prof. Smith gives a good illustra- 
tion of this plant-louse, Fig. 157, and in 1895 described its life- 
history as follows: 
Fic. 157—Aphis cucumeris Forbes—Winged viviparous female. After Smith. 
“Thus far neither complete males or females have been dis- 
covered, although specimens of the viviparous form have been 
found in almost every month of the year. Mr. Pergande reports 
the insect on purslane from June until the plants are killed by 
frost, and a winter egg was found on one of these plants late in 
October. On shepherd’s purse it was found from September to 
January or later, ‘even after heavy frosts, sleet and snow.’ On 
cultivated strawberries it has been found from September to 
March or later, frequently very numerous on the under side of 
