1900 SUPPLEMENT-—RECENT INTRODUCTIONS, &C. 61 
Aphides—continued. 
that of a widely different order, suffices; and this 
accommodating taste no doubt stands such species in 
good stead. It is not, for instance, generally known that 
Aphis pruni infests not only the Plum (with which its 
specific name identifies it) and most other orchard and 
wall fruit-trees, but also Composites like Chrysanthe- 
mums and Asters; or that the Lettuce Aphis (Siphono- 
phora lactuce) will feed upon the Currant or Gooseberry ; 
and so of many others. Equally worthy of notice is a 
phase in the life-history of that pest the Hop Aphis 
(Phorodon huwmuli), which in the autumn (September) 
forsakes that plant to take up its abode upon the Plum, 
from which in turn it migrates again to the Hop in 
spring. It is upon the Plum that the winter is passed 
in the egg-state. This is not, however, the only means 
by which this species is increased, for Nature has or- 
dained that certain of the females should remain impervious 
to winter’s cold, and in the early spring bring forth living 
young. : 
To describe in detail all the species against which the 
gardener is called upon to wage war would occupy too 
much space without a corresponding advantage accruing, 
especially as the methods of dealing with all are prac- 
tically identical, though some species, by reason of their 
habits, are not so readily reached as are others. Some 
of the commonest and most destructive kinds are: 
Apple Aphis (A. mali). This insect varies con- 
siderably with the different individuals found (Fig. 52). 
The eggs are laid in late summer in the vicinity of the 
buds, or it may be in cracks in the bark. From these 
(By Permission of the Board of Agriculture.) 
Fic. 52. Appve Apis (APHIS MALI). Showing Fore- and Hind- 
wings; Winged Viviparous Female; and Oviparous Female. 
(All magnified.) 
hatch out in early spring the viviparous females alluded 
to in Vol. I., and these continue the round of life there 
depicted. The first symptoms of attack are a curling 
of the leaves, which almost invariably blacken and fall. 
Colour, some shade of green. 
Bean Aphis (Aphis rumicis). This is also known as 
Black Fly, Dolphin Fly, and is very abundant upon Broad 
Beans, See Bean Fly. | 
Cherry Fly (Myzus cerasi). Although the specific 
name indicates the Cherry as the object of this insect’s 
attack, the pest by no means restricts its attention to 
that tree, but occasionally also lays under contribution 
Currants as well. This is another black species. It 
mostly congregates on the under-surfaces of the leaves, 
though at times nearly every part of the tree is involved. 
A tree badly attacked by this insect is a sight not 
Aphides—continued. 
likely to be forgotten, for what with the excreta and the 
sticky secretion which has been exuded, the leaves, &c., 
present a most unhealthy appearance. The attack is made 
in spring and is long-continued, so that the drain upon the 
tree’s resources is considerable. 
Currant Aphides (Myzus ribis and Rhopalosiphum 
ribis). Besides the occasional Aphis visitor to the Currant 
noted above, there are two very troublesome pests in the 
Currant Aphides proper. These are greenish or yellowish 
in all stages, and approach one another so closely that no 
one but an expert would be able to separate the two 
species. Both kinds are to be found upon the under- 
surfaces of the Red and the Black Currant. These they 
attack, causing a reddish or reddish-yellow blister-like 
swelling to form; they sometimes entirely disfigure 
the leaves. If leaves showing blisters are lifted, they 
will usually be found to shelter the pests in the vicinity 
of the gall-like structures. Currant Aphides commence 
their depredations in spring, as soon as the new leaves are 
unfolded, and if remedial measures are not adopted, the 
fruit crop will be considerably endangered. 
Hop and Plum Aphis (Phorodon hwmuli). This is 
a pale green kind, too well known to need a detailed 
description ; while a brief sketch of its peculiar life-history 
has already been given. (See also Phorodon humuli, 
Vol. I1.). 
Pea Aphis. See Pea Pests. 
Peach Aphis (Aphis amygdali). ‘Chis reddish-yellow 
Aphis occasions much mischief to Peaches by blocking up 
the breathing-pores of the leaves with its secretions. Often, 
however, it is credited as well with the injury wrought 
by the Peach-Curl Fungus, because present at the same 
time. 
Plum Aphis (Aphis pruni) is another green or yellow- 
ish-green species, very abundant upon the under-surfaces 
of Plum foliage. It also attacks the Peach and the Apricot. 
In all cases the leaves if badly-attacked “ curl,’ and they 
are, moreover, covered with ‘“‘ honeydew,” and are rendered 
most unsightly. The “curl” of the leaves in the case of 
Peaches must not be confounded with that brought about 
by the fungus Ezoascus deformans, though the two not 
infrequently co-exist. 
Rose Aphis. See Rose. 
Woolly Aphis (Schizonewra lanigera). 
ean Blight. 
Remedies. Before the gardener can satisfactorily deal 
with any insect pest, he must first of all determine how it 
feeds. It is useless, for instance, spraying on to trees power- 
ful poisons if they are not likely to bring about the desired 
result—the diminution of the pest attacked. ‘This, how- 
ever, is frequently done, more especially with sap- 
sucking insects like these under notice. Now it cannot 
be too well known that, unlike in the case of chewing 
insects, poisoning the food-plant is not of the slightest use 
for Aphides.. These creatures, by the aid of their rostra, 
actually bore through the poison before they begin 
to suck, and therefore to simply spray the tree would 
be labour wasted. To be really effective, the in- 
secticide must be something which kills by contact, and 
there is nothing really better for the majority of Aphides 
than some tobacco-water or the soft-soap and quassia-chip 
solution recommended in Vol. I. The chief difficulty in 
dealing with attacks of Aphides is in the case of tall 
trees, for although powerful spraying-machines are now 
upon the market, they would hardly reach the larger 
ornamental trees used in the decoration of our parks and 
gardens, and these must be left to Nature to remedy. 
Most Fruit-trees and the smaller decorative subjects may, of 
course, be thoroughly sprayed. To ensure the greatest 
success spray directly the insects are noticed, and 
use the mixture lukewarm, as it has been found of far 
See Ameri- 
