60 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 
Potato aphis (Macrosiphum solanifolii Ashm.). The 
spring and early summer of 1918 was very similar to that of 1917. 
These conditions favor the multiplication of the potato aphis and, 
as last year, the insect began to attract notice toward the end of 
June in the southern part of the State, particularly on Long Island 
and in Orange and Rockland counties. The infestation was some- 
what general though at that date did not appear to be serious. 
Early in July considerable damage was reported from Rockland 
county and entire fields were killed in Nassau county. The tomato 
crop was also threatened. About the middle of July the aphids 
became abundant in Dutchess county and were also reported from 
Madison county. About July 20th it caused somewhat serious 
injury in the Hudson valley, north of Greene county, and a week 
later was present though not generally serious in Columbia county. 
The breeding of this insect is so closely related to weather conditions 
that one might almost forecast injury during a period when unusually 
low temperatures and moist conditions prevail. Potato aphids 
thrive at such times and their natural enemies can not develop with 
equal rapidity, consequently an important check is, for the time at 
least, held in abeyance. 
Plant lice attack may be recognized by the edges of young leaves 
turning downward and after a short time the foliage shrivels and we 
have the characteristic dying condition. This progresses from the 
top downward and in very seriously infested fields all the foliage may 
rapidly succumb, part of this being very likely due to plant diseases 
as well as to insect injuries. 
The potato aphis is very injurious to tomatoes since a serious 
infestation results in the bloom dropping without the setting of fruit, 
and as this occurs with the earlier blossoms, the loss is frequently 
considerable. Egg plants and peppers are also severely damaged, 
the plant lice working, as in the case of the tomato, on the underside 
of the leaves and the greatest injury likewise resulting from the 
attack upon the blossoms and the blossom stem. 
Early and thorough spraying with a nicotine soap preparation is 
the best control measure. Use three-fourths of a pint (40 per cent 
nicotine) to 100 gallons of water to which are added 6 to 8 pounds of 
any cheap soap. The one essential is to spray thoroughly from the 
underside so as to drench all the insects. Several sprayings are 
sometimes necessary. 
CORN AND GRASS INSECTS 
Corn is one of our most important farm crops. It has been 
