3 
from 1.2 to 1.8"", while the wings expand from 4.5 to 6™™. A darker 
form of the female is shown in profile at a+, and the antenne, much 
enlarged, at aa. The male has not as yet been recognized. 
This is by far the most important and abundant aphis affecting 
melons and other cucurbits, and is not likely to be confused with any 
other species occurring habitually on the same class of plants.” It is, 
indeed, a very important pest, and, taken season after season, the worst 
aphis occurring in this country. 
Fic. 2.—Melon aphis (Aphis gossypii): a, winged female; aa, enlarged antenna of same; ab, dark 
female, side view, sucking juice from surface of leaf; b, young nymph or larva; c, last stage of 
nymph; d, wingless female. All greatly enlarged (author’s illustration). 
DISTRIBUTION. 
The origin of the melon aphis is doubtful, but is probably tropical, 
since this insect shows a decided preference for plants of a tropical 
nature, such as the cucurbits, cotton, and orange. Southward the 
aphis occurs in the West Indies, in Mexico, and in Brazil, and doubt- 
less elsewhere in South America. It is very generally distributed 
thruout the United States, but does more injury in the southwest than 
elsewhere. In Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska it is particularly trouble- 
some to melons, and in the last two States to cucumbers, which are 
there extensively grown for pickling. But it may at any time create 
«The squash aphis ( Nectarophora [Siphonophora] cucurbite Middleton), a much 
larger species, more uniformly green, and of a much lighter and brighter color, is 
often found on cucurbits, but seldom in sufficient numbers to cause noticeable 
damage. 
