220 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



same moth, as wasfoimd in 1879 to issue from the melon-worm chrysalis. This worm 

 had probably fed on the foliage of a pumpkin vine which ran near the tomato plant. 



The melon-worm, Fhakellura htjalinakdis, is known then to destrt^^ musk-melons, 

 cucumbers, and pumpkins. Its cousin, the pickle-worm, Fhakellura nitidalis, has been 

 found here, but it remains to be determined whether it plays any part in the destruc- 

 tion of melons or of cucumbers in this locality. 



No efficient remedy for this pest has been discovered here. Some have tried placing 

 each melon on a piece of plank, under the mistaken notion that the worms emerged 

 from the earth. Paris green and London purple are objectionable, by reason of their 

 poisonous properties. Professor Comstock has suggested to me a trial of the Persian 

 insect-powder, pyrethmm. Whatever remedy is employed it must be applied to the 

 leaA-es as well as to the melons. The worms devour both foliage and fruit, and, if 

 the fruit alone be protected, the foliage will be destroyed, the plants will cease to 

 grow, and the melons will not come to maturity. 



J. E. WILLET. 



Macon, Ga., May 1, 1880. 



The number of broods in a season has not been definitely ascertained. 

 The insect winters in the chrysalis state, sjum up in the lea.ves of any 

 neighboring tree or plant. They usually migTate to a greater or less 

 distance fi'om their feeding place before webbing mp. At Eock Ledge, 

 Fla., I found them abundantly webbed up on Palmetto and Orange 

 trees in a grove in which the so-called Indian pumpkins had grown. 



As regards remedies Mr. J. S. Newman, of Atlanta, Ga., states that 

 the only one known to him is to plant early, the object being to pick 

 the melons before the most destructive brood of the worms has ap- 

 peared. It would undoubtedly be found profitable to keep a sharp look- 

 out for the Jirst brood of the worms, which will probably be found feed- 

 ing upon the leaves and stems before the young melons have begun to 

 form. These should be killed by hand. This could be readily done in 

 patches comparatively small in size, and we think will be found profit- 

 able in large gardens. 



Two species of parasitic insects have been reared from the specimens 

 sent to the department ; one is Pimpla conqmsitor, an Ichneumon-fly, 

 which has proved very efficaciou;^ in the case of the cotton-worm ; the 

 other is a Tachina fly, and is represented in PI. Ill, fig. 6. Much is to be 

 expected from the aid of these parasites. 



THE JAPAN LILY APHIS. 



{Si^honojphora lilii, Monell [new species].) 

 Order Homopteea ; family Aphididae. 



Feeding upon the under sides of the leaves of the Japan lily and tulip, a red and yel- 

 low aphid 2™™ (^ inch) in length. 



In July, 1879, specimens of a handsome aphid were received from Mr. 

 Peter B. Mead, of New York City, who had studied them for sometime 

 upon the Japan lilies in his green -house. The following notes upon 

 habits accomijanied the specimens : 



I first noticed this aphis in the spring of 1878 on some Japan lilies, the bulbs of 

 •which, as well as the earth in which they were grown, were received from Japan dur- 

 ing the preceding Avinter. My attention was first attracted by an unusual appearance 

 of the under suiface of the leaves, which looked as if thickly dotted with small 

 brown specks. A closer examination proved them to be plant lice of a species en- 

 tirely new to me. They were about half grown, but very soon attained maturity. 

 Thickly grouped together on the leaves, they certainly presented a picturesque ap- 

 pearance, being the only aphis I have ever seen that could be called handsome. They 

 multiplied with astonishing rapidity, and soon covered the plants. I am confident 

 that they increase more rapidly than the green aphis. "V^^len disturbed they all seeiu 

 to unite in a swaying motion, more marked than that of the green aphi& 



