APHIDID^E. 299 



with the head and body. The antennae are black, long, and slender, 

 and consequently liable to injury. There are two vertical black 

 markings and five or six transverse bars on the abdomen, as well 

 as similar markings on the under side. The legs are variable in 

 colour. The tail is short and not very conspicuous. The cornicles 

 are comparatively long. 



This is altogether a handsome-looking aphis, and is suggestive of a 

 lobster. It may be shaken in showers from the leaves. This species, 

 however, is so very variable in colour that Buckton gives several 

 varieties in both larval and perfect forms. 



About the middle of April, just before the winged insects appear, 

 large apterous specimens, very much larger than the general larvae, 

 and of a mahogany colour, may be found. Contrasting with the 

 larvae, just referred to, it may be observed that in proportion to the 

 size of the body, the antennae, cornicles, and tail are all comparatively 

 short. The abdomen is large, warty, and bristly. At first sight 

 this insect may be taken for a "stem-mother" or for some other 

 species, but if kept in confinement for a few days it will be found 

 to be a bloated parasitised form, whence parasites are hatched. 



It has been asserted by several observers that the larvae of this 

 species always assume wings, and that consequently the wingless 

 specimens never give birth to young. In other words, only the fully 

 developed female, which in this case is the winged specimen, gives 

 birth to young. I have not fully verified this, but so far as my 

 observations go, I am inclined to endorse this view. 



The apterous oviparous female may be found in the autumn on the 

 under side of the leaves, just before they fall. It is easily recognised 

 by its darkish colour and elongated abdomen prolonged into a tail. 

 The eyes are bright red. 



This insect rather lends itself to a study of ovarian characters. 



Genus Melanoxanthus. 



As this genus was founded by Buckton, it is best to give his own 

 description : 



"Body elliptical, rather flat, vertex flat between the antennae. 



" Antennae short. The third joint double the length of the fourth. 

 The seventh equal to the sixth. Frontal tubercles inconspicuous. 



"Nectaries short and pear-shaped, with trumpet -like mouths. 



