APHIDID^E. 301 



plump or oval as the apterous specimens, and the spots are not so 

 pronounced. 



On the whole, this is a very pretty aphis, the spots giving the 

 entire body a very bright-looking appearance. 



Mr Theobald in correspondence says 



" The curious staining of the wood where they have been is 

 interesting. I have found them in masses over a foot long in Hunts 

 and Kent." 



Genus Aphis, Linn. 



The genus Aphis, according to Buckton, contains 45 species, and 

 it is a very important genus. In the first place, the name Aphis 

 to a novice in entomological knowledge is very apt to be confounded 

 with the whole family of Aphididse, and may therefore in a general 

 sense be used to refer to every individual species. As there are 45 

 species in the genus, with food-plants ranging from the small weed to 

 the tall trees, it is obvious that some care must be taken in tabulation. 



As regards the main points in the genus, Buckton gives the 

 following viz. : 



"Rostrum moderately long, the last joint skittle-shaped, and as 

 long as the preceding. Antenna? shorter than the body. Frontal 

 tubercles none or rudimentary. Seventh joint setaceous, and as long 

 as the third. Cornicles cylindrical, and equally thick throughout. 

 Cauda short, sometimes hardly visible. Legs moderately long. Wings 

 generally shorter than the preceding genera, but veining similar." 



Aphis craT;gi (Kalt.) 



In several districts in Cheshire during the season 1893-94 very 

 much damage was done to young thorn hedges and young quicks by 

 the Aphis cratoegi, young thorns in many cases being killed outright. 

 There is no mistaking this pest. In consequence of growth being 

 arrested, the shoots are comparatively short, the leaves curl up, and 

 in general appearance the infested plants look as if the leaves and 

 young shoots are covered and killed with fresh soot (fig. 281). 



If infested plants are examined during the winter months, the top- 

 most portions will be found studded with dark-brown eggs. These 

 eggs hatch out as soon as the leaves burst, and throughout the summer 

 the insect pest in all its various stages may be found. 



