344 INSECT PESTS OF FA.RM, GARDEN AND ORCHARD 



The Melon-aphis * 



Just as the vines commence to run, a plant will be found here 

 and there with the foliage curled up and wilting and within will be 

 found masses of the greenish " melon lice," which have caused the 

 injury by their many beaks sucking out the sap of the plant. If 

 allowed to multiply unchecked and their natural enemies do not 

 prevent their increase, they will sometimes become so abundant 



FIG 290. The melon aphis (Aphis gossypii Glov.): a, winged female; aa,, 

 enlarged antenna of same; ab, dark female, side view, sucking juice 

 from leaf; 6, young nymph; c, last stage of nymph of winged form; d, 

 wingless female greatly enlarged. (After Chittenden, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



as to completely ruin a whole crop just as the melons are com- 

 mencing to ripen. It is one of the worst pests of cucurbs and one 

 which requires constant vigilance on the part of the grower. 



The aphids are to be found on various weeds in early spring 

 and appear on cucurbs soon after they start growth. Both winged 

 and wingless females occur throughout the year. The wingless 



* Aphis gossypii Glover. Family Aphididce. See F. H. Chittenden, 

 Farmers' Bulletin 914, U. S. Dept. Agr. ; also C E. Sanborn, Bulletin 98, 

 Oklahoma Agr. Exp. Sta., and C. E. Dursh, Bulletin 174, Illinois Agr. Exp. 

 Sta. 



