INSECTS INJURIOUS TO CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY 425 



The Currant-aphis * 



The young foliage of currants, and sometimes of gooseberries, 

 is often found curled up in late spring with many bladder-like 

 galls on the leaves, inside of which are found the numerous 

 yellowish-green plant-lice which have caused them. The wing- 

 less females are about one-twelfth inch long, yellowish-green 

 or green, mottled with darker shades, and with bright red eyes. 

 The winged female is slightly longer, with wings expanding one- 

 third inch. It is bright greenish-yellow, with pale olive head, 

 thoracic lobes brown, and the abdomen is marked by several dark 





FIG. 358. Currant foliage curled by aphids. (After Lowe.) 

 transverse bands and lateral spots. It is an old European 

 species and is probably found throughout the United States where 

 currants are grown. 



Life History. The life history is practically the same as that 

 of several other aphids previously described and need not be 

 rehearsed in detail. The small black eggs are found on the 

 stalks in winter and hatch just as the foliage appears. The aphids 

 multiply on the foliage, causing it to curl as described, until 

 midsummer, when they either migrate to some other food-plant 

 or become greatly reduced in numbers through the attacks of 

 parasites and predaceous insects, which are very effective in the 



* Myzus ribis Linn. Family Aphididce. See V. H. Lowe, Bulletin 139. 

 N Y. Agr Exp. Sta , p. 660, Another species, Rhopalosiphum ribis Linn.. 

 is also common on currant and is described and figured by Mr. Lowe. 



