ATTACKING THE LEAVES. 351 



with an outline the natural size. It punctures the young 

 leaves of the currant-bushes on both their upper and under 

 surfaces, causing small brown spots, not much larger than 

 pin-heads, but these are sometimes so numerous and closely 

 placed that the leaves become completely withered. The in- 

 sects are very active, and when approached 

 drop quickly to the ground or fly away. FlG - 364 - 

 They begin to feed in May or June, and 

 continue for a month or two, often dis- 

 figuring the bushes very much and retard- 

 ing their growth. When very trouble- 

 some, they may be captured by visiting 

 the bushes early in the morning, and, while torpid with cold, 

 brushing them off into a pail partly filled with water on which 

 a little coal-oil has been poured. They do not confine their 

 attacks to currant-bushes, but often injure the dahlia by punc- 

 turing the flower-stems and causing them to wither; they 

 also affect the weigelia, the deutzia, and other shrubs. 



No. 213. The Currant Plant-louse. 



Aphis ribis Linn. 



Towards midsummer there often appear on the leaves of 

 red-currant bushes blister-like elevations of a brownish-red 

 color, while on their under sides are corresponding hollows, 

 in which will be found a multitude of lice, some of a pale- 

 yellowish color, without wings, others with transparent wings, 

 and bodies marked with black. 



In the position these insects occupy they are very difficult 

 to destroy, except by hand-picking the leaves and burning 

 them. A few lady-birds, such as are referred to under No. 

 57, introduced among them, will speedily lessen their num- 

 bers. These lice rarely inflict any serious injury, but for a 

 time give the bushes an unsightly and diseased appearance: 

 they are an importation from Europe, where they have long 

 been injurious to the currant. 



