358 THE PEOPLE'S FARM AND STOCK CYCLOPEDIA. 



NATURAL HISTORY. These aphides, sometimes green, as is the 

 case with the apple and rose aphis, and sometimes black, as seen 

 in the species attacking the cherry, pass the winter as eggs. I 

 speak of those left out of doors. These hatch into females, which 

 keep producing young, without any appearance of males, all sum- 

 mer through; so that the number of insects which may come 

 from a single egg in a season is alarmingly prodigious. This 

 may continue for eight or nine generations. But with the last 

 brood in autumn there come forth true males and females. 

 These pair and lay the eggs which are to produce the females in 

 the succeeding spring. This kind of reproduction is not confined 

 to plant lice. Other insects show the same peculiarity. In fact, 

 it is a well demonstrated fact that drone bees are the product 

 of unfertilized eggs. The two projecting tubes from the posterior 

 parts of the flask-shaped bodies of these lice are called nectaries, 

 as there exudes therefrom a sweet substance. This sweet secre- 

 tion attracts the ants, hence the reason that we usually see 

 plants attacked by lice also covered with ants. The lice and 

 ants seem to dwell together very amicably. In fact, there seems 

 to be an affection, not disinterested, to be sure, between them, as 

 the ants caress the lice in a very loving manner, and in case of 

 disturbance are very eager in their efforts to protect and care for 

 the lice. 



REMEDIES. Syringing the plants with tobacco water is sure 

 destruction to these insects. If limbs of small trees are alone 

 attacked, they may be dipped in the fluid. Whale oil soap so- 

 lution, and even common soap-suds are beneficial, while the kero- 

 sene and sour milk already recommended, is a sure remedy. I 

 think that these insects, where they are exposed to our cold 

 winters and to the host of lice destroyers, will never do great 

 mischief; but in our green-houses and on our house plants they 

 have full chance to work their ruin. But in these cases tobacco 

 water and tobacco smoke are effectual preventives, and where 

 else can this article, tobacco, be so appropriately used as in the 

 destruction of these miserable lice? 



Imported Currant Borer. JEgeria tipultformis, Linn. 

 Family, JEycridfp. Order, Lepi.dnptp.ra. This moth is widely 



