28 First Report on Ecouoniic Zoology. 



The Peach Aphis. 



{Aphis amygdali, Fonsc.) 



Amongst a number of Aphides sent by a coiTespondent from 

 Tunbridge Wells were specimens of the Peach Aphis {Ajjhis ariiygdali). 

 The Peach Aphis also attacks nectarines and causes the leaves to 

 curl lip and to fall, often leaving the branches cj[uite bare. It also 

 feeds on the sloe and tobacco plant. Another species, Hyalopterus 

 pruni, Fabr., also attacks the peach, but from the remains sent the 

 species in question here is A. amygdali. These Aphides have 

 nothing to do with the curled fleshy leaves seen on peach trees 

 ■caused by the fungus Exogcsius deformans. 



It is advisable to use quassia wash only on peach, as paraffin 

 emulsion might damage the foliage and the young fruit, the peach 

 being much tenderer than the apple or plum. 



A General Wash for Fruit Trees. 



A general insect wash required by a Gloucestershire correspondent 

 of the Board of Agriculture may be made as follows : — 



A. (1) Dissolve 1 oz. of arsenate of soda in soft water and add to 

 16 gallons of soft water. 



(2) Then dissolve 3 ozs. of acetate of lead in soft water and add to 

 above and stir well ( = Arsenate of lead wash). 



B. Dissolve 1 quart of soft soap in 2 quarts of boiling soft 

 water. Then remove from the fire and wliile still Ijoiling hot add 

 1 pint of paraffin and churn the whole together for ten minutes with 

 a small hand syringe. (For use alone dilute wdtli ten times its 

 volume of soft water (= Paraffin emulsion.) 



For mixing with A, add about two pints of the concentrated 

 emulsion (B) and mix well. The combined wash will then destroy 

 both biting or mandibulate and sucking or haustellate insects. 



By far the most successful wash for " Apple Sucker " is Quassia 

 wash as used in the Kent hop gardens. 



Further Information re Winter Washing of 



Fruit Trees. 



In answer to an enquiry of a correspondent of the Board of Agri- 

 culture, re winter washing of fruit trees, it was pointed out that 

 '" washing " and " spraying " of fruit and other trees ai'e merely 



