10 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS OF VICTORIA I 



ripened splendidly. Now, what between the aphides, 

 borers, and " fungus curl," growers are at their wits' end 

 to know what to do to prevent or remedy all or any of 

 these serious obstacles to successful peach-growing, at 

 least in many districts throughout the colony. 



In the coloured plates with which Part II., as in 

 Part L, is illustrated, I have endeavoured to show you the 

 Black Peach Aphis in many of its stages, and which, it 

 is hoped, will assist the grower in recognising this pest 

 at a glance. To many, however, the forms will, unfor- 

 tunately, be but too familiar. 



The Black Peach Aphis makes its appearance when the 

 tree is bare of leaves, generally about the end of June or 

 beginning of July. In some districts it will be earlier 

 and in some later, according to locality and season. In 

 Castlemaine, for example, Mr. J. Lang informs me that 

 this pest on badly-affected trees is sometimes prevalent 

 all the year round, but does most harm when the trees 

 are in bloom and starting to shoot, completely destroying 

 the young fruit and foliage, and in some cases destroying 

 the tree also ; but trees which are not so badly injured 

 generally recover when the warm weather sets in, towards 

 the end of November. 



Near Melbourne, the Black Peach Aphis, especially in 

 the Doncaster and neighbouring districts, where it is very 

 prevalent, usually makes its appearance about the end of 

 July or early in August, according to Mr. Thiele and 

 other leading growers, just before the buds begin to open; 

 so that we may safely believe that this species at any rate 

 may be visible upon the branches of the tree nearly the 

 whole year through. 



As a rule, however, its disappearance may be said to 

 date from the time at which the hot winds set in, and it 

 is a fortunate thing for the grower that those little 

 pests cannot stand many of our real scorching hot days ; 

 but if the weather be cool and moist the insects may 

 remain on the trees, supposing no steps be taken to 

 suppress them, until the middle of December, or even 

 later. 



