91 



CHAPTER XV. 



INJURIES SIMILAR TO THOSE CAUSED BY THE VASTATOR, 

 PRODUCED BY OTHER APHIDES. 



Aphides, numerous species of (375). Aphis of the hop (376). 

 Aphis of the cabbage and turnip (377). Aphis of the pea (378). 

 Instance of mischief by [Kirby] (379). Bean aphis (380). 

 Apple-tree aphis (381). Sugar-cane (382). Aphis of larch 

 (383). Rose-tree aphis (384). Aphis on couch-grass (385). 

 Aphides generally (386).' 



(375.) THE species comprised in the family " Aphides" 

 are a sad pest to the human race. It is quite uncertain 

 how many there are,* for abstract science is so little ap- 

 preciated, so little cared for or encouraged, that few can 

 afford to spend their time in watching an Aphis ; and thus, 

 when great calamities come, men see not the cause, because 

 they know not the insect. 



(376.) The Aphis of the hop lives upon the leaves of 

 that plant, and does so much damage, that in bad years its 

 ravages will cause a reduction in the value of hops pro- 

 duced in Great Britain amounting to very near 3,000,0007. 

 sterling. This year the insects threatened to destroy th e 

 crop, but suddenly a thunder storm swept every one of 

 them from the face of the plantations, and so thoroughly 

 were they annihilated, that when I sent to Kent to procure 

 some specimens of this species, I received answer that 

 there were none to be found. 



* Stephens, in his " Systematic Catalogue of British Insects," has 

 recorded forty-nine named species of the genus Aphis alone, and 

 others appertaining to the several cognate genera. 



