Red Spider. 233 



RED SPIDER. 



Red spider is, perhaps, the most destructive of all the insects which 

 the horticulturist has to combat. Being small, and confining its first 

 attacks to the under side of the leaves, it is not easy of recognition in 

 its early stages of development : but, in a very short time, foliage attacked 

 by it assumes a sickly, yellowish appearance on the upper surface, and the 

 parts immediately over the spots where the insect is at work become 

 dotted with a number of minute whitish specks if the leaves are those of 

 the peach or fig tree ; but, if they are those of the vine, the specks are of a 

 yellowish hue. These specks or dots increase in size until the whole leaf 

 acquires a yellow and mature appearance ; and, its powers of exhalation 

 and inhalation being destroyed, it falls off. The small specks or dots on 

 the upper surface of the leaves are the best evidence of the presence of red 

 spider ; and, if the under side of such leaves be examined, there will be 

 observed between the principal nerves a number of minute specks or dots. 

 These, on being touched with the point of a pin, will be seen to move 

 about at a rapid rate ; and, if observed with the aid of a lens, they will be 

 found to be in constant motion, busy on that part of the leaf, which they 

 have, for greater security, enveloped in a network of the finest threads 

 conceivable. If measures be not taken to check the spread of the insect 

 on its first appearance, it will rapidly wrap the leaf in a fine network, and 

 will not cease its work of destruction until the juices of the leaf have been 

 so completely exhausted, that it becomes totally incapable of performing 

 any of its functions, and falls off. 



It is well to remember that the leaf of a vine or other plant may have 

 every appearance of being attacked by red spider, and yet that the insect 

 may not be present ; for the upper surface of a pardy-scorched leaf has 

 much the same aspect as one suffering from red spider ; but, instead of 

 specks or dots, scorched leaves usually exhibit blotches : besides, in addi- ■ 

 tion to the dots on the upper surface, there are others corresponding to 

 them on the under surface ; and when there are both, and those on the 

 under side move when touched, it is certain that the leaves are not 

 scorched, but infested with red spider. 



VOL. 1. 30 



