302 DESTRUCTIVE INSECTS. 



those yellow spots on the sward often visible in 

 autumn. 



Thrips. Are a very small apterous insect, about 

 one third of a line in length, resembling- an aphis ; 

 having two lateral appendages instead of wings. They 

 gnaw the cuticle of the leaves, and extract the juices 

 in the same way as the red acarus, with which they 

 are often associated in hot houses. They are got rid 

 of by the same means, though with more difficulty 

 than the latter insect. 



Formica. Ants are sometimes useful, and occa- 

 sionally hurtful to plants. Wherever the aphides are 

 seated, there also are ants busy ; they collect the 

 honey-dew voided by the former, and if there be not 

 a full supply of that substance they take the young 

 insects themselves. In this they are serviceable to 

 gardeners. But in early forced peach-houses, for 

 want of other food, they betake themselves to the 

 blossoms, and eat or gnaw off the filaments, to the 

 manifest injury of the flowers, and consequently of 

 the fruit. 



Forflcula. Earwigs are well known to be injuri- 

 ous to both flowers and fruit. They, the ant, and the 

 wood louse ( Oniscus) are easily entrapped by placing 

 hollow tubes, baited with sugared water, near their 

 haunts. 



Gooseberry and Currant Moths. The caterpillars 

 of these insects are particularly destructive to these 

 small fruits. Lime water repeatedly applied, and the 

 ground under the trees dug to bury the fallen cater- 



