Che Canadum Entomologist. 
NOIR, LONDON, ONT., JULY, 1873. No. 7 
OBSERVATIONS: ON CERTAIN PLANT LICE OF THE 
GENUS APIs. 
BY THOMAS G. GENTRY, GERMANTOWN, PA. 
That the Aphides in the spring time are wingless, virgin females, is an 
opinion that has been carefully entertained by some of the most 
distinguished naturalists and physiologists in the world. Bonnet, 
Reaumur, Owen, Huxley, &c., have especially studied this interesting 
class of insects, and have given expression to the above opinion in their 
writings. But this, there are strong reasons for asserting, must be taken 
in a restricted sense, so far, at any rate, as our own Aphide are 
‘concerned. 
Whilst engaged recently in an examination of a species which was 
observed feeding upon the leaves and tender shoots of Rumex crispus, 
with the view of testing its manner and rate of reproduction, several 
clusters of the insect were met with, each of which, contrary to expecta- 
tion, contained one or two winged specimens. These, in addition to the 
possession of wings, differed still further from the apterous ones in the 
superior length of the antennæ, and in the remarkable fulness of the 
thorax above; this fulness being undoubtedly necessary for the attach- 
ment of the wings and the muscles by which they are controlled. In 
color the wingless specimens were entirely jet black, which, however, in 
those endowed with the power of flight, was somewhat relieved by the 
presence of a light fulvous annulus upon each antenna and tibia. 
The presence of wings in some of the specimens at this season of the 
o 
year, in view of the assertions of naturalists to the contrary, would seem 
to imply the existence of males. This impression does seem to be further 
heightened and strengthened by comparison with drawings of the male 
8 Mi | 
rose Aphis in “ Duncan’s Transformation of Insects.” To be assured 
