APPLE INSECTS OF MAINE. 1 29 



when older devour the whole pulp of the leaf, leaving only the 

 veins and midrib. They feed for about four weeks, and when 

 numerous so injure the foliage as to give the trees the appear- 

 ance of having been scorched with fire. They have done great 

 damage to the foliage of trees along highways. While letting 

 themselves down to the ground they are often swept off by car- 

 riages and carried long distances. 



The larvse enter the ground, spin cocoons and are changed 

 immediately into the chrysalis state, from which, during the fall, 

 winter and following spring, they emerge in the perfect form, 

 completing' the life history. 



Remedies. 



Since the females are wingless, they may be trapped and 

 destroyed by placing bands of tarred paper about the trunks of 

 the trees and smearing these with printer's ink, tar mixed with 

 oil, or refuse molasses. As these materials soon dry, however, 

 they must be frequently renewed, or the insects will be able to 

 cross. Tin or lead troughs, containing crude petroleum, are 

 also used with some success. The most effective treatment, 

 however, is to spray with Paris green, just as soon as the insects 

 appear. Delay in applying the poison is often fatal to success. 



There are numerous natural enemies, including a small mite, 

 which destroys the eggs ; a species of Microgaster, — a small 

 four-winged fly, — parasitic upon the larvae ; and a species of 

 tachina fly, also parasitic upon the larvse. 



THE APPLE TREE APHIS. Aphis mdi, Fabr. 



This insect was originally from Europe, but is now a pest in 

 apple orchards throughout the northern United States and 

 Canada, often causing serious losses in young orchards and 

 nurseries. 



Description. 



Eggs. — Minute, oval, light yellow or greenish when first laid, gradually 

 changing to shining black. 



Young Insects (male). — Head, thorax and antennae black; neck usually 

 green ; abdomen short, thick, oval, bright green ; sides with row of black 

 spots; nectaries and tail-like appendages black; wings transparent with 

 dark brown veins. 



