6o NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Potato aphis (Macrosiphum solanifolii Ashm.) • The 

 spring and early summer of 19 18 was very similar to that of 19 17. 

 These conditions favor the multiplication of the potato aphis and, 

 as last year, the insect began to attract notice toward the end of 

 June in the southern part of the State, particularly on Long Island 

 and in Orange and Rockland counties. The infestation was some- 

 what general though at that date did not appear to be serious. 

 Early in July considerable damage was reported from Rockland 

 county and entire fields were killed in Nassau county. The tomato 

 crop was also threatened. About the middle of July the aphids 

 became abundant in Dutchess cotmty and were also reported from 

 Madison county. About July 20th it caused somewhat serious 

 injury in the Hudson valley, north of Greene county, and a week 

 later was present though not generall}^ serious in Columbia county. 



The breeding of this insect is so closely related to weather conditions 

 that one might almost forecast injury during a period when unusually 

 low temperatures and moist conditions prevail. Potato aphids 

 thrive at such times and their natural enemies can not develop with 

 equal rapidity, consequently an important check is, for the time at 

 least, held in abeyance. 



Plant lice attack may be recognized by the edges of young leaves 

 turning downward and after a short time the foliage shrivels and we 

 have the characteristic dying condition. This progresses from the 

 top downward and in very seriously infested fields all the foliage may 

 rapidly succumb, part of this being very likely due to plant diseases 

 as well as to insect injuries. 



The potato aphis is very injurious to. tomatoes since a serious 

 infestation results in the bloom dropping without the setting of fruit, 

 and as this occurs with the earlier blossoms, the loss is frequently 

 considerable. Egg plants and peppers are also severely damaged, 

 the plant lice working, as in the case of the tomato, on the underside 

 of the leaves and the greatest injury likewise resulting from the 

 attack upon the blossoms and the blossom stem. 



Early and thorough spraying with a nicotine soap preparation is 

 the best control measure. Use three-fourths of a pint (40 per cent 

 nicotine) to 100 gallons of water to which are added 6 to 8 pounds of 

 any cheap soap. The one essential is to spray thoroughly from the 

 underside so as to drench all the insects. Several sprayings are 

 sometimes necessary. 



CORN AND GRASS INSECTS 

 Com is one of our most important farm crops. It has been 



