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AFRICAN APHIDIDAE. 



By Fred. V. Theobald, M.A., F.E.S., Hon. F.R.I I. S. 



Our knowledge of the Aphididak of Africa is as yet very limited, this 

 important group of insects having been but little studied, except in Europe and 

 North America. At present only thirty-five speeies are recorded for the whole 

 African continent, about the number one can collect in a single afternoon in 

 one's own garden in England. It will be noticed that several common European 

 species are recorded, and that they are as destructive in Africa as in Europe, such 

 as the Common Cabbage Aphis (A. brassicae) and the Kibes and Lettuce; Aphis 

 (Rhopalosiphum lactucae). Several others occur which have a world-wide 

 distribution, such as the Black Peach Aphis (Aphis per sic ae), and the Woolly 

 Aphis (Eriosoma lanigerum), doubtless having been distributed on nursery 

 stock, the former as ova and the latter as adults. Fuller has reported des- 

 troying and fumigating strawberry plants attacked by Aphis sent from Europe, 

 and Lounsbury records the presence of Apple Aphis eggs on imported stock. 

 Undoubtedly these insects are constantly being distributed from country to 

 country with imported plants, trees and shrubs. 



Nine new species are described here for the first time. As I have seen only 

 formalin or spirit specimens the actual colours of the new species cannot be given. 

 It would be well for collectors to make a note on the general coloration of the 

 species they send. 



List of African Apiiididae. 



Macrosiphum lophospermum, sp. no v. 

 „ ly coper sicella, sp. nov. 



,, antirrhinum, Macchiate. 



,, granarivm, Kirby. 



,, rosae, Linnaeus. 



,, neavei, sp. nov. 



Macrosiphoniella bedfordi, sp. nov. 

 Rhopalosiphum lactucae, Kaltenbach. 



„ dianthi, Schrank. 



Aphis brassicae, Linnaeus. 

 „ sorghi, Theobald. 

 „ sorghella, Schouteden. 

 „ gossypii, Glover. 

 „ pomi, Reaumur. 

 „ tavaresi, Del Guercio. 

 „ solanella, sp. nov. 

 „ persicae, Boyer. 

 ,, liyustriella, sp. nov. 

 „ nigripes, sp. nov. 

 ?> fojfcac, Nietner. 

 „ nerii, Bover. 



