NiiSTH Report of the State Entomologist 371 



the aphides give out, through the two honey-tubes that may be eeen 

 projecting backward from the upper side of their abdomen. 



Aphides and Myriapods, as Aster and Lily Pests, 



A correspondent from Central New York has made inquiry of 

 remedies for protection from some pests attacking lilies and asters. 



It is important and desirable that in all cases where information of the 

 kind is desired, that the insect complained of should accompany the 

 inquiry. It may be possible that from the few descriptive words con- 

 tained in an inquiry, recommendation of some general method may be 

 made which is available against many insects of the family; but there 

 are special remedies often to be employed for certain insects, and for this, 

 specific determination of the pest of which complaint is made, is all 

 important. Such positive determination might often, as in the 

 present instance, in its contributing to our knowledge of our insect 

 pests, more than compensate for the time expended in replies returned 

 possessing no special scientific value. 



Last year my aster plants, after growing finely, became yellow and 

 ceased to make progress. On pulling up several, I found the roots 

 covered with very minute white objects, and working actively among 

 them were myriads of red ants. The white creatures possessed life 

 and motion. This spring I find the same ruinous condition about the 

 roots of self-sowm seedling asters. What can I do ? 



My lilies suffer from the attack of small worms which eat into the 

 «talk below the surface. The worms aie as slender as pins, half an 

 inch long, varying in color from white to shiny brown, with two con- 

 spicuous antennae, and an infinite number of legs. The lilies are some- 

 times cut down by them when the stalks are as big as my thumb and 

 full of flower-buds. Is there a method of extermination ? 



The aster insect is probably a root-feeding plant-louse or aphis. 

 Professor Thomas has described a form living on roots of asters and the 

 iron-weed, and varying in color from leaden-gray to white. As this 

 species bears conspicuous honey-tubes, the ants associated with "the 

 minute white objects " may have been drawn thither to feed on the 

 honey-dew secreted by the aphides. Professor Thomas named the 

 species A2:)his Middletonri n. sp.* Mr. G. W. Oestlund, in writing of 

 this aphis as observed by him in Minnesota, refers to "the ants which 

 were always found to attend this species." \ 



The root-inhabiting plant-lice may be killed by removing the ground 

 from over the roots until they are exposed, and drenching them with 

 soap-suds, tobacco water, or pyrethrum water. Hot water poured over 



* Eighth Report of the Insects of Illinois, 1879, page 99. 



t Bulletin No. 4, of the Geological and Natural History Survey of Minnesota. Synopsis of 

 the Aphididce of Minnesota, 1887, page 55. 



