212 -? obi t- fifth Report on tee State Museum. 



m inute insect that deposits its eggs within the plant-louse — may 

 readily be recognized by the aphis becoming greatly swollen in size and 

 rounded, and changing to a pale brown color. 



In the absence of parasitic attack, Professor Forbes, as the result of 

 experiments, recommends the following: 



Sprinkling the underside of the leaves with road dust. In experi- 

 ments, where it adhered, the insects were killed, or disappeared. 



Dusting the underside of the leaves by means of a powder bellows, 

 with pyrethrum powder. After twenty-four hours all the insects had 

 fallen from the leaves, and were dead and dried up. 



Spraying with a kerosene emulsion killed all it reached, and cleared 

 many leaves entirely. 



Tobacco smoke, forced by means of a common bee-smoker, under 

 large pieces of canvas (hay-caps) covering a section of the plants, and 

 keeping the space beneath well filled with smoke for ten minutes, killed 

 Beventy-five per cent of the insects. 



For garden use, where the plants are comparatively few, the last- 

 named remedy is deemed the most feasible. 



It is advisable whenever this attack occurs, to destroy the old vines 

 and leaves, within which the insect may be hibernating, and not to 

 grow the same crop on the same ground the following season. 



The muskmelon " shoots " submitted, show a different and a quite 

 interesting form of attack, in which the smaller leaves have been trans- 

 formed into small, irregular, subovate, downy galls. These have given 

 out their insects, which are found to be a species of Cecidomyia. As I 

 can find no mention of Cecidomyia attack on any of the Cucurbitacece, 

 the insect is probably new to science. If it proves to be so, it might 

 appropriately be named Cecidomyia cucumeris. It will be noticed 

 hereafter. (C. G., for September 27, 1888.) 



Melon and Strawberry Pests: Aphis cucumeris and Corimeljena 



pulicaria. 



Eds. Country Gentleman. — Be kind enough to inform me how to 

 prevent lice from eating cantaloupe or cucumber vines; and, if spraying 

 will do any good, what to spray with to destroy the insects and not 

 injure the vines. There is also an insect that stings the stem of straw- 

 berry blossoms about half an inch from the carp; then they dry up 

 and fall off. Is there anything to prevent this ? 



H. H. 



Wellham's Cross Roads, Md. 



