10 PbOVI1{CIAL BoAED of HrtRTICUl.TURE. 1897 



Black Aphis {Myzus cerasi) is also common throughout the Province, often seriously 



checking the young growth of the cherry trees. It winters over in the egg 



Cherry Aphis, stage, and its life history is similar to that of the green aphis. It is found 



more difficult to kill by spraying than green aphis, but a thorough use of any 



one of sprays 2, 6, or 7 will keep it in check. Spray No. 1 should be used to destroy the 



eggs during the dormant season. 



The Currant Aphis (Myzus ribis) is another form of aphis very common in Lower British 



Columbia and generally reported. It is yellowish in colour, and is found on the under sides 



of the leaves of currant bushes, which become' curled and blistered. 



Currant Aphis. They migrate during the summer, but return later on, and their eggs are 



deposited on the stems, especially around the buds. Spray with the No. 1 



mixture to destroy the eggs in the winter months, and with either of sprays No. 2, 6, or 7 in 



the growing season, directing the spray so that the under sides of the leaves are reached. It 



is most important that the work should be done early in the season, before they become too 



numerous, and the leaves roll up so that sprays cannot reach them. 



The Mealy Plum Aphis (Aphis prunifolia) is a species of aphis which attacks the young 



shoots and under sides of the leaves of plum and prune trees. It is widely 



Plum Aphis, distributed throughout the Province, and is particularly injurious in the 



Okanagan "District ; many trees were found completely . covered with the 



pest during the two past seasons, checking the growth of the trees and the development of 



the fruit. 



When first hatched they are whitish in colour, but as they increase in size they become 

 darker. The insects and infested leaves are covered with a whitish powder. 



Their life history is similar to that of the green aphis, and the remedies used for that 

 pest should be applied, taking care to wet the under sides of the leaves, and repeat the^ 

 spraying to insure the destruction of the pests. 



The Cabbage Aphis (Aphis brassicoe) is generally reported and is the most injurious 



insect enemy of plants of the cabbage family found in the Province. The past two seasons 



The Cabbage J*""''^ ^^^'^ ''®''y ^^''^ ^"^^ favourable to the development of this pest, so that 



Aphis. ^^""g^ quantities of cabbage, cauliflower, turnips, etc., have been completely 



spoiled by it, especially on the Islands. It is also found on wild cruciferous 



plants, such as wild mustard. It has much the same general appearance as the apple aphis 



with the addition of a whitish, mealy coating. ' 



During the summer months the young are born alive, but in the fall true males and 

 females are developed, and eggs deposited upon the leaves and stalks of its food plants Prom 

 this It follows that cabbage stalks and other plant remnants should be used up or destroyed as 

 well as weeds upon which the pests feed, as a preventive measure. ' 



The most useful summer spray against this pest is the quassia and soap wash (No 2^ 

 No. 6 IS also effective, but these remedies, while quite practical for garden crops, would be too 

 costly for use on field crops, especially in dry seasons. In the garden plenty of water can ' 

 generally be used to keep the plants in ^ thriving condition, and this is quite as important as 

 the spraying. ^ 



