Chapter IX 

 INSECT PESTS AND REMEDIES 



Enemies 0/ House Plants 



INSECTS, when they appear on house plants, are 

 ••• generally the result of sickness and not the cause, 

 although if allowed to remain and multiply they will 

 quickly complete the destruction of the plant. They 

 are not, as a rule, the source of much trouble to house 

 plants and are of a kind that may be easily destroyed. 



Aphis 



Aphis (green fly or lice) are the most common. They 

 attack the soft, succulent tips of the shoots and the 

 young leaves and so may often be immersed in the 

 insecticide by bending the tips of the shoots down into 

 it. This, when practicable, is a most effective way. 

 If spraying is resorted to care should be taken to see 

 that every insect is covered with the liquid. 



Thrips 



Are less common, but when present are very de- 

 structive; they attack the under side of many smooth- 

 leaved plants, but readily succumb to the Soap 

 Spray mixture, mentioned on page 138, when applied. 

 The adult insect resembles a tiny flea even to its hop. 



Red Spider 

 Is the most destructive and the most difficult to 



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