324 Insect Pests. 



PEACH APHIDES. 



{Aphis amydali, Fous. ; Myzus persicce, Pons. ; Aphis amygdalinus, 

 Sellout. ; and Ehopalosiphum dianthi, Schrk.) 



At least four species of aphis attack the peach iu this country, 

 but as they have not been properly worked out, little had better be 

 said concerning them. 



They attack tlie foliage, and especially the tips of the shoots, and 

 cause the leaves to curl up and fall prematurely. 



According to what I have seen the common species is the Aphis 

 amygdali, Fonscolombe, which also attacks nectarines and apricots. 

 It may be found in April and May as apterous viviparous females, 

 yellowish in colour, variegated with browns, paler ochreous legs 

 with brown tarsi; the cornicles are short and brown, except at the 

 base ; the pupa is green with rusty stains, and pale green wing cases 

 and pale brown legs. The winged female is rusty yellow, with a 

 black head and thoracic markings ; the abdomen with a large dark 

 area towards the apex and four lateral black spots and black cornicles, 

 thickened at their bases ; the legs are dark ochreous with black apex 

 to the femora and black tarsi. One marked character is the presence 

 of small papillae on the last two rings on the under surface. 



This aphis leaves the peach in summer and returns in autumn. 

 It also feeds on the sloe, and Buckton has found it on the tobacco 

 plant. 



That it leaves the peach we are well aware, but its migrant 

 habits are not fully known. 



Bhopcdosiplmm dianthi, Schrank, also occurs on the peach, and is 

 usually found there in late summer and autumn. It feeds upon a 

 host of other plants, and at present we cannot say anything definite 

 regarding it. 



The wingless female is shiny green, ochreous red to brownish- 

 yellow, with green cornicles with black tips. 



The winged female has a shiny reddish-yellow abdomen with 

 dark markings, one a large spot in the middle, some trans\'erse 

 lines and four lateral spots. 



Treatment. 



The only treatment necessary is spraying with soft soap and 

 quassia, and it must be done frequently. 



The use of paraffin emulsion for these insects on peach, apricot 

 and nectarine should be discarded, as the delicate foliage cannot stand 

 this treatment. 



