HANDBOOK OX INSECT ENEMIES OF FLOWERS AND SHRUBS 87 



Another species, Epinotia nanana 

 (Treit.), occurs in the Eastern States 

 and has somewhat similar habits, ex- 

 cept that its webbed nests occur in the 

 more exposed parts of the trees. The 

 dried mined needles webbed together 

 give the tree an unhealthy and un- 

 sightly appearance. The full-grown 

 larva is about %e inch long, the body 

 varying in color from dirty white to 

 reddish. The moth is smoky brown. 



A third species, Recurvaria piceaella 

 Kearf., is recorded as attacking Colora- 

 do blue. Norway, red, and white spruces 

 and is distributed from Maine to 

 Colorado. The full-grown larvae are 

 about 5 /ie inch long, reddish to light 

 cinnamon brown, with a light-brown 

 head. 



Treatment. — Washing the webs 

 loose from the trees by means of a 

 forcible stream of water from a garden 

 hose is a very effective way to control 

 these insects. Begin at the uppermost 

 webs on the tree and work downward 

 until all webs and loose needles have 

 been washed to the ground, and then 

 immediately remove and destroy them. 

 This treatment should be given in 

 March before the leaf buds begin 

 swelling or in late fall before cold 

 weather sets in. Spraying in late sum- 

 mer, when the larvae are still small, 

 with lead arsenate or with a combina- 

 tion of lead arsenate and nicotine is also 

 useful. 



SWEET PEA 



Among the pests attacking sweet pea, 

 which are listed below, red spiders, 

 aphids, and plant- bugs are usually the 

 worst. These pests are discussed on 

 the pages indicated. 



Page 



Red spiders .. 11 



Potato aphid 75 



Pea aphid 9 



Root aphids _ _ 21 



Tarnished plant hug 35 



Four-lined plant bug 94 



Spotted cucumber beetle .. 7 



Greenhouse leaf tier 5 



Cut worms 2 



Corn earworm .. . 29 



Sowbugs 17 



TULIP 



Tulip Bulb Aphid 



When the outer scales of flowering 

 bulbs, such as tulip, freesia, iris, lily, 

 gladiolus, and crocus, become shriveled 

 and turn brown while in storage and are 

 covered with masses of grayish waxlike 

 plant lice (fig. 148), the tulip bulb aphid 

 (Anuraphis tulipae (Fonsc.)) is usually 

 at work. It also sucks the vital juices 

 from the new and developing shoots 



Figure 148. — Tulip bulb aphids feed- 

 ing on an iris bulb. About 2M times 

 natural size. 



that are produced while the bulbs are 

 stored. This causes the subsequent 

 growth to become weakened, stunted. 

 and sickly, so that poor flowers are 

 produced. This aphid is brought into 

 storage when the stocks are harvested, 

 and under favorable conditions it multi- 

 plies rapidly, so that an infestation soon 

 spreads over all the stored bulbs. 



Treatment. — Immersing the infested 

 bulbs or roots in water at a temperature 

 of 110° F. for 30 minutes is an effective 

 treatment. Calculate the treating pe- 

 riod from the time the water regains a 

 temperature of 110° F. after the bulbs 

 have been placed in the bath. L'se an 

 accurate thermometer to check the 

 water temperature during the treat- 

 ment. Maintain an even temperature 

 by adding more hot water as needed. 

 For treating large quantities it is ad- 

 visable to use apparatus that is spe- 

 cially designed for this purpose and 

 equipped with an agitator and thermo- 

 static control. If the bulbs or roots are 

 not to be planted soon after treatment, 

 they should be thoroughly dried before 

 they are returned to storage. 



Dusting the infested bulbs thoroughly 

 with a 2-percent nicotine dust and then 

 covering them loosely with a cloth to 

 confine the fumes for several hours is 

 also useful. 



To kill the insects on dormant bulbs, 

 especially when large quantities are to 

 be treated, fumigate them in a tight 

 box or chamber with hydrocyanic acid 

 gas for 2 hours, using 2 ounces of the 



