329 



In January, 1889, we observed the seed heads of carrots in a garden 

 near Hobart, Tasmania, thickly populated by a species of Rhopalosiptium.* 



On October 3, 1888, 1 found several carrots in a field near La Fayette, 

 Ind., infested with an Aphis which Dr. Riley found to closely resemble 

 A. plantaginis, and also a species which occurs in the vicinity of Wash- 

 ington, D. C, on the roots of Portulaca. At this time those observed 

 by me were clustered on the bases of the leaf stalks and also on the 

 fibrous rootlets. A few days later, what appeared to be the same species 

 was found on the roots of Portulaca oleracea, and specimens from both 

 this and the carrot were placed in a breeding cage, where both plants 

 were accessible. So far, I had only observed wingless individuals, and 

 these seemed to be all females ; at least I saw no males. Soon after the 

 28th of October the females in the breeding cage began to deposit eggs 

 on both carrot and Portulaca. This was continued up to the 5th of 

 November, when I was called away for several weeks, and on my re- 

 turn, November 26, all had disappeared. 



The eggs were light-colored immediately after deposition, but soon 

 became shining black, like those of Aphis mali, but were rather smaller. 

 As I left home soon after for an absence of several months, no oppor- 

 tunity was offered to watch the development of the eggs. 



On August 15, 1889, the same species was found, both on the rootlets 

 of carrot several inches below ground and also on the roots of Portulaca 

 oleracea. On the 23d of the same mouth apterous individuals were ob- 

 served on the roots of the latter plant, and among them a winged fe- 

 male. 



October 16, examples, differently colored, but seemingly belonging to 

 this species, were found on salsify. Although the attempt was made 

 to rear them on this plant, the result proved a failure, and neither eggs 

 nor winged individuals of either sex were obtained. So far I have ob- 

 served no serious injury to carrots or salsify by reason of the attacks 

 of these insects. — f F. M. Webster, February 15, 1890. 



MORE INSECTS INJURING THE TEA-PLANT IN CEYLON. 



Mr. E. Ernest Green, of Eton, Punduloya, Ceylon, has sent us the 

 continuation of the articles which he is publishing in the Oeylon Inde- 

 pendent upon the above subject. The first nine installments are re- 

 viewed upon pages 192-193 of No. 6 of the current volume of Insect 

 Life. The additional insects treated are as follows : 



The Tea Aphis (Aphis sp,): This insect is a much darker species than 

 the one which occurs upon coffee, and frequently damages seedling 

 plants in the nurseries and the young shoots first thrown out after prun- 

 ing. The remedies recommended are kerosene emulsion, 1 part to 80 

 parts of water ; phenyle, 1 part to 240 parts of water. The natural 

 enemies mentioned are : Syrphid flies, Chrysopus, Lady-birds, a wasp 

 of the genus Bhopalum, and an Aphidiid parasite. 



* Insect Life, Vol. I, p. 362. 



