REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST 



429 



large leaf, the average number this year would be two hundred and 

 fifty.] 



Reports of unusual abundance of aphides on fruit-trees came from 

 the following counties, indicating that they were not confined to any 

 particular part of the State: Westchester (on apple and cherry in 

 June), Dutchess, Schoharie (buds literally covered in June), Schenec- 

 tady, Chenango (on apples and pears in May), Oneida and Onondaga 

 in May, Madison, Oswego, and Chautauqua. 



Of the hop vine aphis, Phorodon hamuli, the most severe injury 

 seems to have been caused in the southern part of Dutchess county, 

 where hop yards were entirely stripped, save here and there a black- 

 ened, perforated leaf of a new shoot. Nothing was done to stop the 

 ravages of the insect; so quickly did it do its work that it was almost 

 done before it was discovered. The crop is an entire failure (New York 

 State Weather Crop Bulletin, July 8, 1893). In Madison county the 

 destruction of the crop was threatened in early July, but a more favor- 

 able condition was reported later. Spraying was resorted to in several 

 of the counties — in Franklin and others — with gratifying results 

 (Report of the Entomologist to the Regents of the University of the 

 State of New York for the year 1893). 



Are Aphides Eaten by Spiders? 



Mr. Charles A. Green has sent, with inquiry of its correctness, the 

 following published statement of D. C. Keller: "Spiders protect fruit- 

 trees from aphides. I have fed spiders in captivity, and have found 

 aphides to be their natural food." 



That spiders feed on aphides has never come under my observation, 

 nor do I remember any record of such habit. 



The utility of spiders in the destruction of aphides could alone be 

 established by reliable observations made under natural conditions. 

 The fact of spiders in captivity, in the absence of other food, feeding 

 on plant-lice would be of no economic importance. We would expect 

 them to do so, as well as to prey upon any other small insects furnished 

 them. 



It is not possible that plant-lice can be the natural food of spiders, or 

 the fact would have been observed and reported over and over again 

 during the close studies that have been made of these pests of our 

 gardens and orchards and grain fields. They find their natural enemies 

 in the lady-bugs and their larvae (Coccinellida3)> and in species of the 

 lace- winged fly (Chrysopa). If the plant-lice abounded on forest trees* 



