88 
Aphis rumicis, Linn. The bean aphis. 
This is said to be one of the most injurious species of the entire 
group, not confining its attacks to a single plant, but spreading its 
colonies over a variety of species, on which account it has received a 
number of different specific names, which Mr. Walker has enumerated 
as follows: A. rumicis , Linn.; A craccce , Linn.; A. atriplicis , Linn.; 
A. fctbce, Scop.; A. genistce , Scop.; A. acetosa , Linn.; A. aparines , Fabr.; 
A. euonymi, Fabr.; A. papaveris , Fabr.; A. hortensis , Fabr.; A. vicce, 
Fabr.; A. chenopodii, Schrank ; A. thlaspeas, Schrank; A. galliscabri, 
Schon.; A. armata , Hans.; M. laburni , Kalt.; M. dahliae , Mas.* 
These names indicate the different plants on which it has been ob¬ 
served—as the dock ( Rumex ), the tufted vetch ( vicia cracca), the gar¬ 
den orache ( Atriplex ), the bean (Faba ), the dyers broom (Genista), 
the field sorrel (Rumex acetosa), the bedstraw (Galium aparine), the 
burning bush (Euonymus), the poppy (Papaver), the pigweed (Cheno- 
po(Hum), the shepherd’s purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris ), the dahlia 
(Dahlioe). They also show that not only is it not confined to a single 
species, or a single genus of plants, but feeds alike on those belong¬ 
ing even to different orders, thus setting at naught what is consider¬ 
ed as an inflexible rule in regard to all other species. I think it more 
than probable the facts presented by this will ultimately lead to a 
more thorough examination of other species, and show that many 
which are now considered as distinct species are but varieties. 
It may be asked, How is it known that these various supposed 
species are but varieties of but one species? By the peculiar marks 
and characteristics which distinguish it from all other species. Yet it 
it is possible that some of these are after all distinct, and that Koch 
is right in restoring them to their position as such. 
Winged females glossy black, one-twelfth of an inch to the tip of 
the abdomen, and one-sixth of an inch to the tips of the closed wings; 
antennae shorter than the body, (Dr. Fitch says half the length of 
the body, but this appears to be the minimum, as it is sometimes 
nearly as long as the body,) indistinctly seven-jointed, third longest, 
sixth shortest of all, except the first two. The ovipositor distinct; 
honey-tubes, short but distinct. Legs black tibiae pale. Wings pellu¬ 
cid, veins slender and dusky, third vein abortive at the base. 
The wingless females are also black; the abdomen frequently 
showing witish powdqry dots along each side of the back. It is 
the pupa that presents the peculiar and marked character of the spe¬ 
cies. When this state is fully attained it equals in length the body 
of the winged individuals; is oval in shape, with the sides near¬ 
ly parellel, the anterior end bluntly rounded and the end of the abdomen 
tapered to an obtusely attenuated point. The head varies in color, from 
black to dull green or olive, dusted over with white powder; thorax, with 
the anterior half, narrow, black and powdered; posterior half twice 
the width of the anterior part, dark greenish or olive color; the 
abdomen black, with white pruinose (or powdered) spots along each 
side of the back. The eggs, when first deposited, are greenish, but soon 
become black; are very minute, regularly oval, and not more than one 
fiftieth of an inch long. 
* Note. — Koch has removed several of these as distinct, and Walker has accepted the 
change in the supplement to his catalogue. 
. _ * 
