Insects and Their Control 
Aphids, or Plant Lice 
All aphids are true sucking insects that insert their 
beaks through the surface of the leaf or stem and 
extract the juices from within. 
INJURY. The feeding of aphids causes the plants to 
become sickly and stunted. The leaves curl inward, 
and when the flower terminal is infested, the blooms 
will be deformed. Certain varieties of chrysanthe- 
mums are more susceptible to attack than others. 
CONTROL. Nicofume Fumigation is an easy method 
of controlling the black aphid but will do very little 
to control the green or straw-colored aphids. Lin- 
dane or Parathion is much more effective on the very 
resistant green or straw-colored aphids. Vapotone 
is also effective when used at higher concentrations. 
Malathion good for control of aphid and spider mite. 
Chrysanthemum Leaf Miner 
The larva or maggot disfigures and weakens chrysan- 
themum plants by mining in the leaves. It may do con- 
siderable harm to the crop, but is easily held in check. 
INJURY. The young maggots burrow in the leaf tissue, 
leaving the upper and lower surfaces intact. The 
tunnels are irregular and winding. White blotches 
are thus formed, which later turn brown, and the 
leaves may die. 
CONTROL. As soon as it is noticed that any leaves 
are infested, they should be picked off. Parathion or 
Aphids 
68 
TEPP aerosol bombs or sprays, containing Lindane, 
Chlordane or Parathion, are very effective. 
Chrysanthemum Midge 
The chrysanthemum midge is one of the most serious 
pests with which the grower has to deal. Under opti- 
mum conditions, a little over a month is required to 
complete the life cycle from the egg to the adult. The 
eggs are reddish-orange in color and are usually 
deposited on the tender tips of the growth. Under fav- 
orable conditions, the eggs hatch in about three days. 
The larva wanders about over the surface of the leaf 
for a day or two before finally penetrating into the 
leaf. 
INJURY. The midge attacks all parts of the plant but 
prefers the tender growth. If the infestation takes 
place when the plants are small, they fail to grow, 
although if the plants are well-developed when the 
infestation starts, the buds blight or are deformed, 
and the plant is rendered unsalable. 
CONTROL. Lindane is effective against young and 
adults. 
Parathion aerosols effective, but require frequent 
applications, 
DDT effective against adults—repeated applications 
necessary, 
Midge Injury 
