Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1893-07-01
THE WOOALY LICE OF THE
APPLE.
A Paper OF Material Interest to Ne.
Vada Farmers.

Diagmosis-Apple trees infested
by masses of woolly bodied lice about
the scars of amputated limbs, along
the sides of the smaller twigs, and at
the axis of leaves; the white hoccu-
lent matter easily blown away by the
breath disclosing the brown bodies
of the lice.
Thus we may identify the insect
commonly known throughout the
country as the Woolly Aphis. At
this season of the year these insects
become very numerous. The dry eli
mate of Nevada is exceedingly favor
able to their rapid multiplication and
longevity. Very early in spring
small colonies of these insects may
be found in protected places on the
trunk and limbs OF the apple tree.
These colonies have been founded by
few individuals which have sur
vived the winter, protected by the
roughness of the Bark caused by
their own activity the preceding
year. AS the season advances these
colonies become larger. Individuals
separate from their companions and
establish new colonies, until at this
time it is an easy matter to find sim
gle branches of an apple tree sup
porting a vast number of these pests.
AS the greater number of those to be
found at this date are wingless their
dissemination would appear to be
limited; however, later in the season
there appear many individuals pro-
vided with wings. Through these
the rapidity of dissemination is great
ly increased. The injury produced
by these insects lies in their strength
of numbers. The myriads of them,
each industriously withdra wing the
trees sap, serve to reduce the trees
vitality very materially. They seek
the tenderest parts and hence grow
ing twigs are dwarfed and old
wounds. ARE kept open. A young ap-
pie twig before me is furrowed by
deep scar extending distace of sew
eral inches and including the great
er part of the circumference. In its
struggle for existence barely enough
nourishing sap has run the gauntlet
of insect foes to supply a few stunt
ed leaves and to increase the length
of the twig to some extent. These
twigs never fully recover from the
effects of such an attack. Their early
growth is checked by a reduction of
the food supply; but worse than this,
their injured bark is unable to carry
a normal amount of nourish1nent
ever after.
These insects cannot be eradicated
easily, if at all except within re-
stricted limits; however, they. may
be kept within the limits of compar-
atively non-ini furious numbers. The
use of white wash and paint applied
locally, cases of which have come
under the notice of the writer in diff
terent parts of Reno, is effective 50
far as it goes, but it is not sufficiently
far reaching. A more effective course
is to apply some liquid that will kill
the insects by contact, without in
Jury to the tree. Thus it is seen that
a tree poison is not demanded. Ker-
osene emulsion, decoction formed
from refuse tobacco, or strong car
bolic soapsuds will Destroy the in
sects, and if applied periodically will
effectually keep them in check. Re
peated application is necessary. In
short, these pests must be killed and
kept killed. A force-pump is abso-
lutely necessary in the application
of these remedies. The tree under
treatment must be thoroughly wet
ted and by no other means can this
be accomplished.
illustrated bulletin No. IT of this
station treats of this pest and will
be sent to any address upon applica-
ton. f. II. HILLMAN.
Agricultural Experiment Sta ion,
Reno, Nevada, June 18th, 1893.