fyt $jmdkq Jlntomolai&bt. 



Vol. XLI. GUELPH, SEPTEMBER, 1909. No. 9. 



DOWNY PSYLLID OF ALDER, PSYLLA FZOCCOSA, NEW 



SPECIES.* 



BY EDITH M. PATCH, ORONO, MAINE. 



The Psyllid under consideration has been conspicuous upon the alder 

 (Alnus incana, Willd.) each season during my acquaintance with the 

 vicinity of Orono, Maine. As the host-plant is looked upon as a common 

 nuisance, no attention has been paid to this insect from an economic 

 standpoint, and no further thought was given it except to admire the 

 plumy appearance of the alder tips during June, or to be annoyed because 

 it was impossible to go through this growth without being covered by the 

 somewhat sticky fiocculent matter. 



This Psyllid was found to be convenient to use in connection with a 

 study in wing venation,! but it was not until that paper was about ready 

 for press that I tried to determine the species, and found that it was 

 undescribed, for America at least. The Psyllid was named in that paper, 

 and the description held until the present season should give opportunities 

 for a few colour and life-history notes. 



If the fact that I am not a " Psyllidist " is revealed by the generic 

 characters creeping into the description, the accompanying photographs 

 will perhaps help out the deficiency. 



The eggs are probably deposited upon the alder in the fall, as the 

 newly-hatched Psyllids appear about the time the alder leaves are unfolding 

 in the spring, and settle upon the ventral surface of the leaves. 



On June 10, 1909, nymphs previous to the last (or pupal) instar were 

 examined. Head and thorax, both dorsal and ventral, were pale green, 

 the abdomen, both dorsal and ventral, was pale yellow. Eyes bright 

 pinkish-red. Tips of antennae, legs and beak dusky. Wing-pads small 

 and full and not flat upon the dorsum as in the next stage. These 

 nymphs were congregated on young leaves on the ventral side along the 

 ribs. To the naked eye they presented a loose, woolly mass on account 



*Papers from the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station : Entomology, 36. 

 tHomologies of the Wing-veins of Aphidida?, Psyllida;, Aleurodida; and 

 Coccida;. 



