Clje Canadian llittomalajbt 



Vol. XLIX. LONDON, MAY. 1917 No. 5 



POPULAR AND PRACTICAL ENTOMOLOGY 

 Notes on the Black Apple Leaf-Hopper. 



(Idiocerus fitchi Van D.) 



W. H. BRITTAIN AND L. G. SAUNDERS,* TRURO, N.S. 



Originally described by Fitch from New York State, this in- 

 sect apparently occurs quite generally throughout the North- 

 eastern United States and Canada. It is very common throughout 

 the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. 



INJURIES. 



Many farmers who have noticed this insect at work, have 

 considered it to be a pest of some importance. Most of the in- 

 juries that they have attributed to its agency, however, have been 

 brought about by other causes. Where numerous, the insects 

 swarm over the new growth and particularly about the blossom 

 clusters, where they may easily be observed feeding. Though 

 unquestionably some damage results from their work, it is apparent, 

 from a careful study of their feeding habits, that they are of little 

 importance as fruit pests. Numbers of the nymphs were placed 

 on apple seedlings, and their effect on the plants noted. There 

 was no noticeable curling or blotching of the leaves as a result of 

 even a' relatively large number of nymphs on a small seedling. 

 The only effect that could be seen, was that occasionally a bead 

 of clear sap would be seen oozing through a punctured blossom 

 pedicel or leaf petiole. This might eventually result in the wither- 

 ing and dropping off of the affected part. It was evident, therefore, 

 that the damage done was not serious, and that the presence of the 

 pest in the orchard, even in large numbers, did not justify the alarm 

 sometimes caused by its appearance. 



DESCRIPTION OF LIFE STAGES. 



Egg.— Length .065 to 0.737 mm. Width 0.167 to 0.187 mm. 



Elongate, m ore or less cylindrical; widest near posterior extremity, 



* Contributions from Entomological Division, Nova Scotia, Department 

 of Agriculture. 



