The Four-ijned Leaf-Bug. 223 



OU8 and destructive in Michigan to currant in 1891. In 1892, according 

 to Coryell, the pest again appeared in Michigan but was less destructive 

 than the preceding year. 



From this study of the past history of the insect it will be seen that 

 it is an old offender, having first attracted attention as a pest as early 

 as 1858. New York and Michigan thus far seem to have suffered the 

 most from the insect, although it is present in alarming numbers in 

 several States. In our State, dahlias, currant and gooseberry bushes, 

 and sage have so far suffered the most. 



The record shows that the pest has a very wide distribution in North 

 America, extending from Canada down through the Atlantic States to 

 Georgia, and across the United States north of the Ohio River and 

 reaching to the Rocky Mountains. It has not yet been recorded west 

 of the Rockies nor from the central Southern States, but it is quite 

 probable that it occurs in both these regions. 



Food-Plants of the Pest. 



The past history of the insect as above narrated shows a surprisingly 

 wide range of food-plants. This fact is more strikingly illustrated in 

 the following list of all of the plants upon which the insect has been 

 found feeding as recorded by the different observers. The names are 

 arranged in groups that indicate whether the plants were being grown 

 for food or medicine, or for ornament, or were growing wild and thus 

 might be termed weeds. The extent to which the different plants 

 were injured by the insect is indicated opposite each. 



Plants Cultivated for Food or Medicine. 



Name. Extent of injury. 



Radish Slight. 



Clover Considerable. 



Pea • Slight. 



Currant, Red, White and Black Yery bad. 



Gooseberry Very bad. 



Squash Slight. 



Cucumber Slight. 



Parsnip Very bad. 



Yaleriana officinalis . ; Bad . 



Lettuce Slight. 



Potato Slight. 



Mint {Mentha) Very bad. 



Sage Bad . 



