REPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 

 ENTOMOLOGY. 



THE CRANBERRY TOAD-BUG.* 



F. A. SIRRINE and B. B. FULTON. 

 SUMMARY. 



Cranberry growers on Long Island have been troubled by a 

 peculiar dying of the new growth of the vines, caused by the cran- 

 berry toad-bug (Phylloscelis atra Germ.) of the family Fulgoridae. 

 The shape of the insect and its posture when at rest suggested 

 its popular name. 



The cranberry appears to be the only host plant of this insect. 

 When it feeds on the new growth both branch and fruit are killed, 

 but if it feeds on the old wood the berries and branches beyond 

 the feeding point are shriveled and dwarfed. Many bogs are prac- 

 tically free from the insects, but on one at Riverhead and one at 

 Calverton, the yield from certain varieties has been reduced 

 to one-half or one-fourth of a normal crop. 



There is but one brood of the insects during the year. The egg is 

 elongate-oval in shape, with a short stalk at one end. The egg-lay- 

 ing period extends from September i to the middle of October. The 

 female runs over the ground, dragging the egg by the stalked end, 

 so that its viscid surface becomes covered with sand and dirt before 

 it is dropped. Hatching begins on June 25 to 30 of the following 

 summer, and a few may not hatch until early in August. Nymphs 

 usually group together to feed, and may live a long time on the 

 same branch if not disturbed. The insect has five nymphal instars. 

 The first adults appear about the first of August, the males maturing 

 first. 



The nymphs secrete a white, cottony substance which adheres to 

 the branch, and this, with the excrement and molted skins, is 

 more easily detected than the insect. The first symptom of injury 

 is the closing in toward the branch of the leaves on the new growth. 



Tests were made of two methods of control, flooding and spray- 

 ing. Of these, the former is recommended where it is possible, 



* Reprint of Bulletin No. 377, March. 



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