43G IvKPOUT OF TJIK lIoKTICUI/rUKIST OF THE 



little leaf hoppers are often erroneously called tlirips. They jump 

 quickly when disturbed. 



Description. — The adult insects measure about one-eighth of 

 an incli in len£!:th. They vary gi'catly in color, but the prevailing 

 color is usually light yellowish green. The back and wings are 

 ornamented with bright red, yellow and brown. They are found 

 upon the vines from spring until fall. They feed together, suck- 

 ing the sap from the leaves, principally from the under surface, 

 causing them to turn brown in patches. Writers disagree as to 

 the egg-laying habits of this sj)ecies. The young resemble the 

 adults in form, but are not provided with wings and are green or 

 yellowish green in color. There are several broods during the 

 season. ' Some of the adults of the last brood hibernate in any 

 convenient rubbish about the vineyard. 



Treatment. — The vineyards should be kept free from rubbish. 

 Much good may be done by thoroughly spraying the vines with 

 kerosene emulsion, one part to from seven to ten parts of water, or 

 whale oil soap, one pound to seven gallons of water. This is not 

 entirely satisfactory as many of the leaf hoppers will fly before the 

 insecticide reaches them, but some benefit is derived from the 

 emulsion or soap solution that remains on the leaves as it uu- 

 doubtedly makes them offensive to the insects. 



A practical method of combating this insect is found in what 

 is popularly known as the shield method. The shield consists of 

 a frame with a cloth stretched over it and saturated with kerosene 

 oil, with tar softened until it is very sticky or with some other 

 sticky substance. When ready for use it is carried in a horizon- 

 tal position between the rows. The vines are agitated at the 

 same time and as the insects fly or jump into the air many of 

 them will come in contact with the sticky surface where they 

 soon die or are wet wdth kerosene which is fatal to them. This 

 method should be used during the warm part of the day and 

 should be continued every day until the insects are materially 

 lessened in numbers. 



