3G8 EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



a slight stickiness that it possesses prevents the insects from escaping 

 and in the fact that its action is rapid. 



The strawberry parnera (Pamera vincta) seems to be reported for the 

 first time as of economic importance. In Florida it has been recognized 

 for several years past as an enemy to strawberries. It was observed 

 in 1892 by P. H. Roll's feeding on the young berries; the "buttoning" 

 of young fruit is attributed to it. In the laboratory insects were 

 observed to feed mainly on the ovaries of the plants. 



"Walking around over the berry, the beak was thrust first down into one ovary 

 ami then another, frequently 15 or 18 ovaries being pierced during the course of half 

 an hour. As is well known, the ovary is, physiologically, an essential part of the 

 fruit of the strawberry, and if a considerable number of ovaries are destroyed the 

 development of the receptacle — the juicy part of the ripe strawberry — is checked. 

 This insect seems to destroy the vitality of the ovaries which it attacks. In case 

 the attack has been severe, i. e., many of the ovaries of the fruit having been pierced, 

 the berry rarely develops to anything of value. Further growth is greatly checked 

 and the receptacle eventually becomes more or less woody, producing a button. 

 Very young fruit seems to suffer more severely yet. In such fruit the receptacle is 

 also attacked, and it usually results in the blackening and eventual drying up of 

 the berry. This effect was observed repeatedly in the laboratory. Blossoms are 

 sometimes attacked with the same results. One insect may so pierce a very young- 

 fruit or blossom that it will die. After a berry has become a third grown it is prob- 

 ably safe from destruction by this insect." 



The egg, the 5-nymph, and the adult stage are described, quoting 

 from Say. Some discrepancies were observed by the author between 

 specimens and Say's description. 



"The length will average about £ in., nearly twice that given by Say. However, 

 there is much variation in length; the bodies of some males measure but ;£,- of an 

 inch, while some of the longest females measure f\ of an inch. The membrane of 

 hemelytra is much clouded with dusky above; below it is milk white. The feet are 

 dusky. The claw and distal segment of each tarsus are "blackish, the clouding 

 extending upon the tibia; not whitish. The basal, joint of the antenna' is uniformly 

 yellowish, there being no trace of black on distal portion. 



"The antennae of an adult are very similar to that of the nymph, the first joint 

 being short, about two and one half times as long as thick; second, third, and 

 fourth joints are of about same length; second and third are cylindrical ^n shape; 

 fourth joint is spindle shaped. First, second, and third joints are uniformly yel- 

 low; fourth joint rufous. Tarsi composed of 3 segments." 



Laboratory observations resulted in showing that the duration of 

 the life cycle of the insect is as follows: Egg stage, 8 days; first 

 nymph stage, 5 days; second, 3 days; third, 3 days; fourth, 3 days; 

 fifth, 5 days; total to adult stage, 27 days. Adults were kept in the 

 breeding cage 20 days, or until they escaped. 



In the field it was observed that young are less affected than old 

 fields and that the custom of mulching offers the insects admirable 

 places for breeding. The insect is thought to be indigenous to the 

 State and its taste for strawberries acquired. Spraying with rose-leaf 

 insecticide is recommended. 



The tarnished plant bug [Lygus lineolaris) is regarded as injurious, 



