125 



KiG. 7.— Lantanaleafbugr KTeAe- 

 onemia siibfasciata Champ.) 

 Hair line shows natural size. 

 (Author's illustration.) 



the leaf miner referred to above, and the drought, they liave 

 defoliated lantana two or three times in course of the year. 

 To all appearances, particularly on the leeward side of hills 

 and Islands, lantana was dead. This was only an illusion, 

 however, which was quickly removed either by careful 

 examination of the stem or by the reappearance of foliage after 

 heavy rains. The younger shoots of lantana were usually 

 found dead. There is no doubt that during the last year 

 lantana received severe injury and a quite serious set-back. 



These "leaf bugs" were so abundant everywhere that it was 

 inevitable that some of them should stray to other plants, 

 either of their own accord, or blown by the wind. Their leis- 

 urely, deliberate mode of locomotion makes them an object of 

 easy study. As a result of these facts many people have re- 

 peatedly observed the insect on plants other than lantana and, 

 warned by previous experiences, have repeatedly attempted 

 to raise the alarm of a new pest. The fact is, however, that 

 although it does occur on plants other than lantana, it has 

 never been observed to breed upon them or in sufficient num- 

 bers to do injury ; neither has it been observed in the actual 

 process of feeding on plants other than lantana.* So that no 

 apprehension on the score of these insects need be enter- 

 tained. Close watching, however, does no harm. 



* See my note in the Hawaiian Forester and Agriculturist, Vol. IT, 

 pp. 401-2. 



