CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF COMMON INSECTS 1 63 



MiRiD^ = Capsid^ (Leaf Bugs) 



Four-lined Leaf Bug {Pcecilocapsus lineatus Fab.).— (Consult Bull. 

 58, Cornell Agr. Exp. St.) This bug is one of the most common in- 

 sects found during summer on field and garden vegetation. It is oc- 

 casionally destructive in flower gardens, 



Adidt. — A greenish-yellow bug with two black spots on the thorax 

 and four black stripes down the back; ^f q inch long; abundant in June 

 and July. 



Eggs. — White, laid on terminal twigs of currant and other bushes 

 in the fall; hatch in the spring. 



Nymphs. — Red when young, but blacker when older, mature in 

 about 20 days. They injure the tips of shoots and cause the leaves 

 to curl up and become brown 

 spotted. Currants, gooseberries, 

 mint and sage are especially liable 

 to injury. 



Control. — Spray with nicotine 

 sulphate or other tobacco extracts, 

 or kerosene emulsion. 



Tarnished Plant Bug {Lygus 



pratensis L.). — (Consult Bulls. 346 Pig. 107. — Tarnished plant bug (Lygus 



and 391, Agr. Exp. Sta., Cornell.) Pr<^^'^^i^^- i^fl^'^ Chittenden.) 

 A very common insect, feeding on a wide range of plants. It causes 

 the well-known injury to the buds of aster, dahlia and chrysanthe- 

 mum, and to the buds and blossoms of orchard trees (Fig. 107), 



Adult. — Brownish, mottled with yellow and reddish. Head yel- 

 lowish-brown, usually with three lines; pro thorax bronzy brown, 

 usually with four blackish spots in a row; scutellum brownish, usually 

 with a Y-shaped spot. Wings bronzy brown mottled with yellowish- 

 brown and reddish. Antennae dark brown; legs brown, tibiae banded 

 near base and tarsi dusky. Under surface dark at centre with a lighter 

 lateral stripe and a marginal brown band with yellow spots. Length 

 \'i to yi inch. Hibernates. 



Eggs. — One-twenty-lifth inch long, flask-shaped, and obliquely 

 truncate; deposited in stems, etc.; duration 10 days. 



Nymphs. — -Five stages; active; feeding on juices of plants. 



Life-history. — Cycle completed in 25 to 30 days in late summer 



