134 PESTS OF CANE, MAIZE, AND SORGHUM. 



recognise, being found in great numbers in fields of old cane. Tlie 



Fig. 153. 



The Cane-fy, showing Eggs, Nymphs and Imago. Tlie nymphs are denuded of 



their mealy covering and processes. 



{Magnified Jive limes.) 



female lays eggs on the lower surface of the cane leaf, near or on 

 the mid rib ; the eggs are oval, about one- twenty-fifth of an inch 

 in length, pale green or yelloAV in colour. They are deposited in a 

 loose irregular mass covered with white cottony material forming a 

 conspicuous object on the leaf. From ten to thirty eggs are found 

 in each mass. They hatch after a few days, and active young bugs 

 emerge Avhich are able to suck the juice of the plant. These insects 

 have at the hind end a pair of long straight processes, covered in 

 white mealy wax, which they can move apart or bring close together. 

 They hop vigorously from leaf to leaf and rapidly grow larger. The 

 Avings appear as lobes on the back, and after five moults the perfect 

 Avinged insect appears. 



This insect is found only in cane, and is apparently widely spread 

 over the Punjab, United Provinces and l?ehar, l)ut has not been found in 

 Western India. Its origin is obscure, and though it becomes abundant 

 in cano, it has not been found ui)on wihl plants and, unless brought 

 from cane fields, does not come out of the jungle and infest new cane 

 lands. In old cane fields it is common, but the damage is appreciable 

 only in the rare cases when it is very abundant. 



