80 INJURIOUS INSECTS OF KANSAS. 



century. It has spread all over North America, aud is, perhaps, 

 our most destructive apple pest. Professor Popenoe has estimated 

 the damage in Kansas orchards sometimes to amount to two- 

 thirds of the crop. The pest has been known in Kansas since 

 apples began to bear. It was first noticeable near Missouri river 

 towns, and gradually spread over the State, following railroads 

 and other lines of travel. It is transported chiefly by the ship- 

 ment of wormy fruit. 



It is mentioned constantly in the published transactions and 

 reports of the State Horticultural Society since the first meeting 

 of the society, in 1871. 



TARNISHED PLANT-BUG. 

 {Lygus lineolaris P. Beauv.; Order, Hemiptera.) 



Diagnosis. — Attacking the apple, pear, quince, plum, cherry, 

 strawberry, and many herbaceous plants ; a small, dark-brown to 

 yellowish-brown sucking bug, one-fifth of an inch long, (head yel- 

 lowish, with three narrow, reddish stripes; thorax yellow-mar- 

 gined, with several yellow, longitudinal lines, a more or less distinct 

 yellow V- mark behind the thorax ;) attacking the buds, young 

 leaves, and young fruit. 



Description and Life-history. — The insect hibernates in the 

 adult state, finding shelter beneath leaves, in rubbish, etc., and 

 coming out during the first warm days 

 of early spring. The flying bugs appear 

 with the first vegetation. They bury 

 themselves among the expanding buds, or 

 in the blossoms, and suck the life juices of 

 the plant. Aflfected fruit buds appear as 

 if frost-bitten. The blossoms of ap2:)le trees 

 are a favorite feeding ground of this pest. 

 The eggs are laid on the food-plant, and 

 the young bugs appear as early as the 

 middle of April and first of May. The ^^''- **• '^^^ug.''^'' ^''^'"'' 

 3'oung resemble the adult in shape, (see 

 description in Diagnosis, this insect,) but are green, and lack 



