53 



Fig. 51. — Lygtis 2>ratcnsis: adult bug at left; last stage of 

 uymph at right — nearly four times natural size (orig- 

 inal, Division of Entomology). 



ish, ringed with darker brown. The length is about one-fifth or three- 

 sixteenths of an inch. 



This plant-bug has been stated to pass through four stages of growth 

 from the time it hatches from the egg; until it reaches the adult condi- 

 tion, but there is little doubt that there are five stages, to agree with 

 other species of plant-bugs which have been traced through their 

 metamorphoses. In the first stag-e the insect measures onh^ one-twen- 

 tieth of an inch, and is j^ellowish or yellowish green in color. The 

 known stages are shown in 

 figures 51 and 52. 



Were it not for the fact that 

 this plant- bug feeds upon such 

 a variety of crops as well as 

 weeds, thus diminishing the 

 damage, it would be much 

 more injurious than it really 

 is. It has been asserted, and 

 with probable truth, that the 

 puncture of the bugs is poison- 

 ous to plant life. 



The bugs are extremely ac- 

 tive, and quick of flight as well as on foot, and when disturbed in the 

 least have the habit, in common with many other plant-bugs, of dodg- 

 ing to opposite sides of the plant, where they remain out of sight. 



The tarnished plant-bug, as previoush" stated, can be found afield 

 throughout the season, appearing in early spring and disappearing 

 only when cold weather approaches. Hibernation is usuall}^ in the 

 adult stage, but the nymphs or immature forms are sometimes seen 



under circumstances that would 

 lead to the belief that the spe- 

 cies also winters over in this 

 stage. The insects pass the 

 winter under any convenient 

 shelter, particularly in rubbish 

 left in fields and in fence cor- 

 ners, and under leaves, boards, 

 and stones. After copulation 

 in early spring the females deposit their eggs singl}^ and directl}^ on 

 their host plants, oviposition continuing for two weeks or longer. 



Remedied. — The great activit}^ of the tarnished plant-bug, coupled 

 with its habit of feeding on so great a variety of plants, passing from 

 one to another with no apparent choice, renders it more diflicult of 

 control than if it were concentrated. It can not be kept in l)ounds by 

 any single remed}-, at least when it occurs in great numbers. In tne 

 application of insecticides, or other remedial measures, it is necessary 



Fig. 52. — Lygxis inatcnslr. a, newly hatched nymph; 

 b, nymph of a later stage; c, fourth stage — three or 

 four times natural size (after Forbes, Division of 

 Entomology). 



