55 



Fig. 53.— jN'ystws angustatus: a, part of .small leaf of potato, 

 showing punctures of the bug; h, last stage of nymph; 

 c, adult— a, natural size; h, c, much enlarged (after 

 Riley, Division of Entomology). 



and harlequin bugs on cabbage, and as they feed by suction they soon 

 exhaust a plant by depriving it of its vital juices, causing it in time 

 to wilt and perish. The distribution of the species extends from New 

 Hampshire to the Gulf, and westward to the Pacific States. It is sub- 

 ject to the same atmospheric influences as tlie true chinch bug, damp, 

 rainy weather being unfavorable to its development. 



JEtemedies.- — The best manner of holding this bug in control consists 

 in clean culture, keeping down all pvirslane, a favorite host plant, the 

 careful cleaning up of crop remnants and other trash before winter, 

 and the collection of the bugs when they occur in numbers in pans 

 or pails filled with water and a thin scum of kerosene. The free use 

 of kerosene emulsion and 

 pyrethrum is also of value, 

 the latter, though expensive, 

 being eflicient in small fislds. 



THE MINUTE FALSE 

 CHINCH BUG. 



{Nysius minutus Uhl. ) 



According to recent re- 

 ports emanating from sev- 

 eral sources in Colorado, 

 this insect is of growing im- 

 portance as a beet pest. It appears to be more particularl}' destruc- 

 tive to beets grown for seed, the injury being accomplished by the 

 bugs sapping the green seed, which in consequence dries up and fails 

 to mature j^roperly. 



It differs but slightly from the previousl}- mentioned species, Deing 

 a little smaller, measuring onl}^ about a sixteenth of an inch in length. 

 Its distribution and its food habits appear to be practical!}^ the same, 

 in fact additional study is necessary to determine whether the two 

 forms are actually distinct species. 



Remedies. — It has been ascertained by beet growers that the flood- 

 ing of infested fields causes the insects to leave, and the growing of 

 mustard as a trap crop has given excellent results, precautions being- 

 taken that the mustard be not allowed to run to seed, as it is likely to 

 become a pest itself. Other remedies advised for the common false 

 chinch bug just considered are also applicable. 



THE GARDEN FLEA-HOPPER. 



{IIal.licu,i uhleri Giard.) 



In recent 3'ears this minute black bug has been the occasion of con- 

 siderable injury in various parts of the country. In 1890 it did dam- 

 age to beans in Kansas, and in 1896 like injury was inflicted on red 

 clover and other plants in Ohio. It is commonly seen in beet fields, 



