INSECTS INJURIOUS TO TOBACCO 215 



The Spined Tobacco-bug * 



Professor H. Garman has found a small bug, which he has 

 termed the Spined Tobacco-bug, doing more or less injury to plants 

 in Kentucky, and as this insect is widely distributed throughout the 

 country, it probably does more or less damage elsewhere, though 

 never a serious pest. Concerning its work, he says: "Occa- 

 sional plants in tobacco-fields are at times observed to have become 

 suddenly wilted, the leaves hanging limp, much as if the stalk had 

 been severed. After a time they recover again, and, beyond a 

 temporary check on their growth, appear to have suffered but 

 little injury. If such plants are searched carefully while still 

 wilted, a flat, brown bug with each side of the body produced into 

 an angle, or sharp spine, will be found upon the stalk along the 

 base of the leaves. It is very shy and keeps out of sight, hence any 



FIG. 180. The spined tobacco-bug (Euschistus variolarius) , nymph at left; 

 adult at right enlarged. (After Howard, U. S. Dept. Agr.) 



brisk movement on the injured plants is likely to cause it to drop to 

 the ground and conceal itself." These insects are true bugs, suck- 

 ing their food through a beak, which is bent under the body 

 between the legs when not in use. They are about half an inch 

 long, of a drab color above and greenish or yellowish below. 

 Usually only one bug is found on a plant, so that the best way to 

 prevent the injury is to pick them from the plants, and keep 

 down such weeds as thistles and mulleins, upon which such in- 

 sects feed, in the adjoining fields. 



* Eutschistus punctipes Say (variolarius Pal. Beauv.). Family Pentatomidce. 

 See Bulletin No. 66, Ky. Agr. Exp. Sta., p. 33. 



