ATTACKING THE BUDS. 147 



ATTACKING THE BUDS. 



No. 71. The Tarnished Plant-bug. 



Lygus lineolaris (P. Beauv.)- 



This insect, which is represented magnified in Fig. 153, is 

 about one-fifth of an inch long, and varies in color from 

 dull dark brown to a greenish or dirty 

 yellowish brown, the males being gener- 

 ally darker than the females. The head 

 is yellowish, with three narrow, reddish 

 stripes ; the beak or sucker is about one- 

 third the length of the body, and when 

 not in use is folded upon the breast. The 

 thorax has a yellow margin and several 

 yellowish lines running lengthwise ; behind 

 the thorax is a yellow V-like mark, some- 

 times more or less indistinct. The wings are dusky brown, 

 and the legs dull yellow. 



It passes the winter in the perfect state, taking shelter 

 among rubbish, or in other convenient hiding-places, and 

 early in May, as soon as vegetation starts, it begins its dep- 

 redations. Concealing itself within the young leaves of the 

 expanding buds of the pear, it punctures them about their 

 base and along their edges, extracting their juices with its 

 beak. The puncture of the insect seems to have a poisonous 

 effect, and the result is to disfigure and sometimes entirely 

 destroy the young leaves, causing them to blacken and wither. 

 These insects are also partial to the unopened buds, piercing 

 them from the outside, and sucking them nearly dry, when 

 they also become withered and blackened. Sometimes a 

 whole branch will be thus affected, being first stunted, then 

 withering, and finally dying. Early in the morning these 

 plant-bugs are in a sluggish condition, and may be found 

 buried in the expanding leaves, but as the day advances 

 and the temperature rises they become active, and when ap- 



