The Sycamore Lace-Bug 



THE SYCAMORE LACE-BUG 



(Corythucha ciliata, Say) 



INTRODUCTORY 



The importance of the sycamore lace-bug as a pest in Okla- 

 homa first occupied the writers' attention two years ago (1915) 

 while making a study of the western sycamore or buttonwood 

 tree (Platanus occidentalis) as a suitable shade tree. 



Previous to the summer of 1915, when this problem was first 

 taken up by the writer under the direction of Professor Sanborn, 

 considerable data and material relative to the life history and 

 habits of this insect had been worked out by the Station ento- 

 mologist, but this data, together with Ms., collections, etc, was en- 

 tirely lost in the Morrill Hall fire. This necessitated beginning 

 anew the entire project, which the writer was fortunate in being 

 allowed to undertake. 



Since this tree is gradually coming into favor for planting 

 throughout its natural habitat the seriousness of this insect's at- 

 tacks caused a thorough study to be made of its life history and 

 habits, and of the most practical methods for its control. 



The western sycamore has few serious insect enemies and, in 

 Oklahoma, is practically free from insect depredations, aside 

 from the bag-worm and this lace-bug, which is found wherever 

 its host tree thrives. 



HISTORICAL 



The family Tingidae, to which the sycamore lace-bug belongs, 

 presents a very interesting group of unique and beautiful insects 

 which have scarcely received the attention they deserve from eco- 

 nomic entomologists until quite recently. Some of the more im- 

 portant ones which have been studied in detail are the Oak Tingid 

 (Corythucha arcuata, Say) by Morrill, and Gargaphia solani, 

 Heid, by Fink. The latter species is quite important as a pest of 

 the eggplant. 



The lace-bug of the sycamore was described by Say in 1831 

 as Tingis. ciliata. In 1873 Stal created the genus Corythucha and 

 transferred ciliata to it. 



