INSECTS INJURIOUS TO BEANS AND PEAS 



117 



to seven days until the crop is ready for picking. Such "lice" 

 as are not buried in the ground will be killed by the dust which 

 closes their breathing pores, while a considerable proportion 

 are destroyed also by the force of the brushing. Peas planted 

 in rows to permit of frequent cultivation suffer much less injury 

 than when sown broadcast. As soon as the last picking has 

 been made infested plants should be promptly plowed under. 



Cultural methods. — Of cultural methods there is testimony to 

 the value of early planting, the earliest peas seldom being in- 

 fested, or at least only slightly injured. Very late plantings 

 of peas for canning have also escaped ravages in some instances. 



Rotation of crops is advisable, and it is unwise to plant peas 

 in successive years in the same portion of a farm, or in the 

 vicinity of other leguminous plants likely 

 to harbor this species. 



As this insect passes the winter on 

 the plants mentioned, because peas are 

 not available, it might be possible to 

 use small plats of some of them as trap 

 crops. Crimson clover would probably 

 be best because of the early start that 

 it gets in the spring. On the trap plants 

 the "lice" could be killed by hand 

 methods, such as brushing from the 

 plants into pans, and thus large numbers ^'S- -i- c.any leafnopper. 



Adult. (Author's illustration, 



could be killed early in the season be- u. s. Dept. Agr.) 

 fore they had opportunity to spread to peas. 



Leafhoppers of several species occur in all stages, feeding 

 on the under surface of leaves of bean and cowpea, but are not 

 known to be particularly injurious. The most conspicuous 

 species, on account of its large size and bright colors, is the 

 crafty leafhopper (Diedroccphala versiita Say, fig. 71). Rem- 

 edies have been discussed on page 86. 



Plant-bugs are often abundant on edible legumes. Of these 



