The Bramble Flea-louse 



235 



The minute young nymphs are whitish or greenish white in color; 

 the older nymphs are yellowish. They mature in early fall and the 

 adults go into hibernation." 



The effect on the plant was well described by Charles Parry, a 

 horticulturist of New Jersey, as long ago as 1869. He says: 



"The suckers upon which this insect occurs in the spring com- 

 mence to twirl around, and, when 

 not interfered with, make a com- 

 plete revolution before they re- 

 sume their usual course. The 

 leaves curl up, and become 

 matted around the curl, so as to 

 make a safe harbor for the lice-like 

 larvae, which during the summer 

 appear on the under surface of 

 the leaves." 



Owing to the peculiar distorted 

 appearance of infested plants the 

 injury has sometimes been mis- 

 taken for a fungous disease. In 

 some localities it is known under 

 the name of "mistletoe." (Fig. 

 26.) 



Methods of control. -Thorough 

 work in cutting out and destroy- 

 ing the infected parts is the means 

 of control most generally advised. 

 It has also been suggested that 

 methods similar to those used 

 against the pear psylla might 

 prove effective. Tobacco extract 

 and kerosene emulsion are the favorite remedies for this purpose, 

 Little definite knowledge seems to be available. 

 Reference. 



Geneva, N. Y., Expt. Sta. Kept. 14:619 (1895). 



Fig. 26. Blackberry "mistletoe," 

 work of the bramble flea-louse. 



