THE EGGPLANT LACE-BUG. 



THE EGGS. 



The minute greenish eggs are deposited on the underside of the 

 leaves in circular masses of about 116 to 188. Their bases are attached 

 hi irregular rows, not erect, but, as before stated, leaning in different 

 directions and at different angles. A sticky secretion is spread over 

 the eggs after oviposition. To the unaided eye the eggs appear like 

 a mass of mere dots on the underside of the leaf, occupying an area 

 of leaf surface about one-half inch in diameter. The female attends 

 the eggs during the entire period of incubation, leaving them only at 

 intervals to feed, and later, when the nymphs emerge, is constantly 

 in attendance. 



Table II indicates the normal period of incubation for the summer 

 months. Since not all the eggs are deposited at one time by the 

 female, the emergence of the nymphs extends over several days. The 

 table, however, refers to dates when nymphs first began emerging. 



Table II. — Incubation period of the eggplant lace-bug, Norfolk, Va., 1914. 



No. 



Date of 

 deposi- 

 tion of 

 eggs. 



Date of 

 emer- 

 gence of 

 nymphs. 



Incuba- 

 tion 

 period. 



No. 



Date of 

 deposi- 

 tion of 

 eggs. 



Date of 

 emer- 

 gence of 

 nymphs. 



Incuba- 

 tion 

 period. 



1 



May 24 

 May 25 

 June 15 

 June 17 

 June 21 



Mav 30 

 May 31 

 June 23 

 June 24 

 June 2& 



Days. 

 6 

 6 



8 

 7 

 5 



6 



June 23 

 June 23 

 June 26 

 July 4 



June 28 

 June 29 

 July 3 

 July 19 



Days. 



5 



2 





6 



3 



! 8 



7 



4. 



9 



5 



5 











THE NYMPHS. 



The nymphs are always found feeding in groups (Pis. IV and V). 

 After the first molt they become yellow and at the same time shift 

 their feeding position on the leaves. When migrating from one leaf 

 to another the female adult usually directs the way, and with her 

 long antennae keeps the nymphs together or rebukes any straggler 

 or deserter. It is an interesting sight to observe the migration of a 

 colony of more than a hundred nymphs, with the female adult hurry- 

 ing from one end of the flock to the other, keeping them together, 

 and at the same time urging them hi the right direction during the 

 migration. When a new area has been selected the nymphs settle 

 down, insert the proboscis, and begin to feed. 



In its undeveloped forms, particularly in its last two nymphal 

 stages, the eggplant lace-bug is an interesting and grotesque-looking 

 object. The head and body are covered with spiny processes the 

 function of which is not yet well understood. Some of the spines on 

 the head are hornlike and, situated as they are near the eyes, they 

 resemble very much the horns of some domesticated animals. 



That the adult female keeps a watchful eye for intruders and ene- 

 mies while in attendance on the nymphs is attested by the following 



