34 The Tea insects of India, 



Jassid^. 



Chlorita ilavescens, Fabr, (Green fly blight). A large amount 

 of damage from this insect was reported in 1891 from tea gardens, 

 especially in Cachar and in the Upper Assam Valley. Specimens 

 reached the Indian Museum in the latter part of May from Assam, 

 in June from Darjiling, and in July from Cachar. 



In the case of the Upper Assam Valley, the insect is said to have 

 appeared in the early part of the season and to have lasted on until 

 June. 



In no case do its habits seem to have been observed with any 

 minuteness. It was generally supposed in the tea districts, however, to 

 be responsible for the injury caused to the tea bushes, and as this was 

 of a kind that it would be quite capable of inflicting, the probabilities 

 are that it was rightly accused. 



Both in life-history and method of feeding it is probably somewhat 

 similar to Helopeltis theivora, though its eggs are more likely to be 

 affixed to the leaf than buried in the tissue of the shoot. It may be 

 noticed that the specimens forwarded to the Indian Museum in June 

 from Cachar comprised both larvse and adults. 



The species is said to be fairly common in Europe and has also 

 been recorded from Algeria, Brazil, and Siberia. It must necessarily, 

 therefore, be able to subsist upon other plants besides tea. 



The figure, which is taken from specimens in the Indian M useum 

 collection from Cachar, shows the wingless larva when nearly full 

 grown, also the winged adult. The figures are much enlarged, but the 

 natural size of each form is indicated by hair lines, so no confusion need 

 arise on this account. 



According to a report dated 19th June 1891, from a garden in 

 Cachar, as quoted in Indian Museum Notes, the insect stops the growth 

 of the young shoots and prevents their ever becoming fit for plucking. 

 The effect of the pest was said to be deplorable. Over whole sections 

 of the tea garden the plants were covered with leaf about an inch in 



