REPORT OF THE STATE ENTOMOLOGIST I914 \J 



merous at Bangall and also at Milton, Ulster county. Similar con- 

 ditions, though without excessive injury, were observed in localities 

 in both Columbia and Rensselaer counties. Specimens were received 

 from a Washington ville, Orange county, orchard and also from 

 Mount Vernon, Westchester county. The general distribution of 

 this insect in this apple-growing region is favorable for serious and 

 sporadic injury, such as has obtained at Poughkeepsie for the last 

 two or three years. If the grower would avoid a heavy loss it is 

 necessary to watch this pest and prevent its becoming excessively 

 abundant. 



Signs of red bug injury. The earlier signs of damage by this 

 species are found in the indistinct reddish brown spotting of the more 

 tender opening or recently unfolded leaves. This discoloration has 

 been compared to the appearance presented after a light dusting 

 with red pepper. As the injured leaves age the discoloration becomes 

 somewhat darker and after a time the central portion of the more 

 seriously affected tissues may die and drop, leaving an irregular series 

 of reddish, brown-margined holes in the somewhat curled, crumpled 

 leaves. Affected foliage, unless very badly injured, usually remains 

 upon the tree throughout the summer and affords one of the readiest 

 means of detecting the work of this pest. The damage to the foliage, 

 while of some consequence, amounts to little compared with the injury 

 to the young fruit. 



The earliest evidence of injury to the small apple is a slight exuda- 

 tion accompanied by a local discoloration and hardening. The 

 young fruit is frequently pierced to the core and as growth continues, 

 depressions with pithy centers extending deep into the tissues may 

 be noted. There is also a marked irregularity in the shape of the 

 apples. This damage may be distinguished from somewhat similar 

 appearing aphis injury by the fact that the blossom end is not puck- 

 ered or deformed, a modification frequently following plant louse 

 attack. Many apples are dwarfed and drop about midsummer. 



The red bugs them elves rarely attract notice, though the young, 

 which are bright in color, shelter themselves largely in curled leaves 

 and may generally be found near the tips exhibiting the charac- 

 teristic injury. The adults are about a quarter of an inch long, 

 reddish in color, and likewise are most often found near affected 

 foliage. This lined red bug may be separated from the sometimes 

 associated true red bug, by the black line along the posterior margin 

 of the pronotum, while the other is distinguished by the rather 

 numerous fine, whitish scales on the head, thorax and wings. Both 

 young and adults are active and are very likely to dodge to the 

 other side of a leaf or twig when approached. 



