Notes on the garden flea-hopper. 5? 



that the closest observation will be necessary to keep it in subjection, 

 that the application of poisons may be made at the proper time and 

 not when too late to be of substantial value. 



In addition, it will be a wise precaution, as we have advised our 

 correspondents, to destroy every bit of vegetation which remains in 

 the gardens or fields which this insect infests after the crops are 

 harvested. This would include the complete and prompt destruction 

 of cabbage stalks and similar refuse material, and the raking up into 

 piles of all other debris, including weeds, and setting fire to them at 

 once and without waiting for them to dry, by adding straw, dried 

 leaves, or other material which will aid in their ignition. 



It is not improbable that if the earnest cooperation of farmers and 

 truck gardeners of Augusta and vicinity with the State authorities 

 could have been obtained this pest might have been stamped out, but 

 under the present circumstances it is likely that this insect will be 

 troublesome again next year and in the future, and that it will spread 

 to neighboring localities and thence throughout the South. 



NOTES ON THE GARDEN FLEA-HOPPER. 



(Halticus uhleri Giard). 

 RECENT OCCURRENCES. 



In very recent years a minute black bug of the family Capsidse, 

 known in collections generally as Halticus bractatuSjh.&s been the occa- 

 sion of more or less reported injury to beans and other vegetables, as 

 well as to a variety of other plants. 



June 29, 1895, Mr. James A. Turner, a florist of Salem, Ohio, wrote 

 that this species, specimens of which were sent, was very destructive 

 to smilax in his greenhouse. 



August 5 of the following year Mr. G-. M. Dodge, Louisiana, Mo., 

 sent specimens with the accompanying information in a letter of that 

 date that this species was troublesome that year, when it for the first 

 time came under observation. It was first noticed on late potatoes, 

 where individuals were present in great plenty. The effect of its work 

 was to turn the leaves a pale sickly color. It was also observed to be 

 working in clover, a small piece adjoining the potato patch being so 

 drained of its juices that the new growth after being first cut looked 

 white at a little distance. It was also stated to have injured tomatoes 

 and corn. A number of other vegetables were attacked to a less 

 extent, but by way of partial compensation the bugs also fed abun- 

 dantly upon the wild horse nettle, Solarium carolinense, and on Ipomwa 

 purpurea, or an allied species of wild morning-glory. By later mail our 

 correspondent sent leaves of red and white clover, Ipomcea and pump- 

 kin, showing work of this species, but the statements made in the 

 previous letter that corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and horse nettle were 

 also affected needs confirmation. This is especially true of corn, as it 



