12 THE SUGAR-CANE INSECTS OF HAWAII. 
attained in Hawaii than in continental regions where investigations 
of this character are under way. From the above remarks it is 
apparent that the entomologists of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters’ 
Experiment Station are justified in placing emphasis on this phase 
of insect control. Indeed, their work has been almost entirely 
along this line. 
THE SUGAR-CANE LEAFHOPPER. 
(Perkinstella saccharicida Kirk.) 
DISTRIBUTION. 
The Hawaiian sugar-cane leafhopper (Perkinsiella saccharicida 
Kirkaldy) was introduced into the islands some time prior to 1900 
from Queensland, Australia. The species occurs throughout the 
sugar-cane areas both in Australia and in Hawaii and has been 
recorded from Java.? 
APPEARANCE OF THE LEAFHOPPER IN HAWAIIAN CANE FIELDS. 
The first appearance of the leafhopper in Hawaii is recorded 
by Mr. Albert Koebele in January, 1902.2 Koebele notes the species 
under the heading ‘‘Leafhopper (Fulgoride),”’ the species at that 
time not having been described. Regarding its appearance Mr. 
Koebele says: 
According to Mr. Clark a small homopterous insect appeared upon the sugar cane 
at the experimental station some twelve months since, affecting the Demerara and 
Rose Bamboo plants. Its presence is easily seen by the black and dirty appearance 
of the leaves and more or less red midribs. 
The insect lives in company with its larva in large numbers behind leaf sheaths, 
which it punctures to imbibe the sap of the plant. When mature it is exceedingly 
active in its habits, springing with suddenness from its resting place at the least dis- 
turbance. The eggs are oviposited into the midrib over a large extent, most numerous 
near the base, in groups of about from four to seven, and large quantities are often 
present in a single leaf. The surroundings of the sting become red and in advanced. 
stages the whole of the midrib becomes more or less of this color and brownish red. 
That the species caused littie alarm at this time is indicated by 
Mr. Koebele’s further statement in this same article. He says: 
Should this insect become numerous on any plantation, they could be kept in 
check by careful and repeated stripping and burning, immediately after, of the leaves 
containing the eggs. I do not anticipate any serious results from the above insect, 
which may have been present upon the island for many years. 
In May, 1902, Dr. R. C. L. Perkins under the title ‘‘ Leafhoppers 
(Fulgoride),’’ in a report to Mr. C. F. Eckart, director of the Hawaiian 
a KirKapy, G. W.—A note on certain widely distributed leafhoppers. <Science, 
vol. 26, no. 659; p. 216, 1907. 
b KoEBELE, A.—Report of the committee on diseases of cane. <(Hawaiian Planters’ 
Monthly, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 20-26, January, 1902. 
