The Biology ofErythroneura (Zygina) pallidifrons, Edwards

Abstract

The association between insects and virus diseases of plants and the suspicion which at present rests onJassidae, amongst others, may result in members of this family becoming of increased importance as potential vectors of virus diseases of crop plants. In America leaf-hoppers are already serious pests of cereals and of grape-vines, and in the cotton-growing area of Central and South Africa a Jassid forms one of the most important obstacles to the successful cultivation of this crop, so that in these countries a considerable amount of attention has been demanded by this group of insects. In this country, however, the leaf-hoppers have only been regarded as of minor importance, though in recent years increasing interest has been taken in certain species infesting potatoes and glasshouse crops. It was suggested to the writer that further knowledge of the biology of these insects was desirable, especially in view of the extreme importance of a nearly related species in many of the African cotton-growing areas, and it was accordingly decided to use the common species infesting glass-houses as a type for investigation with cotton as the food-plant.