122 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [April, 'l8 



laying started the first week in June, which was soon after 

 emergence, and continued until about June 20, at which time 

 only a comparatively few females were found and during 

 which time most of the eggs were laid. 



The eggs are deposited in the mid-rib on the under side of 

 the leaf, usually in the basal portion which is pubescent. This 

 results in the eggs being partially hidden. Most of the eggs 

 stick out parallel to the leaf surface although some appear to 

 be inserted perpendicular in the leaf tissue close to the mid-rib 

 while a few are inserted in the mid rib at an angle. Only the 

 basal rounded end of the egg is inserted in the leaf and the 

 outer projecting part of the egg is covered with the black 

 varnish-like excrement of the female. From 4 to 35 eggs were 

 found in a single mid-rib, these being distributed unevenly on 

 both sides. As a rule, each leaf contained about 15 eggs. 

 Hatching started about June 25 and the first adults appeared 

 July 15, the egg stage requiring from 2 to 3 weeks. The ist, 

 2nd and 3rd nymphal stages required from 2 to 3 days, the 

 4th from 3 to 4 days and the 5th from 7 to 9 days. The 5th 

 was undoubtedly prolonged by cool, rainy weather at that time. 

 In fact, all stages are shortened or prolonged by favorable or 

 unfavorable weather. 



The nymphs feed in colonies on the under surface of the 

 leaf along the mid-rib and if the individuals of a colony are 

 separated they will later collect and feed together. While 

 there is a tendency for some 4th and 5th stage nymphs to 

 migrate somewhat, most of them feed together. By the last 

 of July many adults of the first brood are present and egg lay- 

 ing starts, young leaves usually being selected for this purpose. 

 By the latter part of August the first adults of a second brood 

 are present and continue to appear well into September. On 

 account of the length of time over which oviposition extends it 

 is possible to find, during the summer, all stages of the nymphs 

 at the same time. All stages feed on the under leaf surface 

 which results in a whitish discoloration of the upper surface. 

 The under surface is disfigured by varnish-like spots of ex- 

 crement. In common with Stcphanitis pyrioidcs Scott, a few 



