532 The University Science Bulletin. 



LONGEVITY OF ADULTS. 



In 1921 the first adults were collected June 14 and the last ones 

 on July 23. The latter date does not represent their last appearance, 

 but merely the time when collecting trips ceased. In the spring of 

 1923 Mr. C. H. Curran collected specimens on April 1 and April 4, 

 which was practically the first indication that they might overwinter 

 as adults. By the first part of May adults were no more in evidence. 

 Adults hatching from eggs in the spring began to appear on June 13, 

 becoming quite numerous by June 19. The rest of the summer and 

 fall adults could be taken in great numbers, sometimes averaging 

 seventy-five in one hour's collecting. The last date in the fall was 

 November 23. In the spring of 1923 adult females were first taken 

 on April 19. From these facts it appears that the insects, at least 

 the female, spends the greater part of the year in the adult form — 

 from the middle of June until about the middle of April, or a period 

 of ten months. 



HABITS OF ADULTS. 



The adult bug is a very sluggish insect. It sits for hours on the 

 stems and leaves of plants, feeding continually. Many were found 

 on thistle plants, where they could be easily watched. Some were 

 under observation for two hours, during which time they never 

 changed position. While feeding they emit a clear fluid or honey 

 dew, which falls from beneath them in large drops. One individual 

 was watched for an hour, during which time 200 drops of honeydew 

 were emitted. While feeding they usually sit with their legs folded 

 snugly beneath the wings. When walking they seem to spread the 

 two front pairs of legs out to the side, propelling themselves along 

 by them, but the hind pair are held straight beneath the wings and 

 dragged along behind, evidently only of use in jumping. When 

 disturbed froghoppers give a powerful leap, and for this reason are 

 hard to collect. The best method of collecting them is by sweeping 

 and then holding a large-sized test-tube in front of them in such a 

 position that they will hop into the tube, since they always jump 

 in a forward direction. 



MATING. 



Mating takes place in the late fall. On September 27 two pairs 

 were found mating in a cage in the insectary. On September 28 

 one pair was caught in the field while mating and two pairs in an 

 inside cage. A day later two more pairs mated, and on September 30 

 another pair and on October 2 still another, making nine pairs in 

 all. After this the males probably die and the females go into 

 winter quarters. 



