1264 Rtral School Leaflet 



the leaf squarely off, leaving the midrib bare, folds the remaining poiiinn 

 of the leaf into a tube, fastens it, and lines it with silk. Into this little 

 house, which is just large enough to accommodate its body, the cater- 

 pillar crawls, its last warty segment making a closed door to tlic 

 opening. There it remains safe during the winter and does not come 

 out until spring spreads a feast of fresh leaves on the tree, on which it 

 can feed and complete its growth. The interesting question concerning 

 this winter habit of the sovereign caterpillars is, how do they know when 

 and how to make a winter house? They never experienced a winter, and 

 their parents never experienced a winter, yet they often make their 

 winter houses during the warm days of autumn. 



BITING AND SUCKING INSECTS 

 Glenn W. Herrick 



Name of insect Mouth parts 



European praying mantis Biting 



Peach-tree borer Larva, biting; adult, sucking 



Cherry maggots Larvae, biting; adults, sucking 



Apple-leaf aphis Sucking 



San Jose scale Sucking 



Imported currant worm Biting 



Apple-tree tent caterpillar Larva, biting; adult, sucking 



THE EUROPEAN PRAYING MANTIS 



Mantis rcligiosa 

 (A beneficial insect) 



Many of the worst insect pests have come from foreign countries. It 

 seems to be an easy matter for these injurious species to find their way 

 into this country, Ijut exceedingly hard for beneficial insects to be intro- 

 duced. A notable instance, however, of a beneficial insect being accidentally 

 introduced is that of the European praying mantis. In 1899 this insect 

 was found near Rochester, New York, and now it seems to be fairly widely 

 distributed in the central part of the State. The praying mantis is com- 

 mon in southern Europe, especially in France. It is also found in Asia 

 and in parts of Africa. It probably came into New York State on nur- 

 sery stock imported from Europe. 



Appearance of the insect. — The mantis is a slender green insect two and 

 one-half inches in length. Its most characteristic feature is the long 

 slender portion of the body just behind the head, known as the prothorax, 

 which bears the front pair of pecidiarly fomicd legs. These legs are fitted 

 for seizing and holding other insects, which constitute the food of the mantis. 



