40 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



abdomen. The antennae are minute and bristle-like; the beak plainly 

 inserted in the head and feet with three segments. The most common 

 species of this family in California is the Buffalo tree-hopper. 



THE BUFFALO TREE-HOPPER. 



Gcresa hidiaJiis Vi\\>. 

 CFig. 34.) 



General Appearance. — A small oreen hoi)per, scarcely one fourth of 

 an inch long. The body is distinctly thin and tall, with pro thorax 

 widest in front and two horns above the head. 



Life History. — The females deposit their two or three hundred eggs 

 in large holes made through the bark of the limbs with their saw-like 

 ovipositors. They usually select the two or three 

 years' growth, which they often completely kill. The 

 wingless n^ymphs emerge in the spring, having hiber- 

 nated over the winter in the eggs, and begin feeding 

 , uiioii the leaves. 

 Pig. .34. — The Distribution. — Throughout the entire State. 



buffalo tree-hop- 



Tis'Fab^^"' ^"^"' -^^^^ Plants.— The principal injuries are due to the 

 puncturing for egg laying in the smaller limbs of 

 various trees ; this process being very destructive to nursery trees. 

 Deciduous fruits as well as many other trees and .shrubs are attacked 

 in this way. 



The insects feed upon all kinds of succulent vegetation, including 

 vegetables and weeds. 



Control. — Control measures are very difficult and impracticable, due 

 to the wide distribution and great variety of food plants, but in cases 

 where great damage is done in making the egg punctures in the twigs, 

 the pest may be reduced for the following year by an application of 

 kerosene or distillate emulsion as soon as the young appear. The 

 cutting out of punctured branches during the winter and practicing 

 clean culture also aid in checking their ravages. 



JASSIDv^ (Family). 



LEAF-HOPPERS. 



The leaf-hoppers are also small insects and are specially active, 

 being able to jump very freely and great distances. They greatly 

 resemble the tree-hoppers but the prothorax does not extend back over 

 the abdomen. The hind tibige have two very characteristic rows of 

 spines below. The members of this family are exceedingly numerous 

 and may be found upon most any kind of vegetation. There are two 

 common and destructive species in California: the npple leaf-hopper 

 and the grape leaf-hopper. 



