HOMOPTERA 



113 



The leafhoppers are slender, small insects, distinguished by the form 

 of the hind tibiae, which are nearly or quite as long as the abdomen, 

 curved, and armed with a row of spines on each margin (Fig. 

 188). 



Among the leafhoppers that have attracted attention on 

 account of their injuries to vegetation are the following: the 

 destructive leafhopper, Euscelis exitiosus, which is represented 

 greatly enlarged by Figure 189, sometimes infests 

 grains to a serious extent. The grape-vine leaf- 

 hopper, Erythroneura comes, is a well-known pest 

 that infests the leaves of the grape. It is about i4 J 

 one-eighth inch in length with varied markings fig. i8q — 

 of yellow and red on its back. Eleven varieties Eu ^ dis cxlti 

 of this one species have been described. The rose 

 leafhopper, Empoa rosce, is also a well-known pest, as it often swarms 

 on the leaves of roses, doing great damage. Its presence is usually in- 

 dicated by numerous white cast skins adhering to the lower side of the 

 leaves. The potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabcr, is one of the chief pests 

 of the potato. In addition to injuring the plants, it disseminates a disease 

 of the foliage known as "hopperburn." The adults are about | of an inch 

 long and of a pale yellowish-green color. 



Fig. 188. — On 

 comctopia undata 



Family Fulgorid^e 



The Lantern-fly Family 



This family is remarkable for certain exotic forms which it contains. 

 Chief among these is the great lantern-fly of Brazil. Scarcely less strange 

 are the candle-flies of China and the East Indies. The popular names of 

 these insects refer to the fact that they were thought to be phosphorescent, 

 but we know of no native species that possesses this peculiarity. There 

 does not seem to be any typical form of the body characteristic of this 

 family. The different genera differ so greatly, that on superficial exami- 

 nation they appear to have- very little in common. Some even resemble 

 butterflies and moths, while others might easily be mistaken for neuropter- 

 ous genera. 



The most useful character for recognizing these insects is the form 

 and position of the antennae. These have two large basal segments and a 

 bristle-like terminal portion. They are situated on the side of the cheek 

 beneath the eyes. Although the Fulgoridae are vegetable feeders, none 

 of our species has attracted the attention of agriculturists. There are, 

 however, certain exotic species which do great injury to crops. 

 The two accompanying fig- 

 ures will serve to show the 

 wonderful variations in form of 

 these insects ; many other types 

 exist. Figure 190 represents a 

 common species of Scolops, 

 which occurs in grassy places, fig. 191.- 

 In this genus the head is greatly prolonged, as with tnonalis - 

 the exotic candle-flies. Figure rgi represents Ormenis septentrionalis , a 

 beautiful pale-green species powdered with white, which feeds on wild 



Fig. 190. — Scolops. 



■ Ormenis seplen- 



