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FAMILY CERCOPID-ffi. 



(Froghoppers.) (Plate 48, Fig". 11) 



These are small insects with roof-like bodies and 

 rounded heads. The popular name of ''frog- 

 hoppers" has been given because of their leaping 

 habits. They have the hemipterous piercing and 

 sucking mouth. 



The metamorphosis is incomplete. The eggs are 

 laid on' the bark of young gum-trees, and when 

 the young come forth they may be seen clustering 

 together. They secrete a sweet fluid called honey- 

 dew, and so certain species of ants are on very 

 friendly terms with them, running over them and 

 standing beside them partaking of the sweets, while 

 they thus protect them from other enemies. 



The larvag are usually cream, with brown, black, 

 or red markings, and they hop when touched. The 

 larger larvae, or nymphs, show wing-pads. Ants 

 are found on both larvae and adults. The species 

 we have observed attending these are the 

 gravel ant {Iridiomyrmex rufoniger), the golden- 

 bodied ant (Polyrhachis awmon), and several species 

 of Camponotus (sugar ant). 



One of the commonest species of froghoppers on 

 gums (Eucalyptus) is the genus Eurymela. (Plate 

 48, Fig. 11.) Certain species secrete such quantities 

 of juice that it forms a frothy mass or spittle, in 

 which several froghoppers live; they are called 

 *' spittle insects." 



