238 NEW YOKK STATE MUSELM 



of the insect is nearl\ triangular wlu-n viewed from above anil measures 

 almost I '4 incln:s in length, while the wings spread neaVly 2 inches. This 

 species maybe readily distinguished from the 17 year cicada, T i b i c e n 

 septendecim Linn., by its stouter forin. its yellowish and greenish 

 markings on the head and thorax and the green veins of the wings. 

 A single specimen was taken by the writer on hard pine at Karner, July 19, 

 1901. It is much more frequently met with on other trees, particularly 

 maple, oak and horse-chestnut. It is said tiiat two years are required to 

 complete its life cycle. 



The ugly clay-colored nym[)h of this insect may be met with in mitl- 

 siimmer as it forsakes the earth and crawls on a tree to cast its skin and 

 appear in the adult form. This operation is an e.xtremely interesting one 

 and recjuires only a few hours for its completion. The pupal skin cracks 

 over the thorax and the insect gradually works its Avay out by a series of 

 irregular jerks and during the process presents to the observer's eye very 

 delicate and beautiful shades of pink and grc-cn. The bright pink simple 

 eyes, or ocelli, and the alternating dark and Ijrass-colored markings on the 

 head and prothorax make an admirable combination, which is further 

 enhanced by the delicate yellow on the costal margin of the wings and the 

 bright green of most of the veins. The tarsi or feet are reddish at this 

 stage. The irregular jerking continues and the limp legs and wings are 

 slowly dragged from their cases by the weight of the backward bending 

 body and are moved only after a lapse of five to 10 minutes and then Init 

 feebly. 1 he fulh extended wings are a delicate green with traces of jellow 

 at the outer third of the costal margin. This latter colcjr disaj^pears soon 

 and the fully emerged insect is then a beautiful object with its delicate pea- 

 green organs of flight. The eiuin; time occupied by this transformation is 

 about an hour, though the insect does not fly readily for several hours. 



This species is rarely present in sufficient numbers to cause serious 

 injury, though its large size makes it an object of special interest. 



