HEMIPTERA. 1 77 



scale as in most of the Fulgoridae, nor yet a lid, case, or bubble-like 

 expansion as in the Membracidae, but is* an important regional por- 

 tion, exercising various important functions." (Uhler.) 



Our most common representatives of the family are the insects 



known as spittle-insects or frog-hoppers. During the summer months 

 one often finds upon various shrubs and herbs masses of white froth. 

 In the midst of each of these masses there lives a young insect, a 

 member of this family. In some cases as man)- as four or five insects 

 inhabit the same mass of foam. The froth is supposed to consist of 

 sap, which the insect has pumped from the plant, by means of its 

 rostrum, and passed through its alimentary canal. It is asserted 

 that these insects undergo all their transformations within this mass; 

 that when one is about to moult for the last time, a clear space is 

 formed about its bod}-; the superficial part of the foam dries, so as 

 to form a vaulted roof to a closed chamber within which the change 

 of skin is made. The adult insects wander about on herbage 

 and trees. They have the power of leaping well. The name frog- 

 hoppers has doubtless grown out of the fact that formerly the froth 

 was called "frog-spittle," and was supposed to have been voided by 

 the tree-frogs from their mouths. The name is not, however, inap- 

 propriate; for the broad and depressed form of our more common 

 species is something like that of a frog. 



Our more common species of spittle-insects belong to the genus 

 Aphrdphora. The}- are mostly brownish insects, and are variously 

 banded and spotted. One of the common species of the Eastern 

 United States is Aphrdphora quadrangular is (Fig. 1471. The adult 

 of this species is a brownish insect, densely covered 

 with microscopic hairs, and black beneath ; the wing- 

 covers are marked with two oblique, brown bands, 

 which are confluent near the middle of the costal mar- 

 gin ; the humeral region is dusk}-; and the tip of F)G , 47 _ Aph _ 

 each wing-cover is marked with a small blackish curve; 'ring.. 

 the ocelli are black, but indistinct. This species 

 measures from 6 mm. to S mm. (0.24 to 0.31 inch) in length. 

 Somewhat resembling this species, and also common in the 

 East, is Aphrdphora quadranotdta. In this species the bodv is 

 pale; the wing-covers are dusk)-, each with two large hyaline costal 

 spots, margined with dark brown ; the ocelli are blood-red; and the 

 head and pronotum are furnished with a slightly elevated, median, 

 longitudinal line. 



To the genus Clastoptera belong certain other common members 



