Marvels of Insect Life. 





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Photo bv] 



Common Frog-Hopper. 



The frog-hopper is commonly seen at rest, with its wings neatly folded. Here it is shown as 

 a flying Insect, with the wings fully e.\tended. The photograph is nine times the natural size. 



is a gourmand, sucking 

 at this sap far beyond the 

 requirements of its nutri- 

 tion, until it is so full that 

 the surplus oozes through 

 the skin at all points and 

 forms the froth in which 

 it is buried. The possessor 

 of the smallest garden has 

 it in his power to deter- 

 mine in a few minutes 

 that this is not an accu- 

 rate description. The 

 frog-hopper is one of those 

 Insects that do not under- 

 go any sudden, or ap- 

 parently sudden, change of form. The onlv difference, apart from size, between its 

 infant and adult condition is that in the latter it has acquired two pairs of wings, which 

 are not greatlv unlike. When it leaves the egg there is no sign of these wings, but 

 after several changes of skin the beginnings of these, tightly packed up in little pads, 

 may be seen upon what popularly mav be termed the shoulders. At the final 

 moult these expand to such an extent that thev entirely cover the hind-body ; the 

 hinder pair folding under the more leather}^ fore-wings and their edges meeting 

 accurately along the middle line of the back, they form a sort of span-roof to the body. 

 To return to the frog-hopper in the grub or nymph stage. If we clear 

 off the mass of froth in which it is hidden, by gently prodding the creature from 

 behind we shall get it to move prettv briskly to a clear part of the stem, where we 

 can watch what happens. During its movement the Insect has kept the beak 

 folded close against its breast, but it now unfolds it, and thrusts it into the tender 

 shoot and begins to suck. In a short time we notice that it is discharging a clear 

 fluid from the hinder end of the body, which flows over and under it, so that it 

 appears to be in danger of drowning. There is no sign of froth or bubbles. It is 



simplv retaining the small 

 amount of n u t r i t i v e 

 matter dissolved in the 

 sap, and passing off the 

 clear liquid, which is 

 slightly viscid, like soapy 

 water. About half an 

 hour after its disturbance 

 it may be seen actively 

 moving its " tail," or 

 hinder segment, up and 

 down and from side 

 to side. With each 



Photo hv\ 



The Alder FRor.-HopPER. 



[£. Step, F.L.S. 



This species is twice the size of the common frog-hopper, and of a grevish-brown colour. It is 

 found rhiefiy on the alder. From this side view one is struck bv the resemblance ot the head 

 to that of a toad; and it suggests that the name of frog hopper has reference not only to the 

 leaping powers of these Insects, but also to the form of the fore-parts. Si.x times the 'natural 

 size. 



