THE snow-flea: the family of podurid^e. 



207 



at the end of, the Neuroptera, but by some systematists they have been 

 united with the Lepisinatidiv (bristle-tails) into a separate order, known 

 as Thysanura. They have been so referred by Dr. Packard in the last 

 edition (8th, of 18S3) of his Guide to the Study of Insects. 



They are small species, varying from 0.04 too. 16 of an inch in length. 

 The largest species, OrchescUa fiavo-picta Packard, occurs in Albany, un- 

 der bark of stumps. 



They are commonly known as " Spring-tails " from the flexible anal 



stylet which is bent beneath the body, serving as a spring, by means of 



which they are enabled to make extraordinary 



leaps when compared with their diminutive 



size. They are commonly found 



FiG.Gi.— AcHORUTEspuRPURAscENs beueatli bark, stones, sticks, 



— enlarsed to 18 diameters (After . ' . 



Murray). boards, m crevices of wood, in 



cellars, in garden hotbeds, on snow, pools of water, damp 

 earth, manure, Boleti and Agarics, and in various other 

 similar locations. 



As illustrative of the genus to which the snow-flea be- 

 longs, an European species, Achorutcs ptirpui-ascens (Tub- 

 bock), is copied (Fig. 62), from Murray's Economic Ento- 

 mology. In Fig. 63, another view, copied from Science 

 Gossip, of the same insect is presented showing its under 

 surface, and the short forked spring characterizing the 

 different species of this genus. rotes "^pl^puras- 



A different type of the Poduridcc is shown in Fig. 64, der'side. 

 in Syntntluirus hortcusis Fitch, in which the short and nearly spherical 

 form approaches the spiders. It occurs abundantly in May and June, 



in gardens, in the State of New York, upon 

 the leaves of young cabbages, turnips, cu- 

 cumbers, and many other plants. It is be- 

 lieved to be injurious to the vegetation upon 

 which it is found, through its continuing the 

 attack made by the flea-beetles and other 

 insects of similar habits, and enlarging the 

 wounds or perforations made by them, by 

 feeding upon the soft matter formed by the 

 evaporation of the exuding juices. It is an 

 active insect, and quickly skips from the 



Fig. 64.— The Garden-flea, Smynthu- ipof if Hiqfiirhpd to flip crrnnnH Fnr nn 



Rus HORTENsis Fitch, greatly enlarged, '^ai, 11 uiscurueci, lo ine grouno. T or an 



with antennas still more enlarged (after • . ..• „ j •^^- c ..i i- 



Fitch). interesting description of the peculiar ap- 



paratus — the forked spring and catch — by means of which its leaps 

 are made, see Fitch's 8th Report (6th-9th Reports, p. i88). 



