ELM LEAF-HOPPERS. 281 



59. Poeciloptera prui)iosa Say. 

 Order Hemiptera; suborder Homoptera; family Fulgorid^. 



The following notes are from Professor Riley : 



Numerous larvae of this insect were noticed to infest the twigs and leaves of elm 

 and Celtis, June 20, 1883, on the Agricultural grounds at Washington, D. C. They 

 are also stationed on the lower side of both leaves and twigs, generally in larger or 

 smaller colonies. They are white or pale greenish, with pale-brown eyes and black 

 or brown claws. They are covered with a white, thread-like excretion, which at the 

 end of the body forms a compact tuft. This excretion adheres only slightly to the 

 insect, and is readily displaced if the insect is touched or is moving about. By the 

 3d of July they become fully grown, and vary considerably in color, some remaining 

 white, whilst others acquire a pale grayish-blue color. The same insect was also 

 noticed to feed ou maple, red clover, Erigeron canadense, and quite a number of 

 other low plants and shrubs. It is attacked by a species of Gonatopus, which feeds 

 on them externally, and is generally attached in the region of the wing pads. Before 

 preparing for pupation they cast their skin, which remains in position on their host, 

 and form underneath it, on the leaf or branch, a circular, very low, convex, semi- 

 transparent cocoon, which is covered with the white excretion of their host, render- 

 ing thereby their detection rather difficult. The perfect insect issues in July. A 

 second external parasite is a small red mite which appears to be the young form of 

 a Trombidium. One of these mites was noticed to have settled on the eye of one of 

 the larvae. It has only six legs, a free, small head, with stout three-jointed palpi, 

 and a very curious sucking mouth ; it is circular, apparently concave on its lower 

 side, and its margin closely beset with lancet-shaped spines. (Unpublished notes.) 



60. The three-banded leaf hopper. 



Typhlocyha tricincta (Fitch). 

 Order Hemiptera ; family Cercopid^. 



About the middle of June, this pale-yellow leaf hopper, distinguished 

 by two transverse dusky bands (one across the middle and one at the 

 tips of the wing-covers) and a dusky cloud upon the scutellum, was 

 abundant enough ut)on the leaves of the white elm at Normal to do 

 considerable damage. This species, described by Fitch in his third 

 report as State entomologist of New York (p. 74), was originally 

 found by him in abundance on raspberry and currant bushes, and on 

 grape-vines. (Forbes' Third Report.) 



61. The elm gall-mite. 

 Phytoptus uJmtGarman. 



Mr. H. Garman describes this species (Forbes' First Report Insects 

 of Illinois) as follows : 



Produces galls on the leaves of the white elm, Ulmus americana Linn. 



A slender species, with from 67 to 70 striae. Prongs of the feather-like tarsal 

 appendage, three. Length of specimens preserved in alcohol .17™™. 



In general form this gall resembles that found ou the leaves of the soft maple, but 

 it is smaller, more slender, and contracts less abruptly to the neck. It is from .077 to 



