52 . MISCELLANEOUS COTTON INSECTS. 



It will be seen that the eggs hatch in six or seven days; but that 

 the period of o\ iposition lasts for a number of weeks, so that the two 

 broods overlap more or less. There seems abundant evidence that 

 there are two and more proba1)ly three full l)roods. Concerning this 

 matter Prof. K. D. Ball, one of the best authorities on the Jassid.e, 

 writes as follows: 



If adults go over winter they would surely not have second stage larv?e by A]:)ril 

 14, as overwintering species usually have to feed long enough in the spring to develop 

 their eggs, and usually larvte are later in appearing than from overwintering eggs by 

 about a month. The record of "sexes copulating May 20" would be about the 

 record I should expect for an overwinter adult. 



However, as previously" noted, the adults frequently come out and 

 feed on warm days during the winter months, and as the season was 

 early and the previous wintei* ver}" open in 11)04:, it is entirely possi- 

 ble that there may sometimes be an additional spring brood; but this 

 is luidoubtedly not true in the large majority of cases. 



These insects seem to be much more active in the spring than in the 

 fall, but are decidedly more hardy in the fall. On October 11 it was 

 ol)served that they did not move around much and were not easily 

 disturbed. Early in the morning, in early sununer, they will jump 

 like a grasshopper when disturbed; but if the plant is slightly jarred 

 in the middle of the day they fly with a distinct buzz. 



Frequently a large white spot of lime-like matter is found toward 

 the tip of the wing of this species, often more or less rubbed off. 

 Mr. Sanborn has observed the formation of this spot: 



It is transferred to the wing from the anus with the distal end of the metatibia. 

 When exuded it is globular and resembles an egg, but is not pure white. With an 

 adroit motion of the hind leg the insect secures the drop as it is drawn past the anus, 

 and with a forward movement it is brought against the side of the wing to which it 

 adheres. A similar spot is then placed in the same manner on the other wing. 

 These spots occur on both sexes. 



Food plants. — In addition to those mentioned above, the following 

 food plants have been observed: Wild grape {Vitis cmerea), Osage 

 orange, Johnson grass, thorn}" amaranth {Amaranthus sphiosus), 

 cocklebur {Xantlilain canadense)., gi'M^^N l^anana, and apple. Riley 

 and Chittenden record it as attacking asparagus in South Carolina. 



Supposed Injury. — During August there is always considerable com- 

 plaint that "'sharpshooters" are injuring cotton by causing the squares 

 and small bolls to flare and drop. Many of these coinplaints have been 

 investigated. The writer has solicited reports of injury, with the ofl'er 

 to personally investigate them, and has had extensive correspondence 

 upon the matter with many plantei's, but no evidence of such injury 

 being due to this insect has been secured. On the other hand, all 

 manner of insects were sent us, many even considering the boUworm 



