284 PRAIRIE COMMUNITIES 
sometimes taken. The slender meadow grasshopper (Xiphidium fasci- 
taum) is common, but breeds in the sedge zone. _ A flea-beetle (Monachus 
saponatus), the 12-spotted Diabrotica (Diabrotica 12-punctata) (156), 
and the salt-meadow snout-beetle (Endalus limatulus) (156) are the 
chief beetles. 
The spiders (Epeira trivittata and Tetragnatha laboriosa) are common. 
The flies of this girdle are perhaps the most noteworthy insects. Several 
species of brownish or yellowish flies with conspicuously marked wings 
are nearly always common. They are Sciomyzidae (Tetanocera plumosa 
and umbrarum) (Fig. 283). Other characteristic 
flies are Osinidae (Chlorops sulphurea Leow.), 
midges, mosquitoes, Dolichopodidae, Rosophilidae, 
and Anthomyidae. The blue and yellow moth 
(Scepsis fulvicollis) is common. 
Boneset and sedge girdle: The buffalo tree- 
hopper (Ceresa bubalus) (Fig. 259) is found here. 
The dusky (Fig. 261) and tarnished plant-bugs 
(Fig. 262) suck the juices of the mint and other 
plants. The ambush-bug and the damsel-bug 
often lie in wait in the blossoms for prey. 
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290 291 
Frc. 290.—Larva of the salt-marsh caterpillar (Estigmena acraea Dru.); natural 
size (after Forbes). 
Fic. 291.—Adult female of the same; natural size (after Forbes). 
Aphids occur and with them are the syrphus flies, lady-beetles, 
and other aphid enemies (164), which are discussed more fully in 
connection with high prairies. The bright green beetle (Chryschus 
auratus) feeds on the small-leafed milkweed. One of the corn “bill- 
bugs” (174) or snout-beetles (Sphenophorus pertinax Oliv.), another 
snout-beetle (Cryptocephalus venustus), common garden pests, as well as 
the leaf-beetle (T'ypophorus canellus) are common (174). 
One of the most characteristic groups of the low prairie is that of the 
grass-feeding larvae. The first of these to appear in spring is the grass 
