292 PRAIRIE COMMUNITIES 
small circular openings on the abdomen can often be seen sticking to 
the food plant (Fig. 300). The aphis-lion, which is the larva of the 
golden-eyed lacewing, feeds upon them (Fig. 301). The eggs of the 
lacewing are peculiar in that each is attached to a stalk. This is 
supposed to be an adaptation preventing the larvae already hatched 
from devouring the remaining eggs. The larva of the syrphus fly 
(Mesogramma sp.) (Fig. 302) devours the aphids in numbers. Lady- 
beetles, both adults and larvae (Hippodamia parenthesis Say, Megilla 
maculata) (Fig. 303), eat aphids. 
In June the narrow leaf-bug (Miris dolobrata) and the dark leaf-bug 
(Horcias goniphorus) are usually very abundant; both are characteristic. 
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Fic. 302.—A syrphus fly (Mesogramma polita), adult (after Forbes): a, the 
larva which feeds on aphids; 6, pupa; enlarged as indicated (from Forbes after 
Riley and Howard, Div. Ent., U.S. Dept. Agr.). 
Later in the season their places are taken by several others (Lygus 
pratensis and Adelphocoris rapidus). The garden flea-hopper (Halticus 
uhleri) occurs on the under side of leaves. The squash-bug family is 
represented by Alydus conspersus. 
The tree-hoppers are represented by the buffalo tree-hopper (Ceresa 
bubalus), and the curve-horned tree-hopper (Campylenchia curvata). 
The only lantern-fly recorded is Amphiscepa bivittata. Leaf-hoppers are 
numerous; about ten species have been taken. 
The species of Orthoptera are mainly different from those of the low 
prairie. The 2-lined and short-winged brown locusts still continue. 
Xiphidium strictum (Fig. 304) takes the place of fasciatum. The com- 
mon meadow grasshopper (Orchelimum vulgare) and an occasional Texas 
