35 



The wings grow only after the last moulting; henceforward, it is a 

 perfect insect, a cicadella. Its length is from 0.35 to 0.39 of an inch. It 

 is of an ash-grey colour, with some lighter parts, looking like slanting 

 streaks on the fore wings of the male. Like most of its congeners, it jumps 

 nimbly. 



The female lays its eggs in the fall of the year. They remain dormant 

 during the winter and hatch in the following spring. Below Quebec, they 

 hatch by the end of June. 



By their punctures the larvae weaken the plants on which they live, 

 turning the young shoots yellow. The damage is rarely considerable, 

 the insects never showing in large numbers. 



The larvae are easily destroyed. One may crush them between thumb 

 and finger, or collect and burn them. A good way is to sprinkle the froth 

 with powdered quick lime. 



This insect is further known under the name of Cercopis spiimaria, 

 Cercope ecumeiise, cigale ecumeiise. As just mentioned above, it causes 

 little damage, though it is found on a great variety of plants. It is seen some- 

 times in large quantities on young willow branches, to such a degree that 

 under those trees the froth falls like drippings, commonly named "Willow 

 tears." It causes sometimes much damage when it introduces itself in 

 the frames and sometimes in the green-houses used for the forcing of roses, 

 carnations, and strawberries. 



