46 



INSECTS INJURIOUS TO THE APPLE. 



FIG 36. 



yellowish streak along each side. On the front there is a 

 sharp process or point jutting out horizontally on each 

 side, reminding one of the horns of a bull 

 or buffalo, which has given to the insect its 

 common name of buffalo tree-hopper. Its 

 body is three-sided, not unlike a beech-nut 

 in form, and it is furnished with a sharp- 

 pointed beak, with which it punctures the 

 bark and sucks the sap from the trees. 



It is common on apple and many other 

 trees from July until the end of the season. 

 The eggs are said to be laid in a single row 

 of slits in the bark, and when hatched the young larvae, which 

 are grass-green like their parents, feed also on the sap of the 

 leaves and twigs. 



In the larval state, before the power of flight is acquired, 

 the insect is easily caught and destroyed ; but it is not easy 

 to suggest a remedy for so active a creature as the perfect 

 insect is. It cannot be killed by any poisonous application, 

 as it feeds only on sap. It has been suggested that where 

 they are so numerous as to injure fruit-trees they may be 

 frightened away by frequently shaking the trees, as they are 

 very shy and timorous. It is, however, scarcely probable 

 that this insect will ever become a source of much annoyance 

 to the fruit-grower. 



No. 19. The Thorn-bush Tree-hopper. 



Thelia cratcegi Fitch. 



This is an insect similar in structure 

 and habits to the buffalo tree-hopper. 

 It is common on apple-trees, but more 

 common on thorn-bushes, in July and 

 August, when it may be seen resting 

 upon the small limbs and sucking the 

 sap. When approached, it leaps away 

 with a sudden spring, and is lost to view. 



FIG. 37. 



