238 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



of the insect is nearly trianyular when viewed from above and measures 

 almost 1 14 inches in length, while the wings spread nearly 2 inches. This 

 species maybe readily distinguished from the 17 year cicada, Tib ice n 

 septendecim Linn., by its stouter form, its yellowish and greenish 

 markings on the head and thorax and the green veins of the wings. 

 A single specimen was taken by the writer on hard pine at Karner, July 19, 

 1 90 1. It is much more frequently met with on other trees, particularly 

 maple, oak and horse-chestnut. It is said that two years are required to 

 complete its life cycle. 



The ugly clay-colored nymph of this insect may be met with in mid- 

 summer as it forsakes the earth and crawls on a tree to cast its skin and 

 appear in the adult form. This operation is an extremely interesting one 

 and requires only a few hours for its completion. The pupal skin cracks 

 over the thorax and the insect gradually works its way out by a series of 

 irregular jerks and during the process presents to the observer's eye very 

 delicate and beautiful shades of pink and green. The bright pink simple 

 eyes, or ocelli, and the alternating dark and brass-colored markings on the 

 head and prothorax make an admirable combination, which is further 

 enhanced by the delicate yellow on the costal margin of the wings and the 

 bright green of most of the veins. The tarsi or feet are reddish at this 

 stage. The irregular jerking continues and the limp legs and wings are 

 slowly dragged from their cases by the weight of the backward bending 

 body and are moved only after a lapse of five to 10 minutes and then but 

 feebly. The fully extended wings are a delicate green with traces of yellow 

 at the outer third of the costal margin. This latter color disappears soon 

 and the fully emerged insect is then a beautiful object with its delicate pea- 

 green organs of tlight. The entire time occupied by this transformation is 

 about an hour, though the insect does not fly readily for several hours. 



This species is rarely present in sufficient numbers to cause serious 

 injury, though its large size makes it an object of special interest. 



