2Q2 



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. 



FIG. 302. A syrphus fly (Mesogramma polita), adult (after Forbes): a, the 

 larva which feeds on aphids; b, 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 bimttata. 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 



