HEMIPTERA 



Harvest Flies (Cicadidae) 



The cicadas, wrongly called locusts, are the largest repre- 

 sentatives of this order. The most celebrated of the several 

 species is the seventeen-year locust (Cicada septendecim) , 



FIG. 98. Seven teen-year cicada showing metamorphosis from nymph to adult as 

 it occurred between the hours of 9 P. M. and 10.30 P.M. Flashlight photographs, 

 one half natural size. 



which appeared in vast numbers in seventeen states during 

 1902. During the last days of May just at sundown under 

 the trees the numerous young, called 

 nymphs, peeped out of holes in the earth, 

 and a few minutes later came forth, walked 

 to the nearest tree, ascended some dis- 

 tance, and fixed their claws firmly in the 

 bark in preparation for molting. A fis- 

 sure appeared in the skin of the backs 

 from which issued the adult white cicadas. 

 The wings slowly expanded and the 

 changed creatures proceeded toward the 

 upper branches, where at daylight they 

 became of a dark hue and forced their beaks 

 through the tender bark in quest of sap. 

 In July the love song of the males, sounding much 

 like the rattle of the rattlesnake, made such a din in the 



FIG. 99. Seven- 

 teen-year cicada. 

 Natural size. 



