SNOWY TREE-CRICKET 



141 



Life History. The eggs are laid in the late fall, gashes being 

 cut in the stems by the female for this purpose (Fig. 160). The 

 canes are thus weakened, breaking down tinder the weight of 

 snow or by the influence of the wind. The eggs hatch in late spring. 

 Figure 161 illustrates interesting features in connection with the 

 life history of tree crickets. Figure 162 gives a clear idea of the 

 different stages in the hatching. 



Habits. These insects, while harm- 

 ful, should be credited with doing a large 

 amount of good, in that they feed upon 

 plant lice and other insects and rarely 

 nibble the foliage, either in the adult 



FIG. 159. A snowy tree-cricket, male and 

 female. (Lugger.) 



Fio. 160. Eggs of a snowy tree-cricket: 

 a, twig showing punctures; b, twig split open 

 to show eggs; c, egg and cap, enlarged. 

 (After Riley.) 



or nymph stages. In the South the insect has two broods a year. 

 As intimated above, the only damage by this insect is that caused 

 by cutting gashes for the eggs. A long, ragged wound in the cane 

 marks the point of egg-laying, and if this rough surface is cut 

 away a series of longitudinal punctures will be found. Each punc- 

 ture extends to the pith, and an egg is placed in the bottom of 

 each. Infected canes, in many cases, if not broken down during 

 the winter, fail to put out leaves in the spring. 



For a most excellent account of tree-crickets the reader is 

 urged to see Bulletin 388 of the New York (Geneva) Station, 



