ENTOMOLOGICAL CABINET. 



TETTIGONIA SPUMARIA. Fubr. 



Cicada Spumaria. Linn. 

 Cuckoo Spit, or Black-headed Froghopper, 



'* The larvae or grubs of this insect are well known 

 as discharging from their bodies, upon the branches 

 and leaves of plants, a kind of frothy matter called 

 by most people Cuckoo-spit. In the midst of this 

 they constantly reside, probably for shelter against 

 the rapacity of such stronger insects as would other- 

 wise prey upon them. Nature seems to have afforded 

 this kind of defence to the insects, as their naked 

 and soft bodies might otherwise very easily be in- 

 jured ; perhaps also the moisture of this foam may 

 serve to screen them from the sultry beams of the 

 sun. On removing the foam the grub is discovered 

 underneath ; but it will not remain long uncovered. 

 It soon emits fresh foam that again hides it from the 

 eye of observation. 



" It is in the midst of its foam that the larva goes 

 through its metamorphosis to a chrysalis and a winged 

 insect. This may be observed by any person who is 

 careful enough to watch when the froth begins a 

 little to subside. At this time he must put the insect 

 with its leaf under a glass. The froth, degenerating 

 to a white film, fixes the creature to the leaf: soon 

 after this the fly may be seen first putting out its 

 head, and afterwards by degrees its body. As soon 

 as the fore-part is out; a small protuberance will be 

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