Order HOMOPTERA. 



This ordinal term is employed for those Rliyngota in which the two pairs of 

 wings are either similar in texture, as in the plant-lice and Cicada, or the 

 primaries are of the same texture throughout, though they may be different 

 from that of the secondaries, as in the leaf-hoppers. 



The mouth parts are composed of four lancets, of which two are usually grown 

 together, concealed in a jointed beak, except in the Coccidcc or scale insects. 

 Usually the base of the beak is on the under side of the head, well back, and its 

 point is directed obliquely backward $o that it rests between the haunches of 

 the front legs. 



All the species are plant-feeders, pierc- 

 ing the tissue by means of the lancets and 

 exhausting the cells beneath. They are, 

 therefore, of importance to the Agricul- 

 turist, and, as a matter of fact, some of our 

 most destructive species and those most 

 difficult to deal with belong to this order. 

 In a general way the transformations or 

 metamorphoses are incomplete, but the 

 life histories of the species are often 

 involved and some are distinctly unique. 

 Therefore no general recommendations 

 for treatment can be given under this 

 head save that stomach poisons are never 

 useful and that contact poisons must be 

 in all cases resorted to. 



There is no complete list or catalogue 

 of the order published and the collections 

 are incomplete, few collectors taking them 

 even incidentally ; hence the material at 

 hand has been scant and has been turned 

 over to Prof. Herbert Osborn, of the Ohio 

 Fig. 33,-Mouth structure of a plant louse: a, state University, who is responsible for 



the general arrangement, and to whom 

 all notes not otherwise bracketed must 

 be credited. All the economic suggestions, notes on life histories and recom- 

 mendations for treatment are mine. 



In the family Aphididic assistance has been received from Mr. Theo. Pergande, 

 of Washington, D. C. and in the Coccidcc Prof. T. D. A. Cockerell, of Mesilla 

 Park, N. M., has given useful suggestions. Prof. Osborn writes as follows : 



'This list, embracing the Homopterous fauna of New Jersey, is based, 

 primarily, on specimens collected in the State and many of them examined by 

 myself. Some are entered on the authority of Prof. P. R. Uhler, Mr. E. P. 

 Van Duzee or others credited in the record for each species. Usually a specified 

 locality is cited. Species recorded from the vicinity of New York City or 



beak ; i, the lancets ; c, tarsus : 

 greatly enlarged. 



6 ENT 



(81) 



