GARDEN FLEA-HOPPER IN ALFALFA; 



23 



In a number of experiments different individuals were placed on a 

 large horizontal screen within the room, and the distance of jumps 

 made on the screen ranged from three inches to nearly tln-ee feet. 

 In the latter instances they seemingly sustained themselves in the 

 air by the aid of their wings. 



The nymphs of the first stage are not saltatorial until nearly time 

 for molting; when disturbed, then, they show slight saltatorial ten- 

 dencies but are usually very quiet even when disturbed, and merely 

 move slowly to another position on the plant out of danger. They 

 feed on the same place sometimes through several instars. The last 

 three or four instars of the nymph have the same habits of locomo- 

 tion and are as active as the adults. 



Fig. 17.— Tyiie of cagp used in conducting rearing experiments with the garden flea-hopper. 

 REARING METHODS. 



Some difficulty was experienced in acquiring a satisfactory and 

 serviceable rearing cage for tlu> different experiments carried on 

 with this species. Test tubes (fig. IG) were first used as containers 

 for molting experiments and lamp-chimney cages for life-history 

 work. The inaccuracy of the results with these rearing cages neces- 

 sitated the substitution of one which would be more convenient. 

 The best results were obtained with rearing cages constructed of 1 

 and 2-inch glass cylinders with cork bases and cloth tops sealed at 

 the edges with glue (fig. 17), each cork base containing 9 by 30 mm. 

 vials with water, and plant food for the insects. The 1-inch cages 

 were attended with greatest success in molting experiments, while the 

 2-inch cages were used with advantage in life-history work. 



