28 



The insect is widely distributed in the East, but usually is not abun- 

 dant enough to seriously injure the itree. When they become excess- 

 ively abundant they cause the leaves and fruit to dry and fall. The 

 adult insect hibernates in crevices of the bark. These overwintering 

 specimens are brownish-black in color, with bronzy eyes. They emerge 

 from their hiding places in the early spring, mate, and the female begins 

 to lay eggs befoie the leaves are out. The eggs ai-e placed singl}^ or 

 in groups in crevices of the bark of the twigs or in old leaf scars, and, 

 when the leaves have unfolded, upon the leaves themselves. The larvae 

 hatch in about two weeks and begin to suck the juices from the leaves 

 and petioles. They at once commence to excrete honey-dew, and 

 when the insects are extremely numerous the amount of liquid secreted 



is enormous and fairlj^ rains from the 

 tree. A black fungus grows on the 

 honey -infested leaves and tree, so that 

 the whole soon has a smoked appear- 

 ance. In about thirty days the larva 

 becomes adult. Development contin- 

 ues all through the summer, and there 

 may be as many a five broods if the 

 season be long enough. It is only 

 known to attack the pear. 



FAMILY MEMBBACID^. 

 THE BUFFALO TEEE-HOPPER. 



{Ceresa huhalus Say — fig. 18.) 



Upon young fruit trees, particularly 

 the apple, one sometimes sees a series 

 of oval or elliptical scars that disfigure 

 and weaken the branches and render 

 them liable to other insect attack. 

 These scars are the results of the work of a curious insect, the buffalo 

 tree-Lopper. It is a grass-green, triangular insect that hops and flies 

 away when disturbed. The pronotum of the thorax is enlarged, as 

 with others of this family, to cover the head and most of the abdomen. 

 The anterior corners of the pronotum project laterally into acute 

 angles. In August and September the adult insects may be found on 

 the trees engaged in oviposition. The female cuts the bark with 

 her ovipositor in two nearly opposite curved slits, so that the bark 

 between is cut loose. Beneath each slit she deposits a series of from 

 6 to 12 eggs. These eggs hatch in the spring. The dead piece of 

 bark falls out and leaves the elliptical scar, which enlarges with the 

 subsequent growth of the twigs and becomes an inviting point for 

 the attack of other insects. There is but one brood each year. 



Fig. 18.— Ceresa hxCbalU: a, insect; (i, roccn t 

 punctures; c, eggs; e, old scars. ( Marlatt. ) 



