OF THE FAEM AND GAEDEK. 259 



THE GRAPE LEAF-HOPPER, 



(Tettigonia vitis, Harris.) 



In many parts of the country, if one passes through a 

 vineyard during July or August, he will be annoyed by the 

 clouds of a small insect Avhich, as it ilies, appears as if it 

 were of a dirty white color. These insects are generally 

 known as "Thrips," a name belonging to a different 

 genus, and which should be superseded by Leaf-hopper. 

 The insect belongs to the Order Hemiptera, or true Bugs. 

 It is the Tettigonia vitis of Harris (though some authors 

 place it in Erythroneurd), who thus describes it: " In its 

 perfect state it measures one-tenth of inch 

 in length. It is of a pale-yellow color ; 

 there are two little red lines on the 

 head. The back part of the thorax, 

 the scutel, the base of the wing-covers, 

 and a broad band across their middle 

 are scarlet; the tips of the wing-covers 

 Fig. 156.— GRAPE are blackish, and there are some little 

 LEAT-HoppEii. j.g^ li^eg between the broad band and 

 the tips. The head is crescent-shaped above, and the 

 eyelets are situated just below the ridge of the front." 

 The insects appear upon the underside of the leaves 

 in June, but are not much noticed, as they do not 

 have their wings until later. They pass their larvae state 

 quietly, sucking at the juices of the leaves, which they 

 penetrate with their beaks, though if disturbed at this 

 time, they leap from leaf to leaf in a lively manner. 

 They undergo all their changes on the leaves, and their 

 empty skins may be found on the underside of the leaves, 

 or upon the ground beneath the vine, in great numbers. 

 The insect probably hibernates in the perfect state, hid- 

 den in the rubbish and fn tiifts of grass. When present 

 in great numbers, they rob the vine of its proper nutri- 



