16 



CIRCULAR 2 41, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



years ago, the fungus being identified by Prof. Koland Thaxter at 

 Harvard University. The writer called attention to the abundance 

 of this species and gave a brief description of its economic status in 

 an earlier publication (14), and later, in 1893 (17), added some facts 



concerning its life history 



DISTRIBUTION" AND FOOD PLANTS 



This is one of the most widely distributed American species of leaf 

 hoppers, occurring throughout practically all of North America south 

 of the strictly boreal portions of Canada. During the collections of 



Figueb 2. — The tenderfoot leaf hopper (DraeculacephaJa mollipes) : a, Adult, X: 

 ~b, face ; c, vertex and pronotum ; d, female genitalia ; e, male genitalia ; f, wing ; 

 g, h, nymphs 



1909 and 1910 it was found at every locality visited and usually in 

 considerable numbers. Its range in food plants is also considerable, 

 although it has apparently a distinct preference for certain grasses 

 growing in the moister ground. It has been taken upon wheat, oats, 

 rye, and barley, and the list of grasses affected includes many species. 

 Bluegrass is apparently a less favored food plant, although it is often 

 found in bluegrass fields, especially where other grasses are present. 



DESCRIPTION 



The adult insect is of a bright grass-green color, quite slender in 

 form, and when resting upon a blade of grass is very inconspicuous, 

 in fact, can scarcely be seen unless it jumps or takes wing. The head 



