No. 11 — The Thrips (so called) {Tettigonia vitis, Hanis). The accompanying figure 

 represents, faithfully, the insect commonly known among vine-growers as " the Thrip." 

 The figures are magnified, the small hair lines adjoining showing the natural size. The 

 figure to the left shows the perfect insect, with its wings expanded. These so called 

 " Thrips," which are widely distributed, and exceedingly numerous and destructive to the 



vine, do not belong to the family of true Thrips 

 at all, and the fact of their being mis-named by 

 the fruit-growers has occasioned, in times past, 

 much confusion and uncertainty as to what was 

 really meant when this term was used. The true 

 " Thrips " is a smaller insect than this, and, as 

 Mr. Walsh, of Rock Island, III, has proved, is 

 an insect feeder, and hence a friend rather than 

 an enemy to the vine-grower, while the vine- 

 Fig. 50. growers' Thrips, as figured above, is a species of 



Tettigonia, the figure being that of Tettigonia vitis. This " vitis " is only one member of 

 a family. Mr. J. Pettit, of Grimsby, has found six distinct species in his neighborhood, 

 and we have noted four, while examining about a dozen specimens taken at random from 

 a vine. They are all much alike in size and general appearance, the points of distinction 

 being found in the varied markings of the wings. Besides vitis, we have tricincta and 

 vidnerata, comes, and obliqua, and probably not less than two species undescribed. In 

 vitis the colors are pale yellow and red. 



Now for its history : — The £t Thrips " is supposed to pass the winter in the perfect 

 state, hybernating under decaying leaves or other rubbish. Those which survive appear 

 early in spring, and deposit their eggs on the young leaves of the vine. The young progeny 

 make their appearance during the month of June, when they are quite small, and while 

 resembling the perfect insect in everything, excepting wings, of which they are destitute ; 

 they are in that condition and period of growth corresponding with the caterpillar or larva 

 in other insects. As they increase in size they several times shed their skins, which are 

 nearly white, and although exceedingly delicate and gossamer-like, remain for some time 

 attached to the under side of the leaves. They live and feed together on the under surface, 

 and are very quick in their movements, hopping almost as briskly as a flea Their hind 

 legs are constructed somewhat after the model of the grasshopper, elongated, and armed 

 with rows of spine?, by means of which they jump with great force. Mr. Walsh well 

 remarks that " they have a peculiar habit of running sideways, like a crab, and when 

 they see you looking at them upon one side of a leaf, they will often dodge round quickly 

 to the other side, as a squirrel dodges round to the opposite side of the trunk of a tree, 

 when he sees that he is noticed. Insects are more wide-awake than people generally 

 suppose." 



These little creatures are furnished with a sharp beak or proboscis, with which they 

 puncture the skin of the vine, and through which they suck up the sap. Wherever they 

 thrust their beaks and absorb the juices of the leaf, just there, on the upper surface, 

 appears a dull yellowish or brownish spot. While they are yet young and small, the 

 spots produced are also of small size, and scarcely attract attention, but as they increase in 

 size their abundant labors become very manifest, even to the most careless observer, for the 

 whole leaf assumes a sickly aspect, paled with yellowish spots, and as if scorched, drying 

 up, and prematurely dropping from the vine. Sometimes the vines are thus so defoliated 

 that the fruit fails to ripen for want of proper nourishment. Though small in size, their 

 immense numbers make up for any lack in this way, so that they really are a formidable 

 enemy, probably the most serious the vine-grower has to encounter. 



As it enters the second stage of its existence, corresponding to the chrysalis state of 

 moths and butterflies, it continues increasingly active. Diminutive wings now be<*in to 

 appear, which gradually grow until fully matured, when the insect is in it3 perfect con- 

 dition. This happens about August. The addition of wings increases its activity, and 

 its power of spreading itself. It continues active and mischievous till iabe in the season, 

 when it is supposed to seek shelter, and spend the winter in a state of torpidity, as 

 already stated. 



