22 
BULLETIN" 964, TJ. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
second and third joints of the proboscis. Probably in this pumping 
procedure the food is taken into the body through the proboscis. 
After continuing this process for several minutes at a time the pro- 
boscis is straightened and drawn from the tissue of the leaf and swung 
to its natural position on the ventral surface of the body for a short 
time; then it is again swung down and cleansed by a stroking process 
with the forelegs which clasp the proboscis between the tarsal joints. 
After gradually sliding the proboscis through them the insect starts 
feeding again. 
This habit has been noted alike in all ages of the nymph and adults, 
both males and females. 
Fig. 16. — Type of cage used in conducting molting experiments with the garden flea-hopper. 
PROTECTIVE HABITS. 
Both the males and females are saltatorial. as the metathoracic 
legs are much longer and stronger than the others. The male is 
found to be decidedly more active than the brachypterous female, a 
fact probably due to the possession, in addition, of true wings. The 
adult individuals generally are active and strong as runners and hop- 
pers. When they are only slightly disturbed they hasten imme- 
diately for concealment to the opposite side of the leaf of the plant. 
If the approaching object, however, appears with a violent disturb- 
ance, the individual will hop many times its own length to the ground 
or to another plant where immediate protection may be found. 
