LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Division of Entomology, 
Washington, D. ('.. May 1, 1-''-. 
Sir : The periodical, or seven teen-year, Cicada lias a peculiar interest 
in addition to its economic importance, in that it is distinctly American 
and has the longest life period of any known insect. Economically, it 
is chietly important in the adult stage from the likelihood of its injuring 
nursery stock and young fruit trees by depositing its eggs. Bulletin 8, 
old series, of this division, treated of this insect, but is now both out 
of print and out of date. Since its publication in 1885 a quantity of 
new facts have been obtained bearing on the long subterranean life of 
the insect and other facts relative to its habits above ground, as well as 
a considerable amount of data bearing on the distribution of the differ- 
ent broods. The late chief- of the Division, Dr. Riley, always took a 
strong interest in this species, and the Divisional observations and 
records made prior to June 1, 1894, were made under his active direc- 
tion. The recurrence the present year of two important broods makes 
this subject a timely one and wan ants the prompt publication of a new 
bulletin on this insect. This bulletin has been prepared by my first 
assistant, Mr. C. L. Marlatt, and includes a detailed account of the 
insect, its habits and transformations, natural enemies, the means of 
preventing its injuries, together with a review of the literature and a 
bibliography of the principal writings arranged chronologically. A 
summary of the distribution of the different broods is also given. 
It was originally designed that the bulletin should include not only 
a much more detailed and critical account of the distribution than is 
now given, but also a chronological history of the different broods, to 
be prepared by Mr. E. A. Schwarz, but the carrying out of this plan 
was prevented by the illness of Mr. Schwarz. 
The bulletin is abundantly illustrated, many of the figures being new. 
and the distribution of the broods is graphically shown by a series of 
maps prepared by Mr. R. S. Clifton. 
1 recommend its publication as Bulletin No. 1 1. new series. 
Respectfully, 
L. O. Howard, Entomologist, 
Hon. James Wilson, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
