HABITS OF THE LAKVA. 23 
ber of adults were taken from the open on leaves of nasturtium and 
were placed in vials. These died in April, giving a length of life 
after being collected of 92 days. As adults have never been observed 
to emerge from pupae later than December 27, these adults must have 
been at least 21 days old when collected, so that they lived about 113 
days. Probably hibernating individuals live as long as 5 months. 
HABITS OF THE LARVA. 
In observing the habits of the larva of this thrips, the writer was 
constantly impressed with the great similarity that existed between 
this species and the greenhouse thrips. This is" so great that the 
description of habits of the one would almost equally fit the other. 
HATCHING. 
Apparently the hatching process may occur at any time during 
the da}^. Many have been observed hatching early in the morning 
and one larva was observed emerging from the egg cavity at 4.25 
p. m. Very slowly this larva pushed its way out of the egg cavity, 1 
during which time the appendages were all held closely appressed 
to the body and were invisible. As soon as the body was nearly out 
the insect began a slow forward and backward movement and at 
4.40 p. m. all but the tip of the abdomen was free, while the larva pro^ 
jected straight out from the leaf surface. While held in this position 
it began slowly to unfold the limbs and antennse and move them 
around. The motion was very feeble at first, but gradually the larva 
seemed to gain strength and at 4.48 p. m. it bent over and, grasping 
the leaf surface, began to pull with its limbs in order to free itself. 
This was accomplished at 4.53 p. m., making the total period required 
in emerging from the egg 28 minutes. 
The larva? of this insect after hatching move away a short distance, 
then appear to rest for a few minutes until they become stronger. 
Within a short time, however, they move on and soon commence 
feeding. When first hatched the larvae are very minute and almost 
colorless, but as they begin to feed and drain the green coloring 
matter from the leaf the alimentary tract becomes plainly visible 
from the contained food. In a few days the color of the body 
becomes more or less yellowish and blotched with crimson. In com- 
mon with other species of Heliothrips, the larvae of the present 
species keep the tip of the abdomen elevated and carry around on it 
a small globule of reddish liquid excrement. Gradually this globule 
increases in size until it is too large to be carried any longer and it 
falls to the leaf surface. Here in time it dries and forms a black 
spot or scale. The occurrence of these spots on the leaf of a plant 
1 This larva emerges from the egg by the same method that is used by the conchuela 
(Pentatoma Ugata Say) as described by Morrill (Bui. 86, Bur. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agr., pp. 
38-39). 
