57 
LEAF-HOPPEES. 
Numerous species of leaf -hoppers, insects which obtain their food 
by suction in the same manner as plant-lice, are nearly always to be 
found on sugar beet and similar vegetables. None of these, however, 
appears to be restricted to vegetables for food, but usually develop 
on grasses, although occasionally also on other plants. As a rule, in 
their earlier stages they exhibit a decided limitation to the food plant 
on which they began breeding; but as the}^ near the more mature 
stages they assume the habit of feeding more indiscriminately. 
Considerable divergence is exhibited in regard to life histories; but 
since these insects are, as a rule, not particularly destructive to beets, 
further discussion of this general problem may be omitted. 
THE CURRANT LEAF-HOPPER. 
{Emjwasca mall Le B. ) 
This leaf -hopper is described b}^ Messrs. Forbes and Hart as " proba- 
bly our worst all-round leaf -hopper pest, so excessively abundant that 
notwithstanding its varied diet it is able to make a serious attack on 
quite a number of the cultivated plants on its list." It has been found 
in extreme abundance on sugar beet everywhere in Illinois, both as 
nymph and adult, showing its ability to breed on 
this plant. It also attacks beans, cowpea, potato, 
celery, and corn, and various fruits, as well as shade 
and forest trees. It is a tiny insect, pale green in 
all stages, and is apt to be confused with related 
species. The row of six (sometimes eight) white 
dots along the anterior margin of the prothorax 
distinguishes it from others. 
THE ELAVESCENT LEAF-HOPPER. 
Fig. bb.—Empoasca fla- 
vescens—highlj magni- 
fied (original, Division 
of Entomology). 
(EmpoascaflavescensFsiY.) 
Very similar to the preceding in appearance, size, 
habits, and distribution is the above-mentioned spe- 
cies (fig. 55). It is sometimes even more abundant. 
It is paler, nearly white, and has only three spots on the margin of 
the thorax. 
REMEDIES. 
As a result of studies of the life economy of leaf -hoppers, it has 
been ascertained that simply cutting the grass and perhaps some other 
plants affected, and leaving it in the field, will prevent eggs from 
hatching; the drying of ' the stems results in the crushing and distor- 
tion of the eggs, owing to the shrinkage of the plant tissues and the 
curling of the edges of the sheaths. 
