158 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
margin projecting beyond the anterior pads, broadly rounded; 
anterior margin more nearly straight, being shaped like costal 
of wing in the adult. 
Abdomen widest at segments three and four, narrowing 
anteriorly to the first. Posteriorly it is broadly rounded. Seg- 
ments one to five present short, sparse, marginal wax hairs 
or bristles, while the three terminal joints have numerous long 
wax hairs which become more numerous toward tip of abdo- 
men. Anus reniform, with the notch turned backward. 
The ventral surface usually a little lighter colored than the 
dorsal. Clypeus is prominent and of a more yellowish color. 
Mouth-parts distinct, first joint received by sternal lobes; the 
second short, quadrangular; the third or distal one longer, 
conical, tip black, and sometimes turned forward. Hind legs 
as yet not specially developed. All the coxae are quite well 
defined, trochanters usually distinct. 
Brief History . — This species was first noticed at Ames by Mr. 
F. A. Sirrine during the spring of 1893. The larv^ were found 
feeding in the opening buds and at the base of quite young 
leaves. Since then the life history has been traced in detail 
and some of the more important facts will be given. 
The eggs are deposited in autumn just as soon as the leaves 
begin to fall. They are inserted closely around the edge of the 
buds, but are attached to the twig, so in case the bud is broken 
off the eggs still remain in place. They hatch in early spring, 
enter the opening buds and feed by sucking the juices from the 
young tissue. When the leaves are large and have a long 
petiole, the young larva may be found anywhere on the under 
side of the leaf, on the petiole, or more preferably at the axil of 
the leaf, with head downward, i. e. toward the stem, and 
crowded as far down as possible for protection. In this posi- 
tion they may be observed for hours, sitting very quietly, only 
moving the abdomen laterally or vertically occasionally so as to 
remove the white mass of excreta and the cottony wax secre- 
tion. They pass through five stages^ and emerge as adults 
about the middle of May or the first of June. The adults live 
on the trees during the summer months, feeding on the plant 
juices, pairing, and maturing the eggs till autumn. When the 
leaves begin to fall and expose the buds the female begins 
SEuropean authors record only four larval stages. With specimens of this species, 
and also of Aphatara polygoni, five stages were recorded. The stage that was most 
dilBEicult to observe was the one from the hatching of the larva up to the first moult. 
After that the stages were more easily watched.' 
