1142 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XXXI, No. 12 
FIRST-STAGE NYMPH 
The nymphs of the first stage are of about the same color as the 
nearly hatched eggs, a very light brown, with a pinkish tinge. They 
are a little larger than the eggs and slightly more elongate, and the 
legs and antennae are threadlike and colorless (fig. 1, B). It may be 
remarked that the head of the embryo nymph develops within the 
long-pointed end of the egg, and that the general contour of the body 
after hatching much resembles the shape of the egg. This stage is 
spent entirely underground, the nymph evidently feeding upon the 
supply of decaying food usually provided by the adult female at the 
time of oviposition. 
Duration of the First Stage 
Twenty-one records of the duration of the first stage have been 
secured in the insectary. These cover a total of 132 days and give 
an average period of 6.29 days for this stage. As was the case with 
the incubation records, however, as well as with all subsequent records 
to be considered, cool weather undoubtedly resulted in the prolonga¬ 
tion of many of them, so that the average secured is probably rather 
longer than the correct annual average. Since 8 records oi 3 days 
were secured during the warm months of August, September, and 
early October, as well as 4 additional records of 4 days each, it seems 
evident that the midsummer period of the first stage is about 3 days. 
The longest record obtained was 19 days, from December 10 to 
December 29, 1923, but only 3 additional records were secured, each 
of 10 days or more. 
SECOND-STAGE NYMPH 
The nymphs of the second stage are about twice the size of those 
of the first stage. After the first molt the light color of the first 
stage is lost, and the nymphs of the second stage emerge bright red 
in color, slightly paler on the abdominal surface. The general shape 
of the insect can now be plainly distinguished, since it has attained 
a length of about one-eighth of an inch (fig. 1, C). The legs and 
antennae are now much longer and stronger, and in this stage the 
nymph is very active, being able to run about rapidly. Second- 
stage nymphs are sometimes, though rarely, seen above the surface 
of the ground, but usually, as in the case oi the first stage, this stage 
is spent below the surface. 
Duration of the Second Stage 
Thirteen records of the second-stage nymphs have been secured, 
occupying a total of 109 days, thus giving an average period of 8.39 
days. Four days are evidently the average midsummer duration 
of this stage, since four records of this length were secured in the 
warmer weather. The longest record covered 18 days, from Decem¬ 
ber 11 to December 29, 1923. 
THIRD-STAGE NYMPH 
In the third stage the insect is about twice as large as in the second 
stage, and resembles it closely except in size (fig. 1, D). The color 
is still an even, bright red, but the head, thorax, and abdomen can 
now be seen to be divided by very faint whitish lines. This stage 
