AGEOLOPHITUS. 47 



[ACROLOPHITUS, Thomas. 

 Acrolophitus, Thomas, Ann. Eep. U.S. Geol. Surv. Terr. ii. p. 278 (1871). 



The genus Acrolophitus is the type of a small group, the members of which are 

 mostly distributed over the plateau region north of Mexico and the western portions 

 of the United States. Until now a single species only has been recorded. In looking 

 over a number of specimens in the material before me, coming from various localities 

 between the Mexican boundary in the south and the Saskatchewan River in the north, 

 a great deal of variation in structure as well as colour is apparent. This being true, it 

 is evident that at least two, and possibly three, distinct species should be recognized. 

 For the present, however, but two such forms will be named, viz., the typical 

 A. hirtipes of Say, coming from the eastern foot-hills of the Rocky Mountains from 

 Southern Wyoming to Northern New Mexico ; the second, so far as known to the 

 writer, restricted to the prairie-region of South-western Texas near the Rio Grande, 

 and undoubtedly also extending across the border into Mexico. What might well be 

 termed a third form, if not a distinct species, is to be met with in the sand-hills of 

 Nebraska, in the Dakotas, Montana, and on the plains of the Saskatchewan west of 

 Manitoba. The habits of A. hirtipes and the more northern form are similar, both 

 being found on rolling ground where vegetation is rather scant. The third, which we 

 will provisionally call A. uniformis, seems to prefer various species of Artemisia and 

 allied genera of plants as food. In flight these insects are rather slow, but their green 

 colour, combined with the dusky banded hind wings, renders them quite conspicuous 

 creatures when on the wing. 



These forms may be readily distinguished by the following subjoined brief synoptical 

 table : — 



Table for separating the Species of Acrolophitus. 



A 1 . Insect decidedly variegated with light and dark streaks and blotches. 

 The pronotum acute-angled behind in both sexes. The legs not pro- 

 fusely hirsute 2. variegatus, sp. n. 



A 2 . Insect only slightly or not at all variegated with light and dark streaks. 

 The pronotum in female right-angled behind, that of the male some- 

 what acute. Legs profusely hirsute. 

 b 1 . Tegmina showing traces of darker blotches, frequently quite decided. 



The hind femora faintly banded with narrow, oblique, yellow streaks. 1. hirtipes, Say. 

 b 1 . Tegmina unicolorous, or if showing traces of light blotches, this is 



due to the lighter colour of the veinlets. Hind femora unicolorous. 3. uniformis, sp. n. ? 



1. Acrolophitus hirtipes, Say. 



Gryllus hirtipes, Say, Amer. Ent. iii. t. 34 (1828) 1 ; Ent. N. Amer. ed. Lee. i. p. 78, t. 34 (1859) *. 

 Acrolophitus hirtipes, Thomas, Ann. Rep. U.S. Geol. Surv. Terr. ii. pp. 266, 278 (1871) ' ; Glover, 

 Illustr. N. Amer. Ent., Orthopt. t. 9. fig. 7 (1872) 4 ; Scudd. Psyche, v. pp. 435, 436 (1890) \ 

 Acrolophita hirtipes, Uhler, Bull. U.S. Geol. Surv. Terr. ii ; . p. 794 (1877) 6 . 



