Vol. XXIIl, pp 41-46 April 19, 1910 



PROCEEDINGS 



OF THE 



BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON 



NEW GENERA AND SPECIES OF ISSIDAE 

 (FULGORIDAE). 



BY E. D. BALL. 



While collecting on a dry rocky slope in southwestern Utah 

 several years ago, the writer beat from the scanty vegetation of 

 this desert region three or four specimens of a very curious leaf 

 hopper, evidently an Issid, I)Ut apparently representing an 

 undescribed genus. The few specimens taken were apparently 

 stray captures and no more were found in this region although 

 diligent search was made on nearly every plant represented in 

 the original locality. 



The past season the writer came upon this insect again in two 

 different regions in California. The first capture was on the 

 Mojave desert and a little later the same insect was found near 

 the Salton Sea. Both of these places are extreme desert regions 

 and very similar in vegetation to the Utah region where it was 

 first found. The insect, therefore, appears to be closely confined 

 to the extremely hot, dry desert areas of the Southwest. It is 

 much smaller and paler than its nearest relatives, no doubt an 

 adaptation to the sparse, pale vegetation of its normal habitat. 

 The genus is named in honor of Prof. Herbert Osborn, who has 

 done so much to further our knowledge of the American leaf 

 hoppers. The types of this and all other species here described 

 are in the author's collection. 



Osbornia gen. nov. 



Somewhat resembling Danepteryx but with elytra oval and abbreviated, 

 and the margin of vertex and front produced into a pair of acute horn- 

 hke angles above the eyes. 



Vertex transversely concave, inclined, wider than long, anterior margin 

 elevated, meeting the front in an acute angle which is accentuated at the 

 lateral carinae, forming two acutely triangular "horns" nearly as high 



»— Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., Vol. XXHI, 1910. (41) 



