May, 1918] 



Parasites of Leaf -Hoppers 



257 



Aphelopus dikraneuri n. sp. 



Aphelopus dikraneuri n. sp. parastizes adults of Dikraneura 

 fieberi (Low), which is found to be quite extensively infested 

 with this parasite in the vicinity of Columbus in July and 

 September. The sac is found attached to the anterior region of 

 the abdomen either to the right of left side, the position of 

 attachment varying somewhat as the following table shows: 



Abdomen. 



The sac is opaque yellow in color, elongate oval, and 1 mm. 

 in length. Because of its small size, the first exuvium is usually 

 overlooked, but it is smooth and shining, while the other two 

 are dull and finely punctate. The second exuvium is often 

 brown in contrast to the other two. Under reflected light the 

 empty sac is irridescent. 



The mature larva is white, elongate, with numerous hairs. 

 The cocoon is spun just below the surface of the soil. It is 

 small, white and oval, generally being coated over with soil. 

 There are two generations a year. 



The above description and life history is true of all species 

 of Aphelopus parasitizing Dikraneura, Empoasca, or Erythro- 

 neura. It is particularly similar to that of Aphelopus come si 

 n. sp. parasitizing Erythroneura comes Say. This species was 

 found to be very abundant in one grape vineyard in Columbus 

 during the latter part of October, 1917. As high as 80% of the 

 grape leaf hoppers were parasitized. Adults of A. comesi issued 

 in May the following year. 



