MORGAN HEBARD 355 



SYMPLOCE2« new genus 

 (Plate XVII, figs. 8 and 9; pi. XVIII, fig. 4.) 



This genus is closely related to Ischnoptera, differing in the 

 weak but evident mesal production of the caudal margin of the 

 pronotum,27 even convexity of the same without discal sulci, 

 longitudinal discoidal sectors of the tegmina,^^ strikingly bifur- 

 cate discoidal vein of both tegmina and wings, spines of cephalic 

 femora of heavy type throughout and differently specialized 

 distal dorsal abdominal segments in males.-^ The majority of 

 the species also have the median segment specialized in the males, 

 a feature not found in Ischnoptera. 



Six American species are found in the material before us, those 

 previously described being referred without exception in recent 

 literature to the genus Ischnoptera. 



Genotype. — Symploce capitata {Ischnoptera capitata) (Saus- 

 sure) . 



Generic Description. — Pronotum much as in Ischnoptera, except 

 that the disk is smooth and evenly convex without sulci, and the 

 caudal margin is weakly obtuse-angulate produced with broadly 

 rounded apex mesad. Tegmina and wings fully developed.^o 

 Tegmina with discoidal sectors (these including branch of dis- 

 coidal vein, median and ulnar veins and their branches; the ulnar 

 vein normally showing more branches than the median vein) 

 longitudinal. Wings with area between discoidal vein and costal 



26 From avfXTrXoK^ = woven together, in allusion to the position of the 

 present genus when compared with Ischnoptera and other genera of the Ischnop- 

 terites. 



2^ This feature is also shared by numerous African and Asiatic forms, which 

 should properly be assigned to a closely related genus or genera, but all of 

 which are referred at present to Ischnoptera. A somewhat Epilamprine facies 

 results, which led Saussure to describe one of the exotic forms as Epilampra 

 blattoides. This distinctive species has been confused in past literature with 

 species of Symploce, similar alone in general appearance, and has been incor- 

 rectly synonymized by Kirby under /. rufescens ( = /. rufa rufa), a species well 

 separated in every way. 



28 This is naturally not apparent in the female of S. lita, owing to the great 

 tegminal reduction there found. 



29 The striking and pecuUar speciahzation of the sixth and seventh dorsal 

 abdominal segments, characteristic of the males of all the species of true 

 Ischnoptera, is not found in any of the species of the present genus. 



^° Except in the female of S. lita. 



TBANS. AM. ENT. SOC, XLII. 



