Biology of the Membra cidae of the Cayuga Lake Bawin 259 



1909 Telaynona ampelopsidis Smith, Ins. N. J., p. 92. 



1910 Matausch, Journ. N. Y. Ent. Soc. 18:169. 



1913 Funkli., Horn. Wing Vein?, p. 82, figs. 4, 11, 19, 38. 



1915 Metcalf. Horn. Xo. Car., p. 7. 



1916 Van Duzee, Check List Hem., p. 60, no. 16-16. 



A large, robust, well-marked species. \evy abundant in all parts of 

 the basin on Mrginia creeper (Psedera quinquefolia L., formerly placed in 

 the genus Ampelopsis, from which the specific name of the insect was 

 derived). This is the commonest species of Telamona in the region. 

 Since it has never been taken on any other host and no other species of 

 the genus inhabits Virginia creeper, this species may be fairly surely 

 identified by its habitat. The markings are distinct and characteristic. 

 The males are in some cases solid black in color — a feature formerly 

 thought to mark the older specimens, but this has been found not to be 

 the case — and are much smaller than the females. 



Large numbers of these insects have been taken on the hills west of the 

 lake between Trumansburg and Interlaken, and around the buildings 

 of the farms of this region. They are also plentiful on the vines covering 

 the boathouses at the foot of Cascadilla Creek. 



The eggs are laid in the axils of the leaves and are deeply embedded in 

 the stems. Two or three egg deposits are made by one female at one time, 

 each oviposition requiring about twenty minutes with a rest of about ten 

 minutes between. The eggs winter over and hatch early in June. About 

 five weeks is required for the n\miphs to reach maturity. Mating begins 

 about the middle of July and oviposition almost immediately afterward. 

 The entire life history has been followed on the one host, and apparently 

 the nymphs need no other food. 



Technical description. — Fine, large, well-marked species; crest high, erect, front margin 

 nearly perpendicular, hind margin sloping; grouiid color grayish with brown transverse 

 fascia across metopidium, deep brown area at frontal base, brown fascia extending from 

 posterior tip of crest to lateral margin of pronotum; tegmina hyaline, with brown tips. 



Head yellowish faintly marked with brown below, sculptured, finely pimctate, sparingly 

 pubescent; eyes prominent, grayish brown; ocelli large, yellowish, nearer to each other than 

 to the eyes; clypeus smooth, pubescent, tip triangular. 



Pronotum finely punctate, very sparingly pubescent; nietopidium yellow at frontal margin, 

 black spot above each eye, median carina prominent, black; humeral angles prominent, 

 blunt, extending beyond the eyes as far as the length of the eyes; dorsal crest higher before 

 than behind, margin somewhat flattened; posterior process long, strong, heavy, extending 

 almost to tips of tegmina. 



Tegmina hyaline, Ughtly punctate at base and along costal margins, tips brown. Under- 

 surface of bodj' generally uniform gray-brown. 



INlale smaller and darker than female, often without characteristic markings. 



Length, female 10 mm., male 8-9 mm.; width, female 6 mm., male 5 mm. 



