278 \A . D. FUNKHOUSER 



190S Cyrlolobus (Atymna) cnstaneae Van Duzee, Stud. N. A. Memb., p. 93. 

 1909 Smith, Ins. N. J., p. 92, 93. 



1913 Funkh., Horn. Wing Veins, fig. 44. 



1915 Funkh., Fitch's Types, p. 49. 



1915 Metcalf, Horn. No. Car., p. 8. 



1916 Van Duzee, Check List Hem., p. 61, no. 1690. 



A characteristic species on chestnut, abundant wherever this tree is 

 common. The nymphs appear in large numbers about the second week 

 in June and the adults about a month later. Both feed on petioles and 

 blades of young leaves. There is apparently but one brood a year. The 

 season for collecting this species is short, since the insects are abundant 

 for only about two weeks and then disappear. The insects of Atymna 

 castaneae have the best power of flight of any of the local membracids, 

 and this is about the only species ever taken about electric lights. 



The forms vary remarkably in size and coloration. This peculiar 

 variation does not seem to be sexual or seasonal and its cause is not known. 

 Three forms are quite distinct — one large light immaculate green, another 

 large very dark brown, and a third small light castaneous with very dark 

 brown elytra. Some differences have been noted between the nymphs 

 that develop into these various forms, but not enough to warrant a taxo- 

 nomic distinction. 



A peculiar feature in the life history of this membracid i^ the fact that 

 altho the insects are very abundant during the first two weeks in July 

 they are seldom found after that date locally. This period seems to be 

 an incredibly short one for the adult life of the insect, and yet it has not 

 been taken on any other host later in the season. 



The species is abundant on the chestnut trees just east of the insectary 

 along the Forest Home road, and in certain parts of the valley of »Six Mile 

 Creek. - 



Technical description. — Extremely variable as to both size and color; of the rather con- 

 stant varieties the one that is most abundant may be described as follows: 



Castaneous with dark brown patch over each humeral angle and dorsal margin Uned 

 with brown; crest highest above humeral angles, sloping gradually to apex of posterior process; 

 posterior process short, not reaching apic^es of tegmina; tegmina deep castaneous, brown 

 at base and tip. 



Head somewhat protruding, convex, sculptured, sparingly punctate, not pubescent, yellow 

 marked with brown; base nearly straight; eyes prominent, gray-brown; ocelli not prominent, 

 white, about equidistant from each other and from the eyes; clypeus long, narrow, extending 

 for half its length below inferior margin of face. 



Pronotum castaneous marked with brown over humeral angles, dorsal margin tinged with 

 brown; entire pronotum coarsely punctured, not pubescent; humeral angles not prominent, 

 rounded; dorsal crest highest above humeral angles, gradually sloping backward, dorsal 



