896 W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



In feeding, the insects display no peculiarities and the process is a 

 leisurely one. The beak of the membracid is well fitted for piercing, being 

 strong and heavy and fitted with bristle-like mandibular and nraxillaiy 

 setae as described in the discussion of the external anatomy. Both 

 nymphs and adults have little difficulty in forcing the beak into the young 

 stems and the petioles of the leaves, the parts of the plants on which they 

 most commonly feed. It is doubtful whether in all cases the labrum or 

 the labium actually enters the tissue, since it seems possible for the insect 

 to make a sufficient puncture with the setae alone. A few species, notably 

 Entylia hadriana, Enchenopa binotata, and Atymna castaneae, have been 

 observed feeding on the blades of leaves, but this is unusual. Feeding 

 may be observed at almost any hour of the day, depending on the species 

 observed, but the most favored time appears to be the middle of the 

 afternoon. Very little energy is displayed in the feeding movements. 

 The insects remain in one spot for a long time, seeming to find an inex- 

 haustible supply of sap at each insertion of the mouth parts, and they 

 show little disposition to seek new feeding places. So deeply and firmly 

 is the beak sometimes buried in the tissue of the host, and so absorbed do 

 the insects appear to be while obtaining food, that often the mouth parts 

 are broken off in collecting and are left in the stem or leaf when the specimen 

 is captured. 



The process of feeding is in some species accompanied by the close 

 attendance of ants. It is presumed that the presence of the ants is to be 

 explained by their well-known habits of seeking the honeydew secreted 

 by the membracids. A large number of observations, however, have 

 suggested that there may possibly be another reason for the presence of 

 the ants at this time. In many instances the ants have been found grouped 

 about the head of the membracid, as tho sharing the sap drawn from 

 the stem. Whether or not the ant would be able to make use of such 

 sap is not known, but the phenomenon has been noticed so many times 

 that it seems unreasonable to believe it accidental. Be that as it may, 

 the membracids seem in no way disturbed by the attention of the ants, 

 and continue the feeding process without noticing their presence. 



A study of the locomotion of the Membracidae does not justify the use 

 of the term tree hopper as applied to the family. Of the three methods of 

 locomotion — flying, walking, and jumping — the last is certainly the least 

 used. The structure of the wings and of the legs has been discussed in 



