404 W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



" In my experiments indoors, without the presence of ants, the forms seemed 

 unable to moult successfully and died before reaching maturity. This fact 

 leads me to believe that the ants are necessary factors in the life of an 

 individual membracid." Mrs. Rice (1893) reports that nymphs of the 

 same species reach maturity in two weeks from the date of hatching if 

 ants are present, and in one week if they are undisturbed by ants. 



Experiments made in the course of this study give no support to such 

 theories. Membracids of many species have been reared in the field and 

 in the insectary with and without ants, and no difference has been noted 

 in length of the instars or success of the molting process. The species 

 studied by the authors named above, Entylia sinuata, is not available 

 locally ; but a very closely related species, Entylia hadriana, has been reared 

 both in the field under nettmg and in the laboratory, in each case without 

 the presence of ants, with no noticeable effect on the process of molting. 



The feeding hal^its, likewise, of the Membracidae seem in no way 

 affected by the presence of ants, which often swarm over them in large 

 numbers while feeding is in progress. Both njTmphs and adults are 

 apparently oblivious of the presence of their hymenopterous companions, 

 and continue their usual activities with equal serenity whether ants are 

 present or absent. 



The liquid sought by the ants has been much discussed in connection 

 with the Aphididae and the Coccidae, and seems in no way different 

 in the Membracidae. It is colorless and transparent, rather heavy, and 

 somewhat sticky. When first exuded it is inclined to be frothy, due no 

 doubt to bubbles of air which emerge with it, but it quickly clears on 

 settling. It is practically tasteless even in comparatively large quantities, 

 and many attempts to distinguish a sweet taste have proved unsuccessful. 

 The term honey dew, therefore, commonly applied to the fluid, is hardly 

 a descriptive one. It is very likely, of course, that the liquid may contain 

 sugars not detected by the human tongue, and this would seem to be indi- 

 cated by the fact that fermentation appears to begin if the substance is 

 left exposed. No chemical analysis of honeydew has been made by the 



writer. 



COMMUNAL LIFE 



Some species of Membracidae are decidedly gregarious in habit, and 

 congregate not only as individuals of the same species but also with other 

 species. This depends largely, but not altogether, on the host plant. 



I 



