418 W. D. FUNKHOUSER 



The asilids commonly carry off both njanphs and adults. This has 

 been noted particularly in the cases of 'Atymna castaneae, Carynota mera, 

 Thelia bimaculata, Vanduzea arquata, and Telamona unicolor. In only 

 one case, however, was it possible to capture the asilid, in which instance 

 it proved to be Erax hastardii Macq. There is no question that several 

 species of this fly prey on Membracidae. 



Spiders often capture membracids both m their webs and on twigs. 

 An undetermined species of spider has been observed to seize adult speci- 

 mens of Vanduzea arquata on the limb of a tree and spin a web around 

 the body until the insect was inclosed in a cocoon-like mass, after which 

 it was carried away; in these instances the membracids did not appear to 

 have been bitten by the spider, at least not to such an extent as to cause 

 paralysis, for the legs could be seen moving and the body struggling 

 after incasement in the web — the hard pronotum probably serving 

 here again as an excellent protection. Many cases are recorded in the 

 field notes of spiders carrying away membracids, of membracids caught 

 m the webs, and of their empty skeletons found m the spiders' retreats. 

 Most of the common species of Membracidae are so listed but opportunity 

 has not offered for the determination of the spiders concerned. Professor 

 R. W. Harned, of Mississippi Agricultural College, has sent the writer 

 a spider which he captured at Lake View, Mississippi, eating a specimen 

 of Vanduzea arquata; this has been determined by Miss Anna Stryke 

 as Marxia {Pledana) stellata var. nobilis. 



One instance has been noted of a mantis (Paratenodera sinensis Sauss.) 

 feeding on a nymph of Vanduzea arquata, and two cases of the same 

 insect capturing adults of Atymna castaneae. 



Assassin bugs {Reduvius sp.) have often been ol;)sei-ved in the vicinity 

 of colonies of Membracidae, but no actual instances have been recorded 

 of their attacking such colonies. 



PROTECTION 



Considering the small number of their enemies, the Membracidae are 

 remarkably well protected and their methods of protection are unusually 

 varied. 



The shapes and colors of both nymphs and adults of most species tend 

 toward very effective concealment. Browns, greens, and grays in neutral 

 tones predominate in the color scheme of the family, and these tones 



