32 U.S. NATIONAL MUSEUM BULLETIN 261 



in strong relief. Separation of these species has some morphological 

 foundation (the median length of the crown of the head also exceeds 

 the transocular width), but other characters are those of typical 

 Diestostemma. Chiapasa Schmidt is based on a series of nymphs (quite 

 possibly specifically misdetermined) with their knifelike (deciduous) 

 process from the apex of the head. Signoret (1855c, pi. 21, fig. 18) 

 provided evidence that this character properly belongs to Diestostemma. 



The abdominal sternum VII of the holotype oi Diestostemma steinbachi 

 Schmidt, of which only the type has been seen, is like the illustration 

 of the same structure in D. schmidti Melichar. 



A male specimen (ZIMH) bearing labels: "Kotypus" and "Mexico/ 

 Hrm, & Hans Kulow Ig./ded. 6 VII. 1 900/Socunusco ; (Chiapas)/ 

 1120 m. iiber Meer" is here designated lectotype of Diestostemma 

 multipunctatum Melichar. 



No specimens of Diestostemma brunneum Melichar or D. cuspidatum 

 (Signoret) have been seen by the writer. Of D. nervosum (Signoret), 

 only two specimens so determined were seen, in Stockholm, but there 

 was no indication that Signoret had ever seen them nor any assurance 

 that they were accurately identified. D. nigropunctatum (Signoret) is 

 known only from the female lectotype. 



The lectotype female of Diestostemma niveum Melichar has lateral lobes 

 on the posterior margin of abdominal sternum VII more fully developed 

 than the specimen illustrated in figure 8. 



The interpretation of D. ptolyca Distant rests on a male specimen 

 compared externally with the teneral lectotype, by the writer. 



Diestostemma rubriventris (Schmidt) is known only from the female 

 lectotype, of which the abdominal sternum VII is badly damaged, and 

 is not illustrated. 



My interpretation of Diestostemma limbatipenne Schmidt is based on a 

 topotypic male compared with the female lectot)^pe, which I dissected. 

 D. biolleyi Distant, as here interpreted, is based on a male compared 

 externally with the lectot^^e male. 



SPECIES OF DIESTOSTEMMA 

 [t Only females studied. § No specimens studied.] 



albipenne (Fabricius), I803a:62 (Cicada). Trinidad Is., Br. Guiana, D. Guiana, 



Brazil. 

 ]atropunctulatum (Melichar), 1924e:211 {Leucopepla) . Fr. Guiana, Brazil. New 

 combination. 

 biolleyi Distant, 1908b:81. Mexico, Costa Rica. 



ruforeticulatum Schmidt, 1910a:47. New synonymy. 

 bituberculatum (Signoret), 1855c:528 (Tettigonia). Br. Guiana, Fr. Guiana, 



Brazil. 

 blantom, new species. Panama, Br. Honduras, Ecuador, Peru. 



