IX. THE GENUS DICYSTA CHAMPION (HEMIPTERA).i 

 By Carl J. Drake. 



(One text-figure.) 



The genus Dicysfa was founded by Champion (Biologia Centrali- 

 Americana, Hemipt.-Heteropt., Vol. II, 1897, p. 5, PI. i, figs. 4, 4a) 

 upon a single specimen from Panama. As stated in the original de- 

 scription, the genus greatly resembles the more exaggerated forms of 

 Leptostyla, except that the foliaceous median carina is developed 

 behind into a large bladder-like structure. The latter inflated process 

 appears very much like the hood in size and shape, and thus distin- 

 guishes Dicysta from Leptostyla, Corythucha, Stcphanitis, and other 

 closely related genera. The lateral carinae are wanting. 



The three species described herewith slightly modify the generic 

 description. The hood is somewhat variable in shape and entirely 

 covers the head. In D. vitrea Champion, D. hollandi n. sp., and D. 

 braziliensis n. sp. the hood is connected posteriorly a little below its 

 crest by the foliaceous median carina and the anterior portion of the 

 median carina is areolate between the hood and its inflated posterior 

 process. In D. smithi n. sp. the hood is connected posteriorly near 

 its base by the median carina, and, on the other hand, the median 

 carina is neither strongly raised nor areolate between its inflated 

 posterior process and the hood. The paranota are more or less re- 

 flexed; the width and shape varies according to the species. The 

 metasternal orifice is distinct, except in D. vitrea, where it is more or 

 less distinct. The length of the rostrum and wings is somewhat vari- 

 able. The elytra are twice as long as the abdomen, but the shape is 

 quite variable. The head usually bears three frontal spines, one on 

 each side of the median line, and a median spine placed a little above 

 the lateral spines. The species are all neotropical and nothing is 

 known concerning their food-plants and habits. 



1 Contribution No. 35 from the Department of Entomology. New York 

 State College of Forestry, Syracuse, New York. 



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