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THE HUNTING-SPIDER OF THE VINE. 



By T. D. a. Cockerell, 



Entomologist of the New Mexico (U.S.A.) Agricultural Experiment Station. 



On April 30th, when investigating the insects of the grape- 

 vine at Las Graces, New Mexico, I found a beautiful little Atticl 

 spider in some numbers. The vine-insects hitherto observed in 

 tliis vicinity exceed a dozen, of which one in particular, the leaf- 

 hopper {TypJdocifha), is decidedly troul)Iesome. Certain beetles 

 were found, which live upon the vines, and undoubtedly destroy 

 some of the injurious species; of these a Coccinellid, Hippodamia 

 convergens, Guer., and a Malachiid, Collnps vittatiis, Say, were 

 observed by me to be particularly numerous. 



The spider was not actually observed to prey upon the leaf- 

 hoppers, but that it does so cannot be well doubted. I brought 

 away several specimens, and on comparing them with the pub- 

 lished descriptions was quite surprised to find that they would 

 fit none, and the genus even was rather uncertain. I wrote out 

 a description, but fearing that I had overlooked some species 

 already published, I forwarded my types to Mr. George W. 

 Peckham for his opinion. The reply soon came that the creature 

 represented not only a new species, but a new genus! Mr. 

 Peckham wrote : — " It is certainly a new species, bearing a 

 general relation to Icius {Dcndryphantes) elcgans, but quite 

 distinct. I have a still closer relation from Kansas, but the 

 latter is larger, with different colours. I know of no genus into 

 which it will properly fit, and suggest that you make a new 

 genus to take in your species and the one from Kansas. This 

 genus would be related to Icius, and also to .Eris." 



At the present time, at all events, I do not care to act on Mr. 

 Peekham's kind suggestion as to the new genus, and will describe 

 the spider under the name I first gave it in MS., Bcndrypliantcs 

 vitis. I have found some difficulty in understanding the existing 

 genera of Attida;, and it would seem a case of the blind trying to 

 lead the blind were I to propose a new one. But Mr. Peckham, 

 oil the other hand, is a master of the subject, and should he find 

 time and opportunity himself to describe the new genus, science 

 will gain thereby. 



Deiidryphantcs ritis, n. sp. 



Total length, 3|- mm. Length of first pair of legs, 3|- mm. ; 

 of second, 2 ; of third, 2 or slightly less ; of fourth, 2^. Leg- 

 formula, 1423. Cephalothorax, breadth, 1:^ mm. ; length. If mm. 

 Abdomen, breadth, 1 mm. ; length, 2 mm. Patella and tibia of 

 first leg. If mm. Cephalothorax flat, squared in front. Cephalic 

 part shorter than thoracic, but not much shorter. Dorsum of 

 cephalic part brilliant, with rosy scales ; of thoracic part dark, 



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