130 Psyche [June 



CIGADELLA GOTHICA SIGN.— A COEEECTION. 



By Geo. W. Barber., 

 U. S. Bureau of Entomology, Arlington, Mass. 



In Vol. XXVII, page 1 17, 1920, of this journal, I have recorded 

 the occurrence of GicadeUa hieroglyphica (Say) from Massachu- 

 setts.. The record was an error and was based on a determination 

 submitted to me which, at the time, I had no reason for questioning. 

 The insects recorded under this name are all GicadeUa gothica Sign., 

 as are all of a large number of specimens from New England at 

 hand. 



The confusing of these two species, which has so often happened, 

 is further made possible by the discovery of a dark variety of gothica 

 which resembles GicadeUa hieroglyrihica, var. dolobrata Ball very 

 closely indeed. This variety seems to be undescribed, and as to 

 its future collection may again lead to a confusion of these species, 

 it may be well to characterize it at this time. 



GicadeUa gothica, var. atra var nov. 



General structure and size of gothica: Shining black, markings 

 on anterior half of vertex nearly as in gothica, except that the 

 yellow area surrounding the black apex is narrowly produced pos- 

 teriorly for a third the length of the vertex. The black markings 

 on the posterior half of the vertex confused, so that this portion 

 appears solidly black with some light points indicating the yello;v 

 markings of gothica; eyes irregularly margined with yellow; mar- 

 gins of clavus light. Beneath, black; tips of femora, tibiae arwi 

 tarsse lighter; front, dark brown, median stripe tawny. 



One male taken at Lexington, Mass., September 8, 1920. 



This variety is distinct from any dark forms of the typical insect 

 that I have seen, although dark individuals are not uncommon. 



