ANNALS ^°"'^" 



OF ( "^ 



The Entomological Society of America 



Volume XI SEPTEMBER. 19 18 Number 3 



THE THORACIC SCLERITES OF HEMIPTERA 



AND HETEROPTERA.* 



With Notes on the Relationships Indicated. 



By Leland H. Taylor. 

 INTRODUCTION. 



This paper is intended primarily as a contribution to the 

 morphology of the thoracic sclerites of "Hemiptera" (sensu 

 lato). Incidentally it may offer some suggestions as to the 

 relationships of the families of the order, but these can be only 

 suggestions, since the morphology of the thorax alone can 

 contribute but a share toward the determination of phylogenv 

 or relationships. 



But little has been written on the morphology of the Hem- 

 ipterous thorax. A number of articles were found deahng with 

 a certain family, genus, or species, but in most instances the 

 thorax was not studied in detail and generally no attempt was 

 made to harmonize the results with the present day conception 

 of the thorax, or to use a terminology appHcable to all insects 

 _ Thanks are due Doctor G. C. Crampton for his assistance in 

 interpreting the homologies of the sclerites and for the loan of 

 valuable material to work with. His papers (Crampton 1908-09 

 1914A, 1914B, 1914C) have been indispensable in the' prepara- 

 tion of this paper, and the nomenclature employed by him has 

 been generally adopted here. The writer would also express his 

 thanks to Doctor H. T. Fernald for his interest and helpful 

 criticism. 



* Contribulion from the Entomological Laboratory of the Massachusetts 



225 



