197 



NOTES ON GRASS INSECTS IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 



My IIkubkkt Oshoun, Ames, Iowa. 



While in Washington in Angnst, 189(), I had the opportunity of ex- 

 amining, by Prof. Kiley's kind invitation, the hiwn at lii.s residence on 

 Washington Heights, where various grass pests had been at work to such 

 an extent as to cause a decided damage to the hiwn. The following 

 species were noted : 



Aidaeize.s irrorata Fab. — One larva not quite grown, and which may 

 have been feeding on some other plant than the grass. 



Biedrocephala moUipes Say. — But few specimens of this usually com- 

 mon species were taken, and the majority had probably migrated to 

 situations furnishing fresher vegetation. 



Deltocephalus hiimicus Say. — Quite plenty, but not so abundant as 

 Cicndula I-lineata, as shown by the results of sweeping. 



Deltocephalm nayi Fitch. — Not common, and apparently occupying 

 about the same position as regards numbers as in Iowa. 



Deltocephalus retrorsm XJhl. — Two specimens only were secured, which 

 would indicate about the same rarity as in Iowa. 



Allygus {Phlepsius irroratm) Say. — But one specimen of this species, 

 which is often common, was taken in the sweepings. 



Athysanus exitiosa Uhl. — Not very abundant. 



Athysanusi sp. — Two specimens of a small green species similar to or 

 identical with a common species in Iowa. 



Gicadula quadrilineata Forbes. — This species occurred in immense 

 numbers, being the most abundant of all species taken in the sweep net. 

 Prof. Forbes described this as a pest in oat fields, but it is evident from 

 its nimibers in grass that it can be a very serious pest in meadows and 

 lawns as well. It may be mentioned that there was a small patch of 

 oats not far from the lawn swept, but this species was swarming also to 

 lights in the city during the evenings, which would indicate some very 

 connnon food-plant near, and I think there can be no question that it 

 breeds extensively in grass. Adults and larvae of various sizes were 

 taken. 



Cicadula mgrifrom Forbes. — This species, also described by Prof. 

 Forbes and from specimens associated with the preceding spe<ies, was 

 taken in considerable numbers, but was by no means so abundant as 

 C. 4-lineaia. It seems very closely allied to the sjiecies described by 

 twitch as Jassufi 4-punctatus and (l-punctatus, and these last two as rejv 

 resented by series of specimens in the Division Collection are separated 

 with difficulty. C. nlgrifrons has the front much darker, but in other 

 respects I find no constant difference. The spots on the front vei'tex 

 are somewhat variable in size and distinctness, but seem to agree in 

 position and number on all three species. 



