112 THE UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN. 



Characteristics of the Cicadidse. 



The Cicadidse are a very interesting family belonging to the 

 Homoptera-Auchenorhynchi, this group being distinguished 

 from the Homoptera-Sternorhynchi by having the beak arising 

 from the lower part of the head instead of apparently arising 

 from between the prothoracic legs, as in the latter group. 



To the Homoptera-Auchenorhynchi belong five families, of 

 which the Cicadidse are easily the largest insects. Aside, how- 

 ever, from their relatively larger size, there are very distinct 

 and characteristic structural differences between this family 

 and the others. Thus the members of the Cercopidse and Cica^ 

 dellidas usually have their fore wings distinctly thicker than the 

 hind wings, whereas in the Cicadidse both pairs of wings are 

 similar in texture. The antennae of some of the Fidgoridse 

 are very irregular and peculiar in form, while those of the Cica- 

 dids are always setiform. Rarely do the members of the other 

 families, the Aphidldse excepted, ever have three ocelli, this 

 being a distinct characteristic of the Cicadidse. The front 

 femora also of these insects are quite characteristic, being 

 thickened and toothed beneath. Finally the group is charac- 

 terized by having males which are musical, so that each species 

 has its peculiar song, a condition unknown in any other 

 Homoptera. 



