260 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 115 



Subfamily Neocoelidiinae 



Description. — Small to large leafhoppers (3-13 mm.). Clypellus 

 either approximately parallel-sided or widened distally. Lateral 

 frontal sutures extended near or to ocelli, which are on or near anterior 

 margin of crown or less often on face. Ocellocular areas developed as 

 distinct ledges above antennal pits. Antennae long to very long, fre- 

 quently exceeding entire length of body including fore wings at rest. 

 Face and crown either separated by carina or with carina lacking; 

 carina, when present, usually limited to distance between ocelli. Head 

 in dorsal view angled or rounded apically, often strongly produced 

 beyond eyes. Pronotum short, much wider than long, with lateral 

 margins carinated. Scutellum large and well developed. Venation 

 of forewings usually obscure except apically and with either two or 

 three preapical cells. Male genital structures variously modified but 

 styles usually simple. Ground color various shades of white, yellow, 

 or orange. There are often contrasting markings of various hues on 

 the head, thorax, and forewings. 



Diagnosis. — The most useful set of characters for recognition of the 

 Neocoelidiinae consists of the distinct ledge above each antennal base, 

 the exceptionally long antennae (particularly as found in many of the 

 Neotropical genera), and the venation of the forewings, which is 

 usually highly obscure except apically. 



Discussion. — As far as it is known, the subfamily is restricted to 

 the Americas, with good representation in both the temperate and 

 tropical areas. The available host and food plant records seem to 

 indicate that most of the species occur on trees or shrubs. According 

 to DeLong (1953), various Nearctic species have been taken on the fol- 

 lowing genera of plants: Pinus, Acacia, Rhus, Arctostaphylos, and 

 Sphaeralcea. Except for one species of Chinaia known to breed on 

 avocado, the plant relationships of the Neotropical species are 

 unknown. 



The key to genera which follows is based almost entu-ely upon char- 

 acters of the male genitalia. Although most of these structures are 

 concealed within the genital capsule and require dissection and clear- 

 ing in order to be observed, they provide the most concrete evidence 

 for an arrangement of genera within the subfamily. Emphasis on the 

 male genitalia for the delimiting of genera is not without precedent. 

 Oman (1949) used this feature extensively in arranging the North 

 American Deltocephalinae, as did Young (1952) in revising the New 

 World Typhlocybinae. Both men provided generic definitions within 

 the respective subfamilies that were more definite and better delimited 

 than any prior to their work. It is hoped that this study will serve 

 a similar purpose. 



