APHIDIIXE. 



307 



Fig. 285. Chaitophorus aceris 

 (special peculiar form). (From 

 Buckton's ' Monograph of 

 British Aphides.' Ray 

 Society.) 



no metamorphoses. In addition to these characteristics, the creature 



develops a strange morphological structure, inasmuch as peculiar 



flabellae are attached to its dorsal surface. 



In short, it is a peculiar form of neuter 



gender, and contemporary with ten or 



twenty parthenogenetic generations (fig. 



285). 



I have found it common in Northumber- 

 land, on the under side of the leaves of the 

 purple varieties of sycamore, and also on 

 Acer colcliicum rubvum. As the green colour 

 of this creature contrasts with the species of 

 those plants referred to, it may be fairly 

 easily recognised, though it must be remem- 

 bered they are only mere pin-points in actual 

 size, and often difficult to find. 



Mr Theobald informs me that it is common in Cambridge, Devon, 

 and Kent. 



Genus Callipterus. 



This genus is rather important in forest entomology, inasmuch as 

 the species are all arboreal in their habits. Hence it may be well to 

 state the generic characters as given by Buckton viz. : 



" Rostrum stout, short, does not reach to the second coxae. 



"Antennae very long, often tipped with black; third joint much 

 the longest. Seventh joint variable in length, but rarely less than 

 the sixth. 



" Head large, vertex fiat, frontal tubercles none. 



" Cornicles very short. 



"Legs moderately long; longest in the males. 



" Wings generally ample, iridescent, usually clouded with pigment 

 at the extremities of the veins. Stigmata long. Stigmatic cells 

 trapezoidal. 



" Abdomen : in some species the apterous females are hirsute. The 

 last abdominal ring is provided with two anal valves or papillae." 



In habits of life, however, they are quite distinct from other genera 

 belonging the tribe, as those hitherto considered are all gregarious, 

 while the Calliptera, especially in the winged stages, are more or less 

 solitary. When they approach anything like gregarious habits, it 



