a8 HOMOPTERA 



no sternum occurs in this segment. The ninth abdominal segment consists only of the tergum, but this 

 sclerite is much enlarged and makes up the larger part of the posterior end of the body. This segment 

 is not represented by a pleuron in any species dissected and no spiracle is present to suggest such a 

 structure. The sclerite bends around to form most of the body wall. The free ventral edges do not 

 meet, but the space between them is occupied by the styles of the ovipositor. This segment is most 

 inclined to show pubescence and well developed hairs, and is the most conspicuous part of the female 

 abdomen. The tenth and eleventh segments are more or less vestigial and are usually hidden under 

 the posterior projection of the ninth. 



The ovipositor consists of three pairs of styles. The outer pair is the longest and incloses the 

 middle pair, which in turn surrounds the inner. The outer styles are roughly forceps-shaped, narrowed 

 at the base, wide and flat at the center, and hoUowed out on the inner surface to form a spoon, or 

 paddle, the excavated part containing the middle styles. The edges are smooth and the tips pointed. 

 The outer styles project below and beyond the ninth abdominal segment and are plainly visible from an 

 external view of the insect. They are often densely pubescent, but seldom punctate. They are 

 tightly closed except during oviposition and mating, and form a smooth, rounded, ventral surface for 

 the apical end of the abdomen. The middle styles are slightly smaller, narrower, and shorter than the 

 outer styles, and fit snugly into these. The base of the middle pair is flattened and expanded to form 

 an articulatory joint. The shafts of the styles are doubly curved, the edges are smooth, and the 

 extremities are very sharp. Like the outer styles, the middle pair are close together when not in use. 

 The inner styles are again forceps-shaped, the shafts being narrow and about equal in width through- 

 out their length. The lateral and ventral margins of these styles are smooth, but the dorsal edge is 

 thrown up into teeth, or nodules, of which there are from two to five on each style. Since the inner 

 styles are located deeply within the other two pairs, they are not visible except on dissection. 



The abdominal structures of the female show few characters suitable for taxonomic work. Aside 

 from the shape of the last sternum, which has already been discussed, no parts of the abdomen of this 

 sex have been used by systematic workers in the family for purposes of classification. 



The Male : The abdomen of the male differs from that of the female chiefly in the structure 

 of the apical areas. As a whole the abdomen of the male is flatter, shorter, less robust, generally darker 

 in color, and more inclined to pubescence, and the segments aremore closely telescoped. The extrem- 

 ity is more regularly and narrowly pointed. The tenth and eleventh terga are usually quite distinct 

 and often project some distance beyond the ninth. The ninth segment is modified, but in a different 

 way from that seen in the female. In the female this segment shows no pleuron or sternum, but the 

 greatly enlarged tergum folds around the entire abdomen; in the male all the parts of the segment are 

 present, the pleura projecting as separate sclerites on each side or joined below, and the sternum produced 

 and curved upward at the extremity. The first segment is modified as in the female, but the median 

 segments are normal. 



No modifications of the abdomen for the production of sound, such as the timbal and mirror of 

 the cicada, are present. So far as is known, no species of membracid has any sort of sound-producing 

 apparatus and the only noise made in the field is the sharp whir of the wings in flight. 



The Membracidae are not characterized by the noxious odors common to many forms of Hemi- 

 ptera. The spiracles were confused with supposed stink glands by Buckton (igoS), but no signs of the 

 latter structures are shown in histological preparations. 



The male genitalia, while comparatively simple in structure, are extremely interesting and are 

 well deserving of more serious study than has been given to them. Occasional attempts have been 



