FAM. MEMBRACID^ i33 



104. genus stictocephala stal 



Stlctocephala Stal, Hem. Fabr. II : 24 (1869). 



Characters : In devising a dichotomous key for the identification of the genera of the tribe 

 Ceresini, we naturally chose those characters which were most obvious and most easily noted, among 

 which of course were the suprahumeral horns. As a resuU, however, the genus Stictocephala is thrown 

 out of its natural position in the tribe, at least in so far as relationship and probable phylogeny is con- 

 cerned, for certainly this genus is more nearly related to Ceresa than to any other genus in the family. 

 Goding (1926) constructed a key for the tribe in which these two genera were thrown together, as they 

 should be, but in other respects his table is not entirely satisfactory, and of course he is forced, also, as 

 a final distinction, to base the separalion of these tvvo genera on the supposed presence or absence of 

 suprahumerals. Stal (1869^) separated Stictocephala from Ceresa, to be sure, on the basis of the absence 

 of suprahumerals, but this distinction is very artificial and unsatisfactory. In fact, we doubt if there 

 are any good constant characters on which these two genera may be absolutely distinguished. The 

 characters of the pronotum. other than the lateral angles of the metopidium, are the same ; the shape 

 and structure of the posterior process is identical ; there is no difference in venation ; and studies which 

 we have made on the genitalia of the male and the abdominal segments of the female would indicate 

 that there is no more variation in these structures in the two genera than there is between diiferent spe- 

 cies in either of the genera. The suprahumeral angles of the metopidium vary in both genera, some 

 species o{ Stictocephala showing a distinct suggestion of a cornute protuberance and some species of 

 Ceresa having the horns reduced to mere angular projections. Since, however, the genus has long been 

 established on the basis of this character, we are here recognizing it on that basis. 



The more typical species oi Stictocephala are characterized by the elevated pronotum, highest in 

 front and not deeply impressed on the sides, the angular lateral margins of the metopidium, the long, 

 slender, simple posterior process, and the entirely exposed tegmina with five apical and three discoidal 

 cells. Head triangular, base arcuate and sinuate; eyes narrow ; ocelli prominent, equidistant from each 

 other and from the eyes and situated somewhat below a Hne drawn through centers of eyes; inferior 

 margins of genae variable but usually rounded ; clypeus variable but generally projecting somewhat below 

 the inferior margins of genae. Pronotum elevated highest in front, more or less triangular as viewed 

 from above; metopidium high, lateral margins angulate; no distinct suprahumeral horns; humeral angles 

 blunt; posterior process long, slender, tectiform, simple, usually depressed and decurved and impinging 

 on margins of tegmina, extending beyond internal angles of tegmina but not reaching their tips. Teg- 

 mina free, usually hyaline, corium entirely exposed; five apical and three discoidal cells; apical limbus 

 broad. Legs simple, subcylindrical; hind tarsi longest. 



Type lutea Walker. 



Geographlcal distrlbutlon : The center of distribution of this genus would appear to be the 

 United States but species are found in Soutli and Central America, in Mexico and in Canada. Like 

 the genus Ceresa, it is quite cosmopoHtan and has a wide range. 



1. colliiia Van Duzee, Stud. N. A. Memb. 47. 8 (igoS). Western U. S. 



2. cornuta Fowler, B. C. .\. II : iio. 5 (iSgS). Panama. 



3. diminnta Van Duzee, Stud. N. A. Memb. 49. 11 (1908). Southern U. S. 



4. elevata Funkhouser, Journ. N. Y. Ent. Soc. XXVTI : 4, 271 (1919). Peru. 



5. elongata Fowler. B. C. A. II : iio. 4 (1895). Mexico. 



