454 



NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



Described from two freshly bred specimens presenting marked 

 colorational differences from C. a b f i t c h i i . 



Culicada abfitchii Felt 



This is one of the large early spring forms found breeding in 

 considerable numbers in open grassy pools, the adults beginning 

 to appear about the time that Culicada subcantans 

 has ceased to emerge. Examples of this species are separated 

 with difficulty from the last named form and may be recognized 

 most readily by their slightly later appearance and by the some- 

 what definite, narrow, silvery, sublateral lines between the sub- 

 median and lateral brownish areas of the mesonotum. There is 

 also a difference in the male genitalia, there being no conspicuous 

 basal enlargement or stout chitinous spine at the base of the first 

 clasf segment in this species, whereas in C. subcantans 

 there is a rudimentary lobe bearing a stout, chitinous spine. The 

 larva of this form is about the same size as that ofC. subcan- 

 tans. It may be easily distinguished therefrom by the longer, 

 tapering air tube and the smaller number of slender comb scales. 

 This larva is in turn readily differentiated from that of Cul- 

 icada fitchii by its stouter air tube, and in particular by 

 the two isolated, well separated teeth terminating the pecten. 

 There is also a marked though more minute difference in the comb 

 scales of these two species. The large apical spine of the comb 

 in this form is from one half to two thirds the length of the entire 

 structure, whereas in C . fitchii the apical spine is only from 

 about one half to one third the length of the scale. 



Life history. This species probably winters in the egg, the 

 larvae hatching very early in the spring. There is but one gen- 

 eration, as this species is not met with after the middle to the 

 latter part of May. The larvae are confined very largely to grassy 

 pools, occasionally breeding therein in considerable numbers, 

 though more frequently occuring rather sparingly. They exhibit 

 a marked tendency to shelter themselves imder overhanging 

 grass, and random dips in pools apparently iminhabited, have 

 repeatedly been fruitful in securing larvae of this species. It is 

 a difficult form to rear and owing to its close resemblance to C . 

 subcantans, it has imdoubtedly been confused with that 

 species. The larvae are foimd in association with the very early 

 spring forms, Culicada trichurus, C. abfitchii 

 and the slightly later species, C. fitchii, C. canadensis, 

 C. impiger, Corethra karnerensis and C. cinctipes. 



Female. Proboscis straight, about two thirds as long as the 

 body, light brown, flecked with numerous white scales near the 

 middle, particularly on the underside, dark brown apically. Palpi 

 short, dark brown; base of third and fourth segments narrowly 

 and irregularly ringed with white scales, third about one half as 

 long as the fourth, which bears a moderate rudimentary sub- 

 globular fifth segment. Antennae, basal segment light brown, 



