342 NORTH AMERICAN MELANOPLI (ORTHOPTERA) 



The Viridipes Group 



The form of the male cerci is vastly the most important external 

 feature in distinguishing the species of this group. Thickening of 

 the apex of the male abdomen is weak in similis and our specimens 

 of longicornis, very weak in sylvaticus, pronounced in all the other 

 species. The male supra-anal plate averages definitely shorter in 

 acrophilus, the races of cherokee and deceptus than in the other 

 species. The apical tubercle of the male subgenital plate shows 

 average differences in different species (weak or obsolete in 

 hubbelli, our specimens of longicornis, acrophilus and deceptus) but 

 individual variation is too great to give this feature much weight 

 except in similis where this tubercle is distinctly transverse, 

 broader than deep. Tegminal development is weakest in syl- 

 vaticus, the races of viridipes, similis and acrophilus pachycercus, 

 but it is sometimes as weak in longicornis, the races of acrophilus, 

 cherokee and deceptus. We have noted differences in coloration, 

 but the general color pattern is similar throughout; great reces- 

 sion, however, distinguishes sylvaticus and great intensification is 

 frequent in viridipes eurycercus and usual in the races of acrophilus, 

 cherokee and deceptus. 



Separation of females of these species and races without males 

 is most difficult. The locality from which they come must first 

 be considered to determine which species may occur there. 

 Degree of tegminal development and depth of coloration alone 

 remain as a clue toward their proper assignment. 



Melanoplus sylvaticus McNeill (PL XXII, fig. 1) 



1S99. Melanoplus sylvaticus McNeill, Psyche, vin, p. 345. [cf , 9 ; Carroll, 

 Boone and Newton Counties, Arkansas.] 



This species was reported from along wooded cliffs and has not 

 subsequently been recorded. It is probably widely distributed 

 but local in the Ozark region. 



Missouri: Mountain Grove, VI, 5, 1914 and VII, 1, 1915, (M. P. Somes), 

 1 cf, 1 9. Willard, VI, 29 to VII, 11, 1919, (A. E. Brower), 37 d" , 29 9- 



Arkansas: Ozona, VI, 11, 1932, (R. H. Beamer), 6 d\ 5 9, [Univ. of 

 Kansas]. 



