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NOTES ON GRASS INSECTS IN WASHINGTON, D. C. 
By HERBERT OSBORN, Ames, Iowa. 
While in Washington in August, 1890, I had the opportunity of ex- 
amining, by Prof. Riley’s kind invitation, the lawn at his residence on 
Washington Heights, where various grass pests had been at work to such 
an extent as to cause a decided damage to the lawn. The following 
Species were noted: 
Aulacizes irrorata Fab.—One larva not quite grown, and which may 
have been feeding on some other plant than the grass. 
Diedrocephala mollipes Say.—But few specimens of this usually com- 
mon species were taken, and the majority had probably migrated to 
situations furnishing fresher vegetation. 
Deltocephalus inimicus Say.—Quite plenty, but not so abundant as 
Cicadula 4-lineata, as shown by the results of sweeping. 
Deltocephalus sayt Fitch.—Not common, and apparently occupying 
about the same position as regards numbers as in Iowa. 
Deltocephalus retrorsus Uhl.—Two specimens only were secured, which 
would indicate about the same rarity as in Iowa. 
Allygus (Phlepsius irroratus) Say.—But one specimen of this species, 
which is often common, was taken in the sweepings. 
Athysanus exitiosa Uhl.—Not very abundant. 
Athysanus? sp.—TIwo specimens of a small green species similar to or 
identical with a common species in Lowa. 
Cicadula quadrilineata Forbes.—This species occurred in immense 
numbers, being the most abundant of all species taken in the sweep net. 
Prof. Forbes described this as a pest in oat fields, but it is evident from 
its numbers in grass that it can be a very serious pest in meadows and 
lawns as well. It may be mentioned that there was a small patch of 
oats not far from the lawn swept, but this species was swarming also to 
lights in the city during the evenings, which would indicate some very 
common food-plant near, and I think there can be no question that it 
breeds extensively in grass. Adults and larve of various sizes were 
taken. 
Cicadula nigrifrons Forbes.—This species, also described by Prof. 
Forbes and from specimens associated with the preceding species, was 
taken in considerable numbers, but was by no means so abundant as 
O. 4-lineata. It seems very closely allied to the species described by 
Fitch as Jassus 4-punctatus and 6-punctatus, and these last two as rep- 
resented by series of specimens in the Division Collection are separated 
with difficulty. C. nigrifrons has the front much darker, but in other 
respects I find no constant difference. The spots on the front vertex 
are somewhat variable in size and distinctness, but seem to agree in 
position and number on all three species. 
