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Notes on Variation in Neural Structure of New Zealand Cicadas.
(Genus Melampsalta.)
[Read before the Wellington Philosophical Society, 25th August, 1926; received by Editor, 26th August, 1926; issued separately, 4th August, 1927.]
Trough the kindness of Mr. S. Lindsay, of Christchurch, I have had the pleasure of adding to my collection a fine specimen of that very interesting little cicada, Pauropsalta lindsayi Myers. In describing this new form* Mr. Myers explains that the genus Pauropsalta, of which this is the first New Zealand exponent, is distinguished by the possession of only five apical cells in the wings (hind-wings). On the receipt of Mr. Lindsay's specimen I examined its neuration, and found that whilst the right wing had five apical cells characteristic of the genus Pauropsalta the left had six apical cells characteristic of Melampsalta. A cursory examination of a few specimens of various species of Melampsalta convinced me that the character relied on for generic separation was variable, and I therefore decided to examine the neuration of the hind-wings of the whole of the Cicadas in my collection, embracing 197 specimens belonging to 15 species. I must here explain that Mr. Myers has very kindly advised me that he has examined the types of our New Zealand Cicadas in the British Museum, and he finds certain amendments in nomenclature are necessary. Doubtless he will shortly communicate these amendments to the New Zealand Institute, but in the meantime, I desire to use the amended names supplied to me by Mr. Myers. In order therefore to make the matter quite clear and, at the same time avoid anticipating Mr. Myers, I give under each species a reference to Plates 45 and 46 in volume 53, Trans. N.Z. Inst., so as to indicate precisely what species is meant. I may add that these plates were prepared by myself, from my own specimens, to illustrate the paper by Mr. Myers which they accompany.
The results of the detailed examination of my collection of Cicadas are as follows:—
Melampsalta cingulata Fabr. (Plate 45, figs. 5 and 6.) Five specimens examined. Six apical cells in hind-wings. No variation.
Melampsalta strepitans Kirkaldy. (Plate 45, figs. 7.) Thirteen specimens examined. One male with seven apical cells in right wing and six in left wing.
Melampsalta cauta Myers. (Plate 45, fig. 8.) Five specimens examined. Six apical cells. No variation.
Melampsalta scutellaris Walk. (Plate 46, figs. 3 and 4.) Twelve specimens examined. One female with five apical cells in right wing, six in left wing. One female with five in left wing and six in right
[Footnote] * Trans. N.Z. Inst., 56, 430.
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wing. One male with small supplementary cell near apex in left wing.
Melampsalta leptomera Myers. (Plate 46, fig. 1.) Two specimens examined. Six apical cells. No variation.
Melampsalta cruentata Fabr. (Plate 45, fig. 11.) Seventeen specimens examined. One male with small supernumerary cell in both wings differently placed on each. One female with five apical cells in left wing. One male with five in right wing.
Melampsalta muta Fabr. (var. sub alpina.) (Plate 46, figs. 12 and 13.) Twenty-six specimens examined. One male with small supernumerary cell in right wing near apex. One female with two small supernumerary cells in each wing differently placed. One male with first apical cell of left wing divided transversely into two.
Melampsalta muta Fabr. (Plate 46, figs. 9, 10, 11.) Forty-two specimens examined. One female with first apical cell in both wings divided transversely. One male with small extra cell in left wing. One male with five apical cells in left wing. One male with two minute extra cells in left wing. Two females with minute extra cell in right wing. One female with seven apical cells in right wing. One female with small extra cell in left wing. One male with seven apical cells in left wing. One male with seven apical cells in right wing.
Melampsalta sericea Walk. (Plate 46, figs. 7, 8.) Ten specimens examined. One male with five apical cells in right wing. One male with five apical cells in left wing.
Melampsalta ochrina Walk. (Plate 46, figs. 5, 6.) Thirteen specimens examined. Six apical cells. No variation.
Melampsalta nigra Myers. (Plate 45, figs. 1, 2.) Ten specimens examined. One female with small extra cell near apex of right wing. One female with minute extra cell in left wing. One male with seven apical cells in left wing.
Melampsalta cassiope Huds. (Plate 45, figs. 3, 4.) Twenty-two specimens examined. One male with five apical cells in both wings. One male with four apical cells in both wings. One female with small extra cell in right wing. One female with five apical cells in right wing.
Melampsalta iolanthe Huds. (Plate 45, fig. 9.) Fifteen specimens examined. One female with five apical cells in right wing. One female with five apical cells in left wing.
Melampsalta campbelli Myers. Two specimens examined. Six apical cells. No variation.
Melampsalta hamiltoni Myers. Two specimens examined. One male with five apical cells in right wing.
Pauropsalta?? lindsayi Myers. One specimen (male). Right wing with five apical cells; left wing with six apical cells.
It will thus be seen that out of the 197 specimens examined, no less than 33 individuals, or over 16 per cent., exhibited variation in the neuration of the hind-wings. It is hardly necessary to point out that investigations of this character have an important bearing on the ultra-refined methods of modern systematists. New genera and new species are constantly being described, based on small structural differences, often arrived at by the examination of only one or two specimens.