Nymphal Habitat of Oliarus Vicarius (Homoptera: Cixiidae), and Possible Association With Aphaenogaster and Paratrechina (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Oliarus is a cosmopolitan genus represented in North America north of Mexico by 51 species (Mead 1968). The most recently published key is found in a preliminary revision by Ball (1934) in which 31 species of Oliarus are recognized. Mead (1968) showed that O. vicarius (Walker) and O. quinquelineatus (Say) are so similar in morphology and habits that misidentifications are made. Mead stated that O. vicarius ranges only from North Carolina southward to Florida and, with few exceptions, is restricted to the coastal plain. O. quinquelineatus is widespread in the eastern half of North America. Its range overlaps that of O. vicarius as far south as Gainesville, Florida. Little is known of the nymphal habitat and behavior of O. vicarius. Prior to the report of Sheppard et al (1979) nymphs of O. vicarius were unknown. They were found by Sheppard et al (1979) in unoccupied galleries in mounds of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta Buren, and also in rotten stumps and logs. We here give further information on nymphal habitat and adult flight patterns. In addition, observations are given for 2 ant species frequently found with O. vicarius nymphs.