\ _ _ ' A PSYCHE A Journal of Entomology Volume XXX 1923 Edited by Charles T. Brues Published by the Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass., U. S. A. Printed by The St. Albans Messenger Company St. Albans, Vermont PSYCHE A JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY Established in 1874 VOL. XXX FEBRUARY, 1923 NO. 1 CONTENTS The Occurrence of Muscina pascuorum Meigen in North America in 1922. C. W. Johnson 1 Two New Bembecids (Hymenoptera) from Channel Islands, California. C. L. Fox 6 A Singular Habit of Sawfly Larvse. W. M. Wheeler & W. M. Mann ... 9 Two New Ants from Bolivia. W. M. Mann 12 A New Genus of Myrmecophilous Phoridse with Notes on Some Related Forms. C.T.Brues 18 The Probable Occurrence of Parthenogenesis in Ochthiphila lolystigma {F>\pte.rd) A, H. Sturtevant 22 Phorticolea boliviae, a New Myrmecophilous Cockroach from South America. A. N. Caudell 28 Verbenapis - A Correction 30 A Fossil Genus of Dinapsidse from Baltic Amber (Hymenoptera) C. T. Brues 31 Recent Books 35 Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club 36 CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1922 President ..... A. P. Morse Vice-President .... R. H. Howe, Jr. Secretary ..... J. H. Emerton Treasurer ..... . F. H. Walker Executive Commiitee . C. W. Johnson, Miss E. P. Butler O. E. Plath EDITORIAL BOARD OF PSYCHE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C. T. Brues, Harvard University ASSOCIATE EDITORS C. W. Johnson, Nathan Banks, Boston Society of Natural History. Harvard University. A. L. Melander, a. P. Morse, Washington State College. Peabody Museum. J. H. Emerton, J. G. Needham, Boston, Mass. Cornell University. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University. PSYCHE is published bi-monthly, the issues appearing in February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription price, per year, payable in advance: $2.00 to subscribers in the United States, Canada or Mexico; foreign postage, 15 cents extra. Single copies, 40 cents. 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AUTHOR’S SEPARATES. Reprints of articles may be secured by authors, if they are ordered before, or at the time proofs are received for corrections. The cost of these will be furnished by the Editor on appli- cation. Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Boston, Mass. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103, Act of October 3, I9i7i authorized on June 29, 1918. PSYCHE VOL. XXX. FEBRUARY 1923 No. 1 THE OCCURENCE OF MUSCINA PASCUORUM MEIGEN IN NORTH AMERICA IN 1922.^ (Presented Dec. 26, 1922, at the Boston meeting of the Entomological Society of America.) By Charles W. Johnson. Boston Society of Natural History. The increase and spread of this European fly in such num- bers and over so wide an area, before its presence was actually discovered, was a great surprise, especially to the dipterist. The first specimens to come under my observation were received on October 10, among some Diptera collected by Dr. W. M. Wheeler, at Colebrook, Connecticut. The three specimens were taken, August 10, 18 and 21. A few days later I received a box of flies from Mr. K. F. Chamberlain, of Cornwall Bridge, Conn., and among them was a specimen collected August 6, the earliest record I have for the species. Mr. R. T. Webber found among the material collected at the Bound Brook nurseries, N. J., a specimen taken September L Professor C. T. Brues observed it in numbers both in his house and about a neighboring cider mill at Petersham, Mass., October 8. Mr. F. H. Walker* collected two specimens at Marblehead, Mass., October 15. A few days later I received five specimens from Mrs. Ella L. Horr of the Worcester Natural History Society. Mrs. Horr said they were abundant in the cupola of the building and that the janitor said they were there in September, but that she did not happen to go there until about October 21. I wrote her that the fly was new to me and that I should like very much to have some more spe- cimens. No males had been seen and I was doubtful in which of two European species to place it. On October 25, Mrs. Horr wrote to me that she had sent some to Washington and on the 26th sent me 51 specimens. I wrote to Dr. J. M. Aldrich in 2 Psyche [February regard to the matter and on November 1 he replied as follows ‘‘It is Muscina pascuorum Meigen. I have compared it with European specimens determined by several authorities, and hence there is no doubt of what it is.” On October 27 I took two specimens on the window at my home in Brookline and on the 31st I received several specimens from Mrs. L. C. Marshall, of East Walpole, who said they were abundant in her house. On November 1, Dr. G. M. Allen captured a specimen in his house in Cambridge. On the 3d Dr. F. T. Lewis brought in seven specimens taken at Waban, Newton, and on the same date Dr. J. A. Cushman collected a specimen at Sharon. On the 7th a specimen was taken on a window at the Boston Society of Natural History, and on the 8th Dr. Lewis took a specimen at the Harvard Medical School, Boston. Thes single specimens indicate that they were by no means common in the city. On the 7th Dr. Cushman collected at Sharon nine specimens, among which was a male, the first I had seen. Dr Cushman then made three collections at Sharon, which are in- teresting in showing the relative proportion of this and the other species that normally frequent houses in the autumn. November 12, 46 Muscina pascuorum (all females), 30 M. assimilis, 19 Pollenia rudis, 10 Phormia reyina, 1 Cynomyia cadavorina, and 1 Musca domesiica. November 16, 22 M. pascuorum, 12 M. assimilis, 15 P rudis, and 2 P. regina. November 26, 13 M. pascuorum, IIP, rudis, and 5 P. regina Another interesting series showing the relative abundanc of this species was made by Mr. F, H. Walker in the attic of a summer cottage at Asbury Grove, Mass. November 9, he col- lected 275 Muscina pascuorum (2 males), 21 Pollenia rudis, 15 Phormia regina, and 1 M. assimilis. Mr. Walker says: “I could have obtained thousands from neighboring cottages. The sky- light from which I obtained these flies measured 22 by 36 inches.” The following additional records show how abundant and generally distributed the species is throughout eastern Massa- 1923] Occurence of Muscina pascuorum in North America 3 chusetts On November 10 Mr. M. T. Smulyan took a specimen at Melrose Highlands; on the 11th Mr. A. P. Morse captured a number at Ipswich; and on the 12th at Wellesley. On the 13th Mr. W. L. Maxcy reported it as abundant in his house at Still- water. On the 14th I caught the second male on a window in Brookline, and on the same date Mr. R. T. Webber reported it from Dover, and Mr. G. W. Barber from Arlington. On the 15th Miss Margaret Hayden collected it at Ashland; on the 18th Mr. C. V. Blackburn obtained it at Stoneham; on the 19th Mr. L. W. Jenkins secured it at Putnamville. On the 30th Mr. S. N. F. Sanford caught a specimen at Fall River, and on Dec. 2 Dr. G. M. Allen captured two at Cohasset. Correspondence, together with a note published in Science (November 24), has further added to our knowledge of its dis- tribution. Under date of November 14, Dr. W. E. Britton, of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven, writes: ‘‘We have noticed a number of large-sized flies around the windows and have killed some of them. We paid little attention to the species, but there are now some dead ones around the place and I will have some of them relaxed, pinned, and sent to you.” I received the flies, November 21 and they were all M. 'pascuorum. Dr. H. T. Fernald, of Amherst, Mass., writes, “Answering your letter of Nov. 17, I may say that we have noticed a species of Muscina on our windows this fall and took specimens first on Oct. 12, though they were present considerably before that date. We are referring it to Muscina pabulorum Meig. I should be very glad to know whether we are on the right track.” Under date of November 28, Dr. Fernald again writes: “Many thanks for your letter of Nov.. 27. It has been reasonably abundant here, and was certainly present for at least a week or ten days before we thought of taking and actually dating a specimen. I have not heard of it from any other part of the. state mainly because nobody appears to pay any attention to flies which show up on house windows.” In a letter from Dr. O. A. Johannsen. of Ithaca, N. Y., dated November 24, he says: — 4 Psyche [February ‘‘I saw your note in Science this evening with regard to Muscina pascuorum and hasten to state that in Ithaca we have just discovered a new Muscina. Tuesday of this week I caught a fly in my laboratory which looked like M. stabulans but with black legs. As I was busy with other things I thought no more about it until the next day when Mr. Raymond C. Shannon came in with a fly which he asked me to look at. He realized that it was not one of the two species of Muscinas which were prevalent here. Mr. Shannon has been taking this species in Ithaca now for several days and he told me that there is one (either in his own or in the University collection, I have for- gotten which) which was caught here in September. We tried to identify it and reached the conclusion that it was either pabulorum or pascuorum.” Later Mr. Shannon wrote: ‘‘My captures of Muscina pas- cuorum consist of nine females and one male, collected from September 5 to November 22. “On December 16 Jos. C. Ouellet, C. S. V. of Outremont, Quebec, writes: — “I have just received from Father Ducharme of Rigaud College, a specimen which closely resembles Muscina pascuorum. I am mailing you the specimen today.’’ The specimen was received on the 20th and proved to be a male of that species and the most northern record. Over 450 specimens have come under my observation and of these only ten were males. A natural inference is, that this is probably due to their having been discovered so late in the season, and that it is usually the female that comes into the houses to hibernate. On the other hand it was not until Novem- ber 7 that I saw a male, after over 90 specimens had been seen, and Dr. Wheeler informs me that the specimens he collected in August were taken on flowers. I can find very little in literature pertaining to the habits of this species. Schiner (Fauna Austriaca, I, 597) says that “Bremi found the larvjae in Agaricus citrinus.” On making some inquiry regarding the fungi found in the vicinity of Boston, Miss Jennie F. Conant, Secretary of the Boston Mycologial Club, informed me that this is the same as Amanita citrina, common to both 1923] Occurence of Muscina pascuorum in North America 5 Europe and North America. It is found from August to early November, and some of the members of the Club say that it was quite common this year. Charles Mcllvaine (One thousand American Fungi, p.7. 1900) considers it only a form of A. phal- loides. Miss Conant also reported a number of other species of Amanita, including A. phalloides, as being common, and as early as July, If Muscina pascuorum is strictly fungicolous, the abundance of these fungi might account for the rapid in- crease of this fly during the autumn. The wide distribution that this fly has attained in this country before being discovered, makes it difficult to ascertain where the species was actually introduced. The prezence of the fly in Connecticut and New Jersey at least two months before being observed in the vicinity of Boston, is an indication that it was probably introduced somewhere near New York City, sometime prior to the present year (1922). This theory is strengthened by the usual or apparently natural line of dispersal of species in a northerly or northeasterly direction, as followed by most of the introduced species; e. g., elm beetle, asparagus beetles, leopard moth, gipsy moth, etc. Its present distribution would indicate a still wider dispersal if all records were available. Its habit of entering houses would also induce it to enter railroad cars and thus be rapidly and widely transported over the country, a factor that probably partly accounts for its sudden and wide-spread appearance. It promises to be as great a nuisance to housekeepers as the cluster fly {Pollenia rudis) which often enters houses in great numbers in the autumn. The last living specimen of Muscina pascuorum was received from Dr. Lewis, Waban, Mass., December 14. It will probably continue to appear in lesser numbers during the warm days throughout the winter and spring. A study of its habits and dispersal during the coming year will prove very interesting. 6 Psyche [February TWO NEW BEMBECIDS (HYMENOPTERA) FROM THE CHANNEL ISLANDS, CALIFORNIA. By Chas. L. Fov, San Fransico, Cal. Bembix hamata sp. nov. Male: Black; labmm, mandibles except apex, broad base and narrow lateral margins; clypeus; lower part of Irons between antennal bases (angled dorsally); scape below; broad anterior orbits much shortened above; very narrow posterior orbits, ab- breviated above and much shortened below at lower fourth of eye from mandibles; fascia on the first tergite reduced to small sub- ovate lateral spots; narrow undulate fascia on tergites 2-6, usually narrowly interrupted medially, except that on 6 which is continuous and strongly notched on posterior border; small spot on each side apical area of ultimate tergite, sometimes wanting, lateral spots of sternites 2-5, sometimes very small ones on 6, an apical wedge shaped stripe on femora above, longer on anterior pair, tibiae except black stripe on posterior surface and tarsi, all dull greenish yellow, the tarsi having a rusty tinge. Seg- ments 7-9 of flagellum sub-spinose on posterior border; segments 9-11 bearing large open flat depressions, the ultimate segment a trifle longer than the preceding, only slightly curved, almost as broad at the roundedly truncate apex as at the base; inter- mediate femora below irregularly serrate-dentate; second ster- nite bearing a median hooked process distinctly higher than its basal length, much as in foxi, the sixth bearing a prominent ob- lique process narrowed and more produced posteriorly than in nubilipennis; this sternite also bearing a similar pair of rounded lateral processes or ridges; seventh sternite with a prominent median carina. Inner margins of the eyes nearly parallel. Flagellum tinged with fulvous below. Wings hyaline, veins dark brown. Head, thorax, median segment, base of abdomen, coxae, trochanters and femora clothed with dense long pale pubescence, becoming longer and white beneath, the rest of the abdomen shorter-pubescent. 1923] Two New Bembecids from the Channel Islands 7 Genital stipites shaped much as in comata as shown by Parker (fig. 163) but the inner margin more arcuated before the apical notch, the hairs longer and confined to the inner half of the surface and the basal suture oblique for its whole length, as in Parkers’ figure 169. Length 18-20 mm. Both in the Handlirsch and Parker keys this species runs to nubilipennis from which it differs in the size and shape of the body (being very robust) and in the absence of maculation on the thorax, pattern of maculation on the tergites and ster- nites, color and maculation of the legs, spinose character of the segments of the flagellum, serrate dentations of the intermediate femora, the longer and more dense pale pubescence and the form of the male stipites. In general appearance this species some- what resembles amoena, principally on account of the robustness of the body and the pattern of maculation on the tergites, but from which it can readily be distinguished by the character of the processes on the second and sixth sternites, absence of macula- tion on the thorax, the much shorter apical spurs on the inter- mediate tibiae and the form of the stipites. Like the related species this shows some variation in the yellow marking; two specimens have small spots on the tegulse and one a larger spot at the inferior angle of the prothorax. Described from twelve males taken by Mr. E. P. Van Duzee on San Miguel Island, Santa Barbara County, California, May 20, 1919. Holotype, male. No. 928, Mus. Calif. Acad. Sci.; paratypes in the collection of the Academy and in that of the author. Type locality; San Miguel Island, Calif. Bembix hamata subsp., lucida subsp. nov. Male: Black; labrum, mandibles except apex and very nar- roe base; clypeus, lower part of frons between antennal bases (angled dorsally); anterior orbits, much shortened above, nar- row posterior orbits slightly shortened above and below almost reaching base of mandibles; posterior edge of tubercles continued 8 Psyche [February in a narrow stripe down the sides of the prothorax ; tegulse except apex; fascia on first tergite, very widely interrupted medially, shortened to large elongated lateral spots; fasciae on tergites 2-5, continous and undulate on anterior border, deeply notched on posterior, that on sixth covering entire tergite except narrow posterior edge; large quadrate spot on apex of ultimate tergite, emarginate anteriorly; lateral spots on sternites 2-6; femora distally above and below ; anterior tibiae except broad stripe below and narrow one above, intermediate and posterior except short stripe below, and tarsi, all greenish yellow. The markings of head and femora below are more of a greenish white (in the species yellow). The segments of the flagellum have the same characters and color as in the species; the intermediate femora are more strictly dentate than in the species. The second sternite bears a large median hooked process (not so high as in the species), and the sixth a shorter and more acute median process and less prominent lateral ridges; seventh with a prominent median carina. The characters of the eyes and pubescence are the same as in the species. This subspecies can readily be distinguished from the typical form of the species by the maculations on the head, thorax and abdomen and the general clearer color. Described from one male taken by Mr. E. P. Van Duzee on Santa Cruz Island, Santa Barbara County, California, May 18, 1919. Holotype, male. No. 929 Mus. Calif. Acad. Sci. Type locality; Santa Cruz Island, California. 1923] A Singular Habit of Sawfly Larvae 9 A SINGULAR HABIT OF SAWFLY LARViF By W. M. Wheeler and W. M. Mann. The following casual observations made in two widely separated South American localities seem worth recording as we have been unable to find any published account of similar behavior among the larvae of New World sawflies. July 16, 1920, the attention of the senior author was at- tracted to a very conspicuous, compact mass of sawfly larvae crawling like a hugh slug over the short grass and sandy soil along the side of a trail through the jungle near Kartabo, British Guiana. The mass was about ten inches long, four inches broad and two inches thick in the middle. It was elongate elliptical and rather pointed at each end and retained its shape and size unaltered as it progressed like a single organism over the sub- stratum. It consisted of about 200 larvae, each an inch long and of a deep metallic blue color (Fig. 1). Further investigation of of this singular mass was cut short by a heavy tropical shower. A number of the larvae were hastily thrown into a vial of alcohol. Although the senior author hoped to find the larvae in the same locality under conditions more favorable for study, they were not again encountered either by him or by any of the other workers at the Tropical Laboratory. The junior author had occasion to study a migrating mass of the same or of a closely related sawfly larva during February 1922, on the forest trail between the Mission and the edge of the pampa, near Cavinas on the Rio Beni, in Bolivia. The mass which he encountered was about a foot long, three or four inches broad at the middle, narrowed in front and behind and thickest in the middle. It, too, consisted of more than a hundred dark metallic blue larvse of the same size as those observed by the senior author. The mass was also moving along as a compact unit and from a distance looked like a gigantic Planarian. When a pair of forceps was thrust into the midst of the larvse and a number of them thrown out to the side, those in front and behind 10 Psyche [February slowed up, appeared to be disturbed and jerked from side to side. The ejected individuals immediately headed for the mass and crawled into it and the whole, thus redintegrated, then quickened its pace and was soon moving along as before. Fig. 1. Sawfly larvae from Kartabo, British Guiana. X 1% Mr. S. A. Rohwer kindly examined a number of the larvae taken at Kartabo and reported as follows: “I regret that I am unable to help you very much with the identification of these specimens. We know so little about the larvae of exotic saw- flies and especially about those from South America. The only thing I can do is to guess as to the group to which your specimens belong. They remind me very much of the larva of Perga, and as this group is not represented in South America, but is replaced by another subfamily, I venture to suggest that your specimens belong to the family Perreyidae, subfamily Syzygoniidae ( Philo- mastiginae of my classification of 1910). I imagine that the crawling larvae you saw were in their last feeding stage and were looking for a place for pupation. I should also imagine that they had fed gregariously and that they would cocoon gregariously. Perhaps their cocoons will resemble those of the Australian genus 1923] A Singular Habit of Saw fly Larvce 11 Perga or those of the subfamily Argiinse; that is, they would have a single, more or less impervious cocoon surrounded by a loosely woven, reticulate, outer cocoon which would be covered with long hair/’ Such literature as we have been able to consult on the habits of the Australian saw-flies of the genus Perga proves to be very interesting in connection with the South American larvae referred by Mr. Rohwer to the family Perryidae. Froggatt (1891, 1901 and 1918) has published notes on the larval habits of several species of Perga. Concerning one of them, the ^‘steel-blue saw- fly”, P. dorsalis Leach, he says (1918): “The gregarious larvae feed at night, and rest during the day, clustered together in an oval mass, on the stem of the gum-tree upon which they are feeding. When disturbed, they exude a sticky yellow substance from the mouth, at the' same time raising the tip of the body, and tapping it down on the foliage. The leaves are devoured from the top of the young gum trees; and when the larvae are full fed, they crawl down the stem to pupate. I have found them fully developed in the middle of April; but when they descend from their resting place, they wander about over the grass for several days before they finally select a place in which to pupate, general- ly the softer soil against a tree-trunk. Into this they burrow to a depth of three or four inches, massing their large, oval cocoons in rows, one against the other. I watched several large swarms feeding upon the Peppermint-gums {Eucalyptus novce-anglicB) at our Experiment Station at Uralla, and afterwards in their erratic wanderings over the grass; and marked down their final resting place and dug up the cocoons. At Binalong, in April, I observed two large swarms marching in massed formation; the heads of the hind rows always rested upon those in front as they moved along steadily together. Every now and then, the front rank came to a dead stop, when they all rested for three or four minutes; then a number began raising up and tapping down the tip of the abdomen, whereupon the whole band took up the motion; the leading ranks made a fresh start, and all moved along again. In the largest band, I counted two hundred and fifty caterpillars.” 12 Psyche [February Social tendencies are revealed not only by the Perga larvae and pupae, but also in the extraordinary protection of the young larvae by the mother saw-fly. Lewis (1836) long ago described this behavior in P. lewisi Westwood of Tasmania, and Froggatt (1901), who says that this is ‘^the commonest sawfly about Sydney on bloodwood” {Eucalyptus corymbosa), records his own observations as follows: ‘^The female makes a double slit on the upper surface of the leaf generally among the young growth, in which she inserts a double row of elongate eggs, which, as they swell form a regular blister, but the most remarkable fact in the life history of this insect is the care she takes after laying her eggs. Nearly all insects after the eggs are laid leave them to their fate, but Lewis’ saw-fly not only stands guard over them until they are hatched but further looks after the helpless grubs for some time after they have commenced feeding. She straddles the eggs with her wings half opened, the tip of her abdomen turned up, and with her jaws open, makes a slight buzzing sound if meddled with; if you pick her up, she never attempts to fly, but crawls back to her post, reminding one of an old hen protecting her chicks. The grubs when full grown are slightly under 13^2 inches in length, general colour dull brown to dirty yellow, cover- ed with short brown hairs, the last abdominal segment yellow. When full grown they crawl into the ground and form the typical form of cocoon, generally in regular rows.” LITERATURE. 1836. Lewis, R. H. Case of Maternal Attendance on the Larva by an Insect of the Tribe of Terebrantia, belonging to the genus Perga, observed at Hobarton, Tasmania. Trans. Ent. Soc. London 1, 1836, pp. 232-234. 1891. Froggatt, W. W. Notes on the Life-history of Certain Saw-flies (Genus Perga) with Description of a New Species. Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales 5, 1891, pp. 283-288. 1923] Two New Ants from Bolivia 13 1901 The Pear and Cherry Slug {Eriocampa limacina Retz), generally known as Selandria cerasi, with Notes on Australian Sawflies. Agric Gazette N. S. Wales 1901, pp. 1-11, 4 pis. 1918 Notes on Australian Sawflies (Ten- thredinidse). Proc. Linn. Soc. N. S. Wales 43, 1918, pp. 668-726. TWO NEW ANTS FROM BOLIVIA (Results of the Mulford Biological Exploration. — Entomology.) By Wm M. Mann. BUREAU OF ENTOMOLOGY, U. S. DEI ARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. Among the material collected in Bolivia and so far studied, two ants are of especial interest. One belongs to an aberrant undescribed genus of “driver ant” (Dorylinse) and the other is a Ponerine species very similar to Proholomyrmex filiformis Mayr known from workers described in 1901, from Port Elizabeth, Cape Colony. The latter is an example of discontinuous dis- tribution, such as is frequently found among the Ponerine ant«i. but it is the first case in its subfamily of a South African and South American relationship. Subfamily Dorylinoe Leptanilloides gen. nov. Worker. — Small, slender, monomorphic. Head elongate, subquadrate, anterior portion of front rather strongly impressed. Clypeus short. Frontal carinse very short, fused between the antennae, separated anteriorly and bordering the antennal fossae. Cheeks with a strong carina, which projects forward as a blunt tooth. Mandibles with distinct basal and apical portions sep- arated by a rounded angle. Eyes absent. Antennae 12-jointed, stout, scape short, funiculus moderately thickened distally, 14 Psyche [February joints submoniliform. Thorax long, slender and flattened; mesoepinotum compressed laterally; promesonotal impression strong; mesoepinotal impression obsolete. Epinotum unarmed. Petiole subcylindrical, not pedunculate. Postpetiole shorter and broader than the petiole. Gaster long and slender, the three segments visible from above separated by strong constrictions. Legs, long spines of anterior tibise very strongly pectinate, those of middle tibise small, of the posterior pair moderately pectinate. Claws simple. Genotype. — Leptanilloides hiconstricta^ new species. Leptanilloides biconstricta sp. nov. (Fig. 1) Worker. — Length 1.80-2 mm. Head subquadrate, very slightly narrowed behind, more than twice as long as broad, sides nearly straight and parallel; occipital corners rounded, border feebly concave. Mandibles slender; their blades edentate. Anterior border of clypeus straight. Antennse stout, scapes clavate, extending about three-eighths the distance to occipital borders; first funic- ular joint rounded, broader and longer than the second; joints 2-10 slightly transverse, gradually increasing in size toward apex; terminal joint about as long as the two preceding together. Thorax and epinotum elongate, slender, flat above; pronotum from above broadest at humeri, with sides feebly convex; mesoG pinotum seen from above, quadrate, two and a half times as long as broad, with nearly straight sides; epinotal declivity very short and rounding into the basal portion. Petiolar node from above a little longer and two-thirds as broad as the post petiole, very slightly narrowed from front to rear and with straight sides; in profile slightly convex above, the ventral outline convex at anterior half and concave behind, projected anteriorly as a blunt cone. Postpetiole in profile rather strongly convex beneath, feebly above; from above a little longer than broad, feebly broadened from front to rear, with straight anterior and posterior borders and nearly straight sides. First gastric 1923] Two New Ants from Bolivia 15 segment a little longer than the second or third. Legs long, the femora swollen and the tibiae enlarged apically. Fig. 1. Worker Lepianilloides biconslricia gen. nov. et sp. nov. A, dorsal, B, profile view. Shining; head with abundant, separated, coarse, punctures; thorax and abdomen with much finer and sparser punctures. Head, body and appendges with abundant, rather coarse, short and erect, brownish hairs. Color brownish red. Type-Locality. — Tumupasa, Bolivia. Cotypes. — Cat. No. 25905, U, S. N. M. Described from a small series of workers, taken with callows, but without sexual or immature phases, from beneath a deeply embedded stone near a stream. In general habitus this is very similar to Leptanilla, but the structure of the head associates it more closely with Eciton, from which it is distinct in the form of the frontal lamellae, the form of the gaster and in not being polymorphic. IG Psyche [February Subfamily Ponerince. Pfobolomyrmex? boliviensis sp. nov. (Fig. 2). Female. — (dealated) Length 2.8 mm. Head about one and one-half times as long as broad, with slightly convex sides, rounded occipital angles and straight border; vertex and posterior portion of head broadly and evenly rounded, anterior part projected as a thick plate, broader than long and truncated in front, completely covering the mandibles. Clypeus on the anterior truncated portion, triangular, not sharply defined. Mandibles small and rather slender, blades rounding into the basal portions, with two indistinct and blunt teeth. Maxillary palpi 3-jointed, the first and second joints subequal in length and together as long as the third. Labial palp small, apparently 2-jointed. Frontal area rather large, feebly impressed. Frontal lamellae fused into a high, thin plate, strongly convex in profile; behind separated and very short. Antennal insertions near front margin of head, bordered by a fine Carina. Antennae 12-jointed, scape extending about four- fifths the distance to occipital corners; funiculus evenly enlarged distally, without club; first funicular joint longer than broad; joints 2-10 transverse; terminal as long as the three preceding joints together. Eyes small, little convex, situated at middle of sides. Ocelli small. Thorax long and rather narrow, moderately convex above and at sides, humeri broadly rounded Mesonotum one and one-third times as long as broad. Scutellum longer than broad, rounded behind, with feeble impressions at middle of sides. Epinotum with feebly convex base and nearly flat de- clivity, bluntly dentate at angle. Petiole elongate nodiform; from above, twice as long as broad, with the posterior margin concave at middle and subdentiform at sides; in profile longer than broad and nearly twice as thick behind as in front, its ventral outline bisinuate, with a blunt antero-ventral tooth; posterior surface strongly concave. Gaster slender, strongly constricted between the first and second segments, first segment narrowed in front, shorter than the second, remaining segments small, directed downward. Sting well developed and strong. 1923] Two New Ants from Bolivia 17 Legs long, rather slender, tibial spines coarse, those on posterior pair strongly pectinate. (Fig. 2. Female Probolomyrmex? boliviensts sp. nov. A, profile view; B, head, dorsal view) Opaque, finely, densely reticulate and in addition with rather coarse, foveolate punctures, especially prominent on the front of head, epinotum and gaster. Pubescence white, very fine, closely appressed, moderately abundant, more so on gaster and appendages. Brownish red, appendages brownish yellow. Type-locality . — Rurrenabaque, Bolivia. Type.— Cat. No. 25906, U. S. N. M. Described from a unique female found beneath a stone, near a small colony of Ponera sp. In Probolomyrmex holiviensis the posterior segments of the gaster are much smaller, the antero-ventral petiolar spine is rounded and points forward and the epinotum is dentate rather than angulate, characters different from those in P. filiformis Mayr, but I can find no difference of generic value that would separate the two. In the worker of filiformis Mayr the posterior gastric segments are larger, the antero-ventral petiolar spine is lamellate and "directed backward and the epinotum is angulate, instead of dentate. Perhaps when the female oi filiformis or the 18 Psyche [February worker of boliviensis is discovered it will be necessary to separate the two species generically, but the female of the latter resembles fiUformis so closely, even to the curious Platythyrea-like sculpture, that had it been taken in South Africa, instead of South America, one would be tempted to regard it merely as the female of Mayr’s species. A NEW GENUS OF MYRMECOPHILOUS PHORID.E, WITH NOTES ON SOME RELATED FORMS.“ By Charles T. Brues. Among the insects obtained by Dr. William M. Mann while a member of the Mulford Exploration in South America, are several species of wingless and subapterous Phoridse. With the exception of a single species, all were taken in the nests of ants and are undoubtedly myrmecophilous. One, which proves to represent a new genus, occurs with Tranopelta, a hypogseic ant not hitherto known to harbor any phorid myrmecophiles, while the others are ecitophiles previously described from other parts of the South American continent. The type of the new species is deposited in the United States National Museum. Tranopeltoxenos gen. nov. (Fig. 1). Entirely wingless. Head seen from above wide, twice as broad as long; antennae widely separated, nearly round, their cavities separated; arista very short and thick, indistinctly pubescent; palpi strongly bristled; front with a series of six small, slightly proclinate, bristles along the anterior margin between the antennae, and with eight macrochaetae disposed in two transverse rows; of these, the anterior row curves forward medially, with its lateral bristle behind the eye and the posterior row lies close to the occipital margin. Eyes very small; ocelli iResults Mulford Biological Exploration. — Entomology. 2Contribution from the Entomological Laboratory of the Bussey Institution, Harvard University. No. 215. 1923] Notes on Some Genera of Myrmecophilous Phoridce 19 absent. Proboscis short, stout, heavily chitinized and porrect. Thorax very short on its dorsal surface (as indicated by a pair of humeral and posterior-lateral macrochsetse) but when the abdomen is bent down, exposing the posterior slope, it is seen to be nearly as long as the head. Abdomen large, ovate, fully twice as wide as the head and broadest at the third segment behind which it tapers obliquely; second to fifth segments each with a row of six long, but not very stout bristles extending across the disc near the middle; sixth with a denser fringe along the margin; sides of all the segments each with several additional bristles. First six segements heavily chitinized, without any membranous bord- ers; following three segments tubular. Abdomen above moder- ately convex, below flat, so that in cross-section it is very strongly depressed. Legs rather short and stout; four posterior tibiae ciliate on the edge. Type : T. manni sp. nov. This insect is quite unique and I cannot place it in any of the described genera in spite of the fact that these are already very numerous. There is no indication of any gland opening on the fifth abdominal segment and the abdomen is heavily chitinized over its entire dorsal surface. It resembles Chonocephalus Wandolleck, but the form of the abdomen is very different, the palpi are very densely bristled, and both the cephalic and thoracic chsetotoxy disagree. Chonocephalus, also, so far as is known, is not myrmecophilous. Tranopeltoxenus manni sp. nov. (Fig. 1). 9 . Length 1.5 mm. Head and its appendages, thorax and legs, pale yellow; first five abdominal segments black or piceous, the sixth segment fuscous, the extrusible ones beyond whitish. Head above covered with sparse, appressed black hairs and at the sides anteriorly below the antennae with a row of bristly hairs. Bristles of palpi dense, as long as the width of the palpus. Antennae rather small, the arista but little longer than the diameter of the third joint. Post-antennal bristles rather stout, parallel, proclinate; inner bristles of lower frontal row rather 20 Psyche [February weak, set far apart, just above the antenna: bristles of upper row very large and curving backward very strongly. Second to fifth abdominal segments of about equal length, the third wider than the second; third and fourth narrower, the base of the fifth only two-thirds as wide as the second; sixth small; seventh to ninth fleshy, completely retractile. Transverse row of bristles Fig. 1. Tranopeltoxenos manni sp. nov. 9 on second segment placed before the middle, those of the third behind the middle, of the fourth and fifth some distance before the apex; sixth with a dense fringe at the apex. Described from two specimens, taken in a nest of Tranopelta gilva, var. amhlyops by Dr. W. M. Mann during December 1921 at Tumupasa, Bolivia. Type No. 25904, United States National Museum. 1 1923] Notes on Some Genera of Myrmecophilous Phoridce 21 Acontistoptera brasiliensis Schmitz Zool. Jahrb , Abth. f. Syst. vol. 37/p. 527 (1914) Dr. Mann obtained this species on two occasions, once at Tumupasa, Bolivia (December 1921) with Eciton coecum and again at Covendo, Bolivia, with the same ant. The type was found with E. predator in Santa Catarina, Brazil. There is a slight disagreement between these specimens and Schmitz’s original description, but I think this is undoubtedly due to the poor condition of the type which according to its describer is defective and glued to a card The mesonotum bears a pair of marcochsetse on the disc in front of the pair shown in the original figure ; so that there are two pairs of dorso-centrals instead of one. Also the abdomen bears a very small basal plate, elongate oval in form which is no doubt a vestige of the second tergite which is so large in most of the related genera. The three known species of Acontistoptera may be distinguished quite readily by the form of the thorax which is more or less triangular in all, but varies in width and length. Thus in A. melanderi Brues from Texas it is considerably longer than broad, in A. mexicana Malloch from Mexico, nearly twice as long as broad and narrowed almost to a point at the base of the scu- tellum, while in the present species the length scarcely exceeds the width. Ecitomyia comes Schmitz. Zool. Jahrb. Abth. f. Syst., vol. 37, p 524 {Ecitophora) This species is represented by two series, one taken with Eciton hurchelli at Huachi, Bolivia and the other with E. coecum at the mouth of the Rio Madidi, Bolivia (January 1922). The specimens all agree exactly with Schmitz’s original description and figures, but have no ocelli, and I feel quite positive that the hyaline spots referred to as ocelli are really the points where bristles have been broken off. Compared with Ecitomyia wheeleri Brues^ E, comes may be readily recognized by the complete absence of the second chitinous plate (third tergite) on the abdomen and by the more heavily bristled wings. 22 [February Psyche Pulidphora venata Aldrich Trans. Entom Soc. London, p. 436 (1896) (Phora). Brues. Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., vol. 29, p. 382 (1903). (PachyneureUa) Brues. Bull. Wisconsin Nat. Hist. Soc., vol. 12, p. 142 (1915) I cannot distinguish a series of females taken at Espia, Rio Bopi, Bolivia from the West Indian form. Dr. Mann’s specimens were attracted to masses of old cheese that had been abandoned by the expedition. A number of others in my collection from Grenada, B. W. I. were similarly trapped in jars containing chicken bones to which I found them attracted in great numbers. THE PROBABLE OCCURRENCE OF PARTHENOGENE- SIS IN OCHTHIPHILA POLY STIGMA. (DIPTERA) By a. H. Sturtevant, New York City. A total of 68 living specimens of Ochthiphila polystigma Meigen (one of the Ochthiphilinae. a subfamily included among the Acalypterate Diptera) was examined between August 23 and September 30, 1922. All were females; and there is no possibility that the males were found but not recognized as belonging to this species, since during that period no other member of the genus was taken. With the exception of a single female belonging to an apparently undescribed genus, the only other members of the subfamily Ochthiphilinae taken belonged to the very different genus Leucopis, and here both sexes were found. Eleven of the 0. polystigma females were dissected, and three more were fixed and sectioned. In none of these was any trace of sperm found. I was during this time making a com- parative study of the structure of the internal reproductive organs of the females of all the Acalypterae, and was thus in a position to know how and where to look for sperm. It is safe to 1923] Probable Occurence of Parthenogenesis in Ochthiphila 23 say that none was present. Yet several of these females con- tained what appeared to be fully formed eggs — in fact in a number of cases there was an egg already in the uterus. Such females, evidently laying eggs but without sperm present, were found as early as August 23 and as late as the middle of September. At both times there were also found females with ovaries still small — these again being without sperm. It seems clear thus that the results are not due to the collecting having been done either at the beginning of a generation, before males had emerged or at the end of one, after the males had mated and died. In addition to the live females just discussed, I have examin- ed the pinned material in my own collection, in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, in that of the United States National Museum, and in that of Prof. J. M. Aldrich. All the specimens of 0. polystigma found in these collections were again females. The data thus obtained (including the live specimens examined) are summarized in Table I. Table I. Distribution of Ochthiphila poly stigma Meigen State or Province Number of females Months in which taken New Hampshire 1 ? Ontario 7 May — Massachusetts 89 June — Sept Connecticut 3 May New YorU 4 Sept. New Jersey 1 Sept. Pennsylvania’ 8 Oct. Maryland 3 Apr. — Aug. Indiana 10 July — Aug. Illinois 3 June Wisconsin 1 July South Dakota 1 June Manitoba 2 July Utah 2 July Holland 2 • June Total 137 Apr. — Oct. iTwo of the specimens from New York and all of those from Pennsylvania were taken by Dr. F. Schrader, and have not been seen by me. Dr. Schrader states that all were females. 24 Psyche [February In the collections of Prof. Aldrich and of the U. S. National Museum are specimens of four other species of Ochthiphila, identified by Coquillett and by Aldrich. These all include males, as will appear from Table II (which also includes 6 European specimens from my own collection). In all four species the males have large conspicuous external claspers, and could not possibly be mistaken for females. This indicates that the failure to find males of 0. polysHgma is not due to failure to recognize them as males. Table II Relative abundance of the sexes in Ochthiphila. Species 9 (f 0. aridella Fallen 11 11 0. elegans Panzer 12 5 0. geniculata Zetterstedt 1 1 0. j uncorum Fallen 5 9 A case very similar to the one just described occurs in Lon- choptera furcata Fallen. It was found by de Meijere (1906) that nearly all individuals of this species were females, and that these did not have sperm in their receptacles. In other Europ- ean species, such as L. lutea Panzer, both sexes occur in nearly equal numbers, and sperm is present in the receptacles. The extreme scarcity of males has been confirmed by Lundbeck (1916) for the European L. furcata, and by Aldrich (1918) for the American forms, which apparently belong to the same species. Aldrich was able to find only two American males of the genus (one from Ontario and one from Colorado), though he recorded 2652 females. I have myself collected numerous American specimens of Lonchoptera, and have examined the material in the American Museum of Natural History. Table III shows the result of this study. The five males that appear in the table, and two of the California females as well, appear to belong to a distinct species; all the others (except perhaps the Colorado female) are almost certainly L. furcata. I have several times obtained eggs from females of this species, and these have hatched into larvae; but in 1923] Probable Occurence of Parthenogenesis in Ochthiphila 25 no case have I been able to rear these larvae, nor have I been able to be sure that the mothers did not contain sperm — though it is extremely unlikely that sperm was present. This obser- vation makes it probable, however, that Lonchoptera reproduces by adult parthenogenesis, rather than by pedogenesis. Table III. Relative abundance of the sexes in Lonchoptera. State or Province New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts New York New Jersey Ontario Pennsylvania District of Columbia North Carolina Wisconsin Colorado Santa Clara Co., California Monterey Co., California Truckee, California Total 9 1 0 1 0 53 0 403 0 53 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 426 0 23 4 344 1 1311 5 Parthenogenesis has been described in the Chironomid genera Chironomus, Corynoneura, and Tanytarsus by Grimm (1870) Johannsen (1912), Goetghebuer (1913), Edwards (1919), and others. Eggs are produced in some cases by the larvae, in others by the pupae, and in still others by the imagines. In all cases in which imagines have been produced by parthenogenetic (in- cluding pedogenetic) lines, these have been females and have bred parthenogenetically if at all. Males are known to occur in these genera, and in one case even in a species that reproduces parthenogenetically; but in no case are males reported as arising from larvae known to have been produced by parthenogenesis. The first case of parthenogenesis recorded among the Diptera was that of the Cecidomyiid, Miastor, discovered by 26 Psyche [February Wagner (1863). In this case it is the larvae that reproduce parthenogenetically. Imagines are not often produced, but when they do appear both sexes are found (Meinert 1864, Wagner 1865, Kahle 1908). Kahle states that there is a significant excess of females, and Felt (1911) describes only the female, though he does not state that males were absent. It is not known whether the imagines breed at all, or not; Kahle states that he did not observe copulation. It does not appear to have been entirely proven that the males arise from larvae that have been produced by pedogenesis, though most students of Miastor have apparently taken this for granted without making cultures from isolated larvae. Parker (1922) has reported a probable case of pedogenesis in the blow-fly, Calliphora erythrocephala Meigen, with the production of male and female imagines in something like equal numbers from isolated individual larvae. Since the actual pro- duction of eggs or larvae was not observed to go on in Parker’s larvae, and since Lowne (1892) and others have dissected large numbers of larvae of this species without finding mature eggs or larvae in them, it seems best to withhold judgment for the present as to the occurrence of pedogenesis in Calliphora, as Parker himself indicates. LITERATURE CITED. Aldrich, J. M. 1918. Notes on Diptera. Psyche 25: 30-35. Edwards, F. W. 1919. Some Parthenogenetic Chironomidae. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 3; 222-228. Felt, E. P. 1911. Miastor americana. An account of pedogenesis. New York State Mus. Bull. 147: 82-104. Goetghebuer, M. 1913. Un cas de parthenogenese observe chez un Diptere Tendipedide {Corynoneura celeripes). Bull. Acad. Roy. Belg. 1913; 231*233. Grimm, O. 1870, Die ungeschlechtliche Fortpflanzung einer Chironomus-Art und derenEntwicklungausdem unbefrucht- eten Ei. Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. St. Petersbourg ser. 7, tome 15. 1923] Probable Occurence of Parthenogenesis in Ochthiphila 27 Johannsen, O. A. 1912. Parthenogenesis and Psedogenesis in Tanytarsus. Maine Agr. Exp. Sta. Bull. 187 ; 3-4. Kahle, W. 1908. Die Padogenesis der Cecidomyiden. Zoologica, Bd. 21, Heft. 55. 80 pp., 6 plates. Lowne, B. T. 1892-1895. The Anatomy, Physiology, Morphology, and Development of the Blow-fly. London. 2 vols., 778 pp Luhdbeck, W. 1916. Lonchoptera. Diptera Danica 5; 1-18. de Meijere, J. C. H. 1906. Die Lonchopteren des palaarktischen Gebietes. Tijd. v. Ent. 49; 44-98. Meinert, F. 1864. Weitere Erlautemngen tlber die von Prof. Nic. Wagner beschriebene Insectenlarve, welche sich durch Sprossenbildung vermehrt. Zeits. wiss. Zool. 14; 394-399. Parker, G. H. 1922. Possible Pedogenesis in the Blow-fly Calliphora erythrocephala. Psyche 29; 127-131. Wagner, N. 1863. Beitrag zur Lehre von der Fortpflanzung der Insect enlarven. Zeits. wiss. Zool. 13; 513-527. Wagner, N. 1865. Ueber die viviparen Galliniickenlarven. Zeits. wiss. Zool, 15; 106-117. 28 Psyche [February PHORTICOLEA BOLIVIA, A NEW MYRMECOPHILOUS COCKROACH FROM SOUTH AMERICA. (Results Mulford Biological Exploration. — Entomology). By a. N. Caudell. Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Among the insects collected in Bolivia by Dr. Wm. M. Mann, entomologist with the Mulford Expedition to South America in 1921-1922, was an apparently undescribed myrme- cophilous cockroach bBlonging to the genus Phorticolea of Bolivar. Although only males were collected there seems to be no doubt that this generic assignment is correct, as the specimens agree in every essential with the characters given for Phorticolea. The size and locality of the new species here described indicate specific distinctness from testacea, the type and only described species of Phorticolea, though the very brief diagnosis of the latter makes comparative characterization impossible. Phorticolea boliviae sp. nov. Description. — Adult male, the opposite sex unknown. General color reddish brown, laterally somewhat darker. Head yellowish with black eyes; vertex evenly convex, not quite con- cealed beneath the pronotal disk; eyes lateral, subreniform, strongly fasceted and almost or quite three times as long ver- tically as broad; interocular space fully twice as great as the vertical length of one of the eyes; labial palpus with the terminal segment large, thick, fusiform, about two and one half times as long as the median width and a little more than twice as long as the proceeding segment, which is triangular in shape. Antenna approximately as long as the insect itself and consisting of at least thirty segments^; first segment noticeably longer than broad and flattened basally; second and third segments subquadrate, each being about, or a little more than half as long and scarcely lOne specimen only cf the three examined has both antennae apparently complete and here consists of thirty segments. The other two specimens have the antennae more or less mutilated. 1923] A New Cockroach from South America 29 as thick as the basal one; fourth to fourteenth segments trans- verse, the fourth to the eleventh or twelfth being two or more times as broad as long, the more basal ones especially broad; fifteenth and sixteenth segments subquadrate and the suc- ceeding ones longer than wide, those towards the apex being twice as long as broad, some of them slightly more. Pronotum about twice as broad as long, broadly rounded anteriorly, truncate posteriorly, the lateral angles rounded and slightly produced posteriorly, as are also those of the meso- and metathorax, which segments are subequal with each other in length and together barely as long as the pronotum. Organs of flight entirely absent. Legs stout; femora fusiform, broad and flattened, the anterior pair somewhat smaller than the others, the intermediate pair about three times as long as the greatest width and the posterior ones a little stouter, being about two and one half times as long as broad; anterior femora armed beneath with a series of fine setiform hairs, the intermediate and posterior ones armed beneath on both margins with a few very minute spinules in the apical portion, so small as to be scarcely noticeable under moderate magnification, a subapical one on each margin being decidedly larger; all the femora have an apical calcar on the cephalic geniculation ; tibiai strongly spinose above, the spines in three series, and beneadh with mostly finer hair-like spinules, a couple of larger ones in the cephalic margin of the intermediate and posterior ones; tarsi slender, the posterior metatarsus barely shorter than the combined length of the rest of the segments; arolia present, of medium size. Abdomen anteriorly about as broad as the posterior width of the metanotum, abruptly narrowing posteriorly and scarcely as long as the combined lengths of the three thoracic segments; there are seven dorsal segments visible exclusive of the supraanal plate; lateral margins straight, the posterio-lateral angles sharp and moderately produced posteriorly; the posterior margins of the segments are subtruncate, that of the one pre- ceeding the supraanal plate concave near each side opposite the insertion of the cerci; supraanal plate somewhat more than twice as broad as long, rather narrowly rounded apically; sub- 30 Psyche [February genital plate broad and rounded apically; cerci short and very broad, tapering from near the base, about twice as long as the greatest width, apically pointed and without distinct segmen- tation; styles simple, about two thirds as long as the cerci, subcylindrical in shape, rather bluntly pointed apically and the whole organ about four times as long as the basal width. The entire insect is beset with short pile, the lateral margins of the abdominal segments, supraanal plate, cerci, styles and legs with stout setae instead of pilose hairs. . Measurements. — Length, entire insect from front of head to tip of abdomen, about 2.7 mm.; pronotum 1 mm.; posterior femora, 1 mm.; posterior tibia, .8 mm,; posterior tarsus, .7 mm.; posterior metatarsus, .3 mm. Width pronotum posteriorly, 1.8 mm.; metanotum posteriorly, 2.1 mm.; posterior femora medially, .3 mm. Type locality. — Cachuela Esperanza, Beni, Bolivia. Described from three males collected in March, 1922, by Dr. Wm. M. Mann in the joint nests of Crematogaster limata var.parahiotica Forel and Camponotus{Myrmothrix)femoratusFsihY. Type and paratypes in U. S. National Museum. Catalogue No. 25757, U. S. N. M. VERBENAPIS - A CORRECTION. In Psyche, vol. 29, p. 162 (August 1922) the name of the genus of bees, Verbenapis is misspelled. Although the error is quite obvious. Professor Cockerell has reminded me that it might receive the attention of nomenclaturists unless corrected. [Editor.] 1923] A Fossil Genus of Dinapsidce from Baltic Amber 31 A FOSSIL GENUS OF DINAPSID^ FROM BALTIC AMBER (HYMENOPTERA) Contribution from the Entomological Laboratory of the Bussey Institution, Harvard University, No. 22C. By Charles T. Brues. A small lot of amber insects which I have had for a number of years contains a very extraordinary hymenopterous insect. Several times I have attempted to locate it in one of the re- cognized families of the order, but I have never been satisfied with the result. It has also been shown to a number of entomolo- gists, none of whom were vv^illing to express any positive opinion concerning its relationships. Several weeks ago it was sent to the hymenopterists of the United States National Museum with a request that they examine it, and I soon received a note from Mr. R. A. Cushman calling my attention to a paper by Dr. James Waterston just received in the current October number of the Annals and Magazine of Natural History wherein he describes an almost exactly similar living insect from South Africa. For the African form Waherston has proposed the genus Dinapsis which he makes the type of a new family, Dinapsidse. He re- gards Dinapsis as more closely related to Megalyra than to any known Hymenoptera and from an examination of the fossil insect it seems that he is quite justified in expressing this opinion. Dinapsis is known only from the female, while the amber species is represented only by the male, but the two differ so clearly in wing venation and in the structure of the head and thorax that they cannot be regarded as congeneric. As the amber insect throws much light on the relationship of Dinapsis, it seems appropriate to describe it immediately after the appearance of Waterston’s paper. Fortunately, the fossil specis is beautifully preserved and I able to give a quite complete description. Prodinapsis gen. nov. cf. General form and size similar to Dinapsis Waterston. Head slightly broader than the thorax, obliquely narrowed 32 Psyche [February behind the eyes which are large and pubescent; occipital margin raised, carinate; posterior orbits with a narrow groove; ocelli in a large triangle; vertex with a fine, but clearly impressed median line. Antennae 14-jointed, filiform, inserted near the cly- peus. Mouthparts not visible. Mesonotum about twice as broad as long; without parapsidal furrows but with a deep, complete, crenulate median furrow; inner angles of axillae not meeting, their edges margined by deeply crenulate grooves and their inner angles connected by a crenulate groove. Propodeum coarsely reticulated and apparently without the more prominent longitudinal carinae present in Dinapsis. Four anterior legs slender, the hind pair stout, with the femora somewhat swollen and the tibiae enlarged apically; tibial spurs very small; hind coxae very large; tarsal claws very small and slender, simple. Abdomen as long as the thorax, elongate oval, with seven nearly equal segments; claspers prominent, projecting downwards and curved forwards, obtusely pointed. Venter convex, the sternites almost as wide as the tergites. Fore wing with a small elongate stigma; subcostal cell broad; radial vein short, curved, leaving the cell widely open; basal half of cubitus present, but the transverse cuoiti and recurrent nervure are wanting; two closed discoidal cells; basal cells indistinctly separated as the separating vein is very weak and delicate; nervulus interstitial. Type: P. succinalis sp. nov. Prodinapsis differs ro m D.napsis most strikingly in having the radial cell inocmplfete, in lacking the transverse cubitus and in possessing two discoidal cells. Also the orbital groove is narrower and the axillae do not meet at their inner angles. Prodinapsis succinalis sp. nov. (Fig. 1). cf. Length 2.7 mm. Probably with the head and meso- notum black, the remainder of the thorax dark brown, the abdomen light brown and the legs piceous on the femora and tibiae; wings hyaline and antennae with no trace of annulation. Head coarsely shagreened, about one-half wider than long; temples two thirds as broad as the eye, occipital groove dis- 1923] A Fossil Genus of Dinapsidce from Baltic Amber 33 tinctly crenulate; posterior ocelli two-thirds as far from the eye as from one another. Antennae (Fig. Ic) slightly longer than the head and thorax; scape stout, curved; pedicel globose or but little elongated; flagellar joints of about equal length, all long and slender (probably the basal joints are slightly longer, but they cannot be viewed exactly in the proper plane). Meso- notum and scutellum shagreened; posterior edge of mesonotum straight, the suture not crenulate. Pleurae and coxae smooth or finely granulate; mesopleura with a crenulate line along the anterior and posterior edges. Abdominal segments of nearly Fig. 1. Prodinapsis succinalis sp. nov. A, wing; B, head and anterior portion of thorax, C, antennae equal length, the second and also the first slightly, but not very noticeably, longer than the others; the posterior edges of the segments sinuous and slightly incised medially. Claspers almost as long as the dorsal length of the sixth segment. Wings ample, the margins with the usual short fringe of hairs, but none of the veins appear to be bristly as in Dinapsis. Venation (Fig. la) 34 Psyche [February rather pale brown, but very distinct, the veins terminating abruptly as indicated; weak apical section of radial vein very indistinct and visible only in certain lights. Type in the Amber collection of the Zoological Museum of the University of Konigsberg. Taken together the two genera exhibit a much closer affinity to Megalyra than is evident from a knowledge of either Dinapsis or Prodinapsis alone. In fact the neuration of Prodinapsis is almost identical to that of Megalyra except that the basal cells are separated by a very heavy vein in the latter and the apical part of the radius, although not vein-like, is indicated by a much more evident thickening. That the unknown female may be provided with a long ovipositor is also probable. The short and complete radial cell and absence of discoidal cells in Dinapsis give the wing a very different appearance, but the almost exactly similar, yet strikingly characteristic cephalic thoracic and ab- dominal structure, shows Dinapsis and Prodinapsis to be very closely related. On account of this similarity to Megalyra, it seems very doubtful whether the Dinapsidse can be retained as a family distinct from the Megalyridse since the differences are of a very minor nature. In both groups the head, antennae, medially grooved meson otum, scutellum with separated axillae, oval sessile abdomen with more or less equal segments, long thread-like ovipositor and wing venation agree closely in form and structure; only the size is different, for Megalyra is a large insect and the other two genera are very small. The actual relationship of the three genera is rather difficult to elucidate, since as already stated Megalyra and Prodinapsis have almost identical wings while Prodinapsis and Dinapsis are almost identical in bodily characters, but each with a wing type that cannot be derived one from the other, nor can both be derived from that of Megalyra. If the three are closely related, as seems undoubted, the ancestral form must have had a body like Dinapsis or Prodinapsis and wings with a marginal, cubital, two basal and two discoidal cells. Such an insect must have been more or less Oryssoid in many somatic and venational 1923] Recent Books 35 characters although perhaps only superficially similar. The median thoracic suture so pronounced in Dinapsis and Prodi- napsis occurs elsewhere, so far as I am aware, only in certain Ceraphronidse, Scelionidse and Belytidae of the Serphoid series where it may or may not be associated with the paired parap- sidal furrows, although a few Bethylidae and the Ampulicidae have a median pronotal (not mesonotal) furrow. In Megalyra it is prominent and undoubtedly homologous to the one in Dinapsis. Recent Books. In these lists are included titles relating entirely or directly to insects, as well as books in the related fields of biology which are of immediate interest to the Entomologist. Folsom, J. W. Entomology, with Special Reference to its Ecological Aspects, pp. 502, extensively illustrated. P. Blakiston’s Son & Co. Philadelphia, 1922. A third edition of this well known and useful text, containing much new material, and needing no introduction to American entomol- ogists. Parker, G. H. Taste, Smell and Allied Senses in the Ver- tebrates. pp. 192, illustrated. J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia $2.50. Relates specifically to the vertebrates from the standpoint of both anatomy and physiology and presents material that the entomologist will find very useful. Rousseau, E. Les larves et nymphes aquatiques des in- SECTES d’Europe. vol. 1, pp. XX 967, 344 figures. J. Lebeque, Brussels. The first volume includes the Rhynchota neuropteroids and Trichoptera. A very complete and well illustrated compendium on the biology, morphology and classification of the aquatic members of these groups, with extensive bibliographical references. 36 Psyche [February B Olivier , E. L. The Physic Life of Insects. English trans- lation by L. O. Howard, pp. XVIt377 New York, The Century Co. Dr. Howard has made available to the English-reading public, in a most excellent translation, Bouvier’s highly enter- taining and stimulating treatment of insect-behavior. Lavier, Geo. Les parasites des invertebres hematophages; PARASITES QUI LEUR SONT PROPRE) PARASITES QU’lLS TRANSMETTENT AUX VERTEBRES. 218 pp. illuS. Paris, Vigot Freres, 1921. A very complete account of the microparasites of blood- sucking insects and of their relations to disease in man and other vertebrates. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CAMBRIDGE ENTOMO- LOGICAL CLUB March 14, 1922, Mr. C. W. Johnson showed a collection of New England Hippoboscidse and gave an account of their habits, classification and distribution. See vol. 39, Nos. 4-6. Mr. W. J. Clench showed the milkweed beetles Tetraopes tetraophthalmus and canteriator and a supposed hybrid between them. Prof. W. M. Wheeler told about a mass of saw-fly larvae, which he had observed in South America, moving slowly through the wet grass like a single animal. Mr. C. W. Johnson called attention to a similar habit in the dipterous genus Sciara in . which the larvae cluster together in a long narrow mass which moves along like a worm. See vol. 29, Nos. 4-6. April 11, 1922. Mr. F. Waldo Dodge showed a collection of over a hundred species of the coleopterous family Tenebrionidae. He also gave an account of the common species of Coccinella, illustrated by drawings. 1923] Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club 37 Several members discussed the food-habits of Dragon-flies. Mr. Frost said that while collecting he had been protected from mosquitoes by Dragon-flies as long as he remained in sunshine, Mr. Dodge described the catching of Cicindela by Dragon-flies; he said the beetle could defend itself by standing on end and offering only its head and mandibles to attack. Mr. Roland Hussey gave an account of the hemipterous bugs of the genus Triatoma. See Psyche Vol. 29 No. 3. Mr. C. W. Johnson described a Tipula from Mt. Washington in which the venation of the wings differed on the two sides in ways previously considered characteristic of different species. The committee on public lectures reported that six lectures had been given as follows : February 18. L. O. Howard. On the work of the Bureau of Entomology with special reference to the Gipsy Moth and other injurious insects of local interest. February 25. Wm. T. M. Forbes. On the Butterflies and Moths. March 4. J. Chester Bradley. On Some Habits of Wasps and their relatives. March 11. C. T. Brues. On Mosquitoes and other insects as carriers of disease. March 18. Miss Edith M. Patch. On the Seven Lives of an Elm Aphis, Erisoma lanigerum. March 25. J. H. Emerton. On the Spiders, their structure, habits and relations to Insects. The lectures were fully illustrated by lantern slides and by the new motion-pictures of insects of the Society for Visual Education. Audiences of about one hundred persons attended and paid half the expense of the course, the rest being met by subscription among members of the Club. May 9, 1922 Prof. W. M. Wheeler read a paper on the distribution of the genus Formica in the tropics. See Psyche Vol. 29 Nos. 4. Mr. C. W. Johnson described two new dipterous flies from Mt. Desert, Maine and other New England localities. Mr. R. H. Howe, Jr., remarked on recent collections of Dragon-flies, especially the formerly rare Williamsonia lintneri, several of which have lately been taken near Boston. 38 Pyyche [February Miss Butler exhibited an unidentified larva found in Michigan in considerable numbers among eggs of Tabannus flies on leaves of Typho. latifolia. June 13, 1922 Mr. Denton showed May-fiies found in great numbers near ponds and collected by handfuls beneath the hood of his automobile. Mr. C. A. Frost showed recently collected Coleoptera. Prof. Brues gave some notes on food plants of the Colorado potato-beetle, especially Solatium rostratum. Prof. W. M. Wheeler showed some wingless Hymenoptera of the genus Scleroderma from Texas which feed on soft larvae of any kind, raise a brood in a month’s time and can be kept in confinement. It has winged and wingless forms of both sexes and appears to be an attractive subject for genetic studies September 12, 1922 Mr. O. E. Plath gave an account of his observations on Bumblebees begun in 1921 and continued through the summer of 1922, during which time thirty-seven colonies were kept in boxes and watched through the season. In most of the nests Atherophagus beetles were found, some- times attached to the feet or antennae of bees. Chelifers were found in considerable numbers in one nest. The parasitic bees, Psithyrus, were found in several nests and new observations made on their habits and relations to their hosts. See vol. 29, Nos. 4-6. October 10, 1922 the list of members was read and corrected. The death was announced of Laurence R. Reynolds, Vice- president of the Club, and a well known student of the Coleoptera. He had been on a collecting trip to the West Indies and Vene- zuela from which he returned in poor health and died in Boston, October 9. Mr. C. W. Johnson gave an account of his summer collecting at Mt. Desert in June and again in September and at the Rangeley Lakes, Maine. Mr. Johnson also discussed a collection of insects made by Owen Bryant in Vermont near Mt. Mansfield. Mr. J. H. Emerton spoke of his collecting in July in 1923] Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club 39 eastern Maine where successful photographs were made of the webs of Theridion zelotypu7n, a spruce-forest spider, and where Leinyphia nearctica had been found in a bog at South Gouldsboro fifty miles fether south than any previous record. November 14. 1922 Dr. J. W. Chapman, who had returned from six years residence in the Phillippines, read a paper by himself and Prof. Wheeler on the mating of ants of the genus Diacamma of which no winged females are known. See vol. 29, Nos. 4-6. Dr. Chapman afterwards showed some lantern slides and gave an account of the country near Dumaguete where he had been living. Mr. C. W. Johnson gave an account of the recent occur- rence in large numbers of the European fly Muscina pascuorum which had been reported at various places in the eastern United States. See vol. 30, No. 1. Prof. C. R. Crosby of Cornell University told about the Extension Entomological work in New York State by which entomologists of the State College of Agriculture are kept in touch with farmers, information in regard to injurious insects collected and remedies recommended. December 12, 1922 Dr. Alice M. Boring of Wellesley College read a paper on the chromosomes in the germ cells of the two varieties of the frog-hopper, Monecphora bicincta. No differences were found. HAVE THE FOLLOWING ENTOMOLOGICAL LITERATURE FOR SALE OR EXCHANGE. Complete with index and unless otherwise noted: Journal Economic Entomology, I to VII . Pomona College Journal Entomology, I to IV. Psyche, VI and VII, bound 2 vols. 3-4 leather. Proceedings Entomological Society Washington, XVII to XIX and XX except index. Journal Economic Biology (London) VI. Entomologists, Monthly Magazine XXH. Zeitschrift far'wissenschaftliche Insektenbiologie VIII and IX. Review Applied Entomology Ser. A and B, IV and V, VI except index. Insect Life III. Need American Entomologist HI (N. S. I) No. 12; Bulletin Brooklyn Entomological Society VI, VIII, IX and X No. 2 and index; Ann, Repts. Entomological Society Ontario, II, III, IV, IX; Entomologica Americana, VI; U. S. D. A. Bureau of Entomology bulletins old series 2, 3, 9, 20, 23. Address DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY, OREGON AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE, CORVALLIS, OREGON 500 Pin Labels all alike, 50 Gents. 1000 Pin-Labels all alike, 80 Gents. Smallest Type. Pure White Ledger Paper. Not over 4 Lines nor 30 Characters (13 to a line) Additional Characters, 2 cents each, in total and per line, per 500. Trimmed. Prices subject to change without notice. G. V. BLAGKBURN, 30 South St., STONEHAM 80, MASS., U. S. A. CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB A regular meeting of the Club is held on the second Tuesday of each month (July, August and September excepted) at 7.45 p. m. at the Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston. The Bussey Institution is one block from the Forest Hills station of both the elevated street cars and the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Entomolo- gists visiting Boston are cordially invited to attend. We are the Headquarters for Entomological Sup- plies and Specimens. Special attention |is called to our hand made Schmitt boxes American Ent. Go. Steel Pins, Klaeger Pins, Life Histories of Beneficial and Injurious Insects, Type, Mimicry and Protective Coloration Gollections; also Gol- lections of Household, Garden, Orchard, Forest and Shade Tree Pests. Living Pupae from November to March. Exotic Insects of different orders; also Biological material for dissection. Catalogue No. 33, Entomological Supplies, free on application. WARD’S NATURAL SGIENGE ESTABLISHMENT 84-102 College Ave., Rochester, N. Y. PSYCHE A JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY Established in 1874 VOL. XXX APRIL, 1923 NO. 2 CONTENTS Observations on the Feeding Habits of Robber Flies. Part I. Procta- canthus rufus Will, and P. hrevipennis Wied. S. M. Bromley^ 41 Notes on the EHpterous Family Cyrtidae. F. R. Cole 46 New Species of North American Cyrtidae. C. W. Johnson 49 The Zoological Record 51 North American Dixidae. 0. A. Johannsen 52 Two New Species of Phoridae from Baltic Amber. C. T. Brues. 59 New Species of North American Dolichopodidae. M. C. Van Duzee.^ 63 Notes on Sinea diadema (Fabr.); Hemiptera. G. W. Barber, 74 New Saw-flies, Hymenoptera, from Oregon. A. D. MacGillivray. 77 Two New Mississippi Ants of the Subgenus Colobopsis. M. R. Smith. 82 The Varieties of Monecphora bicincta from the Point of View of a Cytologist. A. M. Boring 89 Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club 93 CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB President . Vice-President Secretary . Treasurer . ^ Executive Committee OFFICERS FOR 1923 A. P. Morse R. H. Howe, Jr. J. H. Emerton . F. H. Walker . C. W. Johnson, Miss E. P. Butler O. E. Plate EDITORIAL BOARD OF PSYCHE EDITOR-IN-GHIEF C. T. Brues, Harvard University ASSOCIATE EDITORS C. W. Johnson, Nathan Banks, Boston Society of Natural History. Harvard University A. L. Melander, a. P. Morse, Washington State College. Peabody Museum. J. H. Emerton, J. G. Needham, Boston, Mass. Cornell University. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University. PSYCHE is published bi-monthly, the issues appearing in February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription price, per year, payable in advance: $2.00 to subscribers in the United States, Canada or Mexico; foreign postage, 15 cents extra. Single copies, 40 cents. Cheques and remittances should be addressed to Treasurer, Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Orders for back volumes, missing numbers, notices of change of address, etc., should be sent to Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. Manuscripts intended for publication, books intended for review, and other editorial matter, should be addressed to Professor C. T. Brues, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Authors contributing articles over 8 printed pages in length will be required to bear a part of the extra, expense for additional pages. This expense will be that of typesetting only, which is about $2.00 per page. The actual cost of preparing cuts for all illustrations must be borne by contributors: the expense for full page plates from line drawings is approximately $5.00 each, and for full page half-tones, $7.50 each; smaller sizes in proportion. AUTHOR’S SEPARATES. Reprints of articles may be secured by authors, if they are ordered before, or at the time proofs are received for corrections. The cost of these will be furnished by the Editor on appli- cation. Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Boston, Mass. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on June 29^ PSYCHE VOL. XXX. APRIL 1923 No. 2 OBSERVATIONS ON THE FEEDING HABITS OF ROBBER FLIES. PART I. PROCTACANTHUS RUFUS WILL. AND P. BREVI- PENNIS WIED. By S. W. Bromley. Massachusetts Agricultural College, Amherst, Mass. One of the characteristic insects of the sandy plains along the Quinnipiac river in southern Connecticut during the hot sunny days of July is the large and handsomely-colored robber- fly, Proctacanthus rufus Will. Its rusty-orange abdomen and swift, undulating flight as it starts up in advance of the collector make it very conspicuous. The frequency with which one is seen bearing away some large insect that it has captured in- vites attention to what particular species are being taken. The flies are very active and hard to approach, taking wing at the slightest movement and flying long distances before a- gain alighting. In fact, the only times that they are at all easily captured is when they are encumbered with prey, and even then they are very wary and when disturbed carry such large prey as Polistes several rods before they again settle down. Because of these habits, it was very exasperating to stalk an individual over the hot sands only to have the specimen take flight just as the net was poised for the stroke. Of the prey taken, all were of the order Hymenoptera. I did not see them attack species of any other order, although it is probable that they would capture Hymenoptera-resembling Diptera if opportunity offered. No attention was paid by them to the Lepidoptera and Odonata that occasionally drifted over the sands. 42 Psyche [April For aid in determining the species recorded, both from P. rufus and P. hrevipennis, I wish especially to thank Dr. W. E. Britton of the Conn. Exp. Station who allowed me access to the Station collection, and to Dr. H. T. Fernald for the use of the Massachusetts Experiment Station collection. The insects taken from P. rufus are as follows: Sex of Fly Date Locality Prey 1. 9 July 2, ’22 Hampden, Conn. Vespa vidua Sauss. (queen) 2. 9 u Pohstes variatus Cresson. (worker) 3. 9 U Apis mellifera L. (worker) 4. 9 July 8, ’22 Polistes pallipes LePel. (worker) 5. 9 a u u 6. cy Apis mellifera L. (worker) 7. 9 a ‘ U 8. 9 “ 9. u ii 10. 9 u a 11. 9 a u 12. c7 u u u 13. 9 u u 14. 9 u (( u 15. 9 u 16. 9 iC Pompiloides tropicus L. 9 17. 9 July 16, ’22 Wallingford, Conn. U Apis mellifera L. (worker) 18. 9 U U 19. 9 u 20. c7 u Polistes pallipes LePel. (worker) 21. 9 u u Microhembex monodonta Say. 9 22. Tiphia inornata Say. 9 23. 9 u u a 24. c7 u Elis interrupta Say. c7 25. u u Amhlyteles rufiventris Brulle. 26. c7 u Hemipogonius sp? 9 Summarized Table of Prey Hymenoptera. 14 Apis mellifera L. 3 Polistes pallipes Le Pel. 2 Tiphia inornata Say. 1 Vespa vidua Sauss. 1 Polistes variatus Cresson. 1 Elis interrupta Say. 1 Pompiloides tropicus L. 1 Hemipogonius sp? 1 Microhembex monodonta Say. 1 Amhlyteles rufiventris Brulle. 1923] Observations on the Feeding Habits of Robber Flies 43 From this may be seen that over 50% of the prey taken from the flies consisted of honey-bee workers. The explanation of the presence of so many bees in such an uninviting environment as these sand areas is this: beyond the western edges of the fields where I made these observations were banks of sumac to and from which the bees were continually streaming, many taking their course over the sand plains not more than ten or fifteen feet from the ground. It was from these that the robber-flies took heavy toll. Where the flies were most abundant I often saw one sweep upward and grasp a bee, only to fly so far with its prey as I approached that I was unable to locate it and obtain the record. Several honey-bees that were taken from the flies were after- wards dissected and examined by Mr. R. E. Snodgrass of the Bureau of Entomology, with whom I was staying at the time, and myself. A specimen that the fly had dropped because it had consumed all parts possible was found to be nothing but an empty shell. Nearly all of the digestive, nervous, and mus- cular systems had been dissolved, probably by the introduction of an enzyme, and sucked out. The poison sac was intact, as was the tracheal system and all chitinized portions. A bit of the small intestine and unrecognizable pieces of other organs remained in the body cavity, but most of the internal struc- tures were gone. Examination of others in different stages of consumption showed the muscle tissue of the thorax reduced to a shredded mass and the muscles and brain in the head-capsule disintegrated. Whether or not this was accomplished by an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands, I do not know. Further work might determine this point. An interesting point noted in watching the flies was the fact that although P sammocharids were the predominating and most conspicuous hymenopterous insects flying over the plains, the flies seemed to have trouble in capturing these. I watched them dart at these wasps on several occasions but the wasps eluded them by dropping to the ground and running through clumps of bunch-grass. They are occasionally captured, how- ever, and I was able to take the flies preying upon Psammo- 44 Psyche [April charids in two instances, as shown by the list, but I never had the good fortune of seeing any in the act of capturing the wasps. Females of P. rufus were watched for oviposition habits. No attempts were seen to be made, but empty pupa cases were seen protruding from the sand. These, because of their size, were evidently of this species, indicating the underground life of the immature stages. Recently, through the kindness of Mr. Nathan Banks, I was allowed to examine the collection at the M. C. Z. where two records of this species with prey were obtained. 9P. rufus: prey, PoUstes sp? Woods Hole, Mass., VII, 19, 1893. A. P. Morse, Coll. 9 P. rufus: prey, Bremus sp?cf West Springfield, Mass., VII, 26, 1915. H. E. Smith, Coll. Proctacaiithus rufus seems to be restricted to sandy areas such as those above mentioned and I have never taken it in the fields and pastures frequented by P. philadelphicus except those in the immediate vicinity of the sand areas. That the insect is not more widely spread is a fortunate thing for bee-keepers. Another Asilid found in the same sandy areas as the above but less conspicuous and active is Proctacanthus hrevipennis Wied. This belongs to the same genus but is smaller and more of the color of the sand on which it alights. I found it to be far less abundant than its larger relative in the area studied. It will be seen from the list of prey that the type of insects captured by this species is quite different from that taken by by the last. Flere half the species recorded were specimens of the beetle Anomalalucicola Fob. which is common on the sand fields and captured during flight, as is the case of all prey taken. The list of insects taken from P. hrevipennis is as follows: Sex of Fly Date Locality Prey 1. 9 July 8, ’22 Hampden, Conn. Anomala lucicola Fab. 2. 9 a U 3. 9 luly 16, ’22 Wallingford, Conn. Formica fusca varPcf 4. 9 U Anomala lucicola Fab. 5. 9 u u Zelus exsanguis Stab 9 6. cf Tilly 23. ’22 Sarcophaga sp? 1923] Observations on the Feeding Habits of Robber Flies. 45 McAtee and Banks in their paper on the Asilidae of the District of Columbia (Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington, vol. 22. p, 26) record P. brevipennis as feeding upon Anomala sp. This fly evidently has a predilection for this genus of beetles. Most of the prey from both species were taken from fe- males, as one would naturally expect to be the case in preda- cious insects, for they are larger and more powerful than the males and require more stored-up energy for the discharge of of their sexual functions. Summarized Table of Prey. Coleoptera 3 Anomala lucicola Fab. Hymenoptera 1 Formica fusca var? Diptera 1 Sarcophaga sp? Hemiptera 1 Zelus exsanguis Stal. Psyche 46 [April NOTES ON THE DIPTEROUS FAMILY CYRTIDiE. By F. R. Cole. Stanford University, California. In 1919 the writer published a revision of the Cyrtidae of North America (Trans. American Ent. Soc., XLV, 1-79). There are some mistakes and omissions in this paper which should be corrected and some notes have accumulated on various species of the group. Eulonchus marginatus 0. S. There are two specimens of this apparently rare species in the collection of the California Academy of Sciences, taken at Sobre Vista, Sonoma Co., Cal., May 8 (Kusche). Ocncea helluo O. S. A specimen taken at College Station, Texas, was sent to the writer by Mr. H. J. Reinhard. It is 12.5 mm. in length and answers the original description in most res- pects; it differs in that all the longitudinal veins reach the wing margin. In each wing there is an adventitous cross-vein in cell M-3, one in cell 1st R-5 in one wing and one in cell R-1 in both wings (see fig. 1). Acrocera liturata Will. The writer has one specimen taken at Los Gatos, Cal., June 20, 1917. This is a female with very little black at the base of the scutellum. There is more yellow on the abdomen than in the typical description. The species is evidently quite variable in coloration. Length 3 mm. 1923] Notes on the Dipterous Family Cyrtidce 47 Acrocera hubhardi Cole. There are several specimens of this species in the collection of the Calif. Acad, of Sciences and most of them are typical. Specimens taken at Crystal Lakes, San Mateo Co., Cal., June 25, 1916 (E. P. Van Duzee) have the scutellum entirely black and less yellow on the abdomen than in the typical specimens; vein R-1 is brown, the rest of the wing veins yellow, including the costa, the membrane hyaline. Other specimens were taken at Sisson, July 25 (E. P. Van Duzee), Santa Cruz, June 8 (Giffard) and Oakland, August, 1905 (E. P. Van Duzee), all in California. 0 geodes alhicinctus Cole new name for 0. marginatus Cole which is preoccupied by 0. marginatus Meigen, a synonym of 0. pallipes Latreille. The length, omitted in the original des- cription, is 4-4.5 mm. A series of specimens received from Mr. B. C. Cain, taken at Brentwood Lodge, Bear Lake Co., Idaho, Jul}^ 17, 1920, probably belong here but are not quite typical, the pile of the thorax not being unusually long; the femora are yellow on less than the apical third. The genitalia are distinct from 0. costatus, but no males of melampus were available for comparison. Ogcodes alhiventris Johnson. There is a male specimen in the collection of the Cal. Acad, of Sciences, taken at Livermore, Cal., August 1904 (F. X. Williams). The abdomen is largely white; the first segment of the abdomen has a large basal black spot, separated from the posterior margin by the white border; the second, third and fourth tergites have a narrow, transverse black band at the base and one of about equal size near the posterior margin, a black mark connects the bands on the second and third segments; the fifth segment has a narrow anterior and posterior black margin, the latter interrupted in the middle and not quite reaching the posterior margin. The venter differs from the typical description in having a basal black band on sternites 1, 4 and 5, a small round spot on each side on the second and third sternites. The length is 5.25 mm. The sex of the type is not given and the differences in color may be due to a difference in sex. 48 Psyche [April Ogcodes rufoahdominalis Cole. The length was omitted in the original description and should be 4.25-5.5 mm. Specimens of this species were kindly loaned by Mr. McAtee from the col- lection of the U. S. Biological Survey. The black on the abdomen of one male was reduced to a basal triangle on the second, third and fourth tergites, the incisures yellowish; there was a basal blackish brown band on the second sternite. Two males were taken at Bear River, Utah, June 17, 1915 (A. K. Fisher) and one at the same place July 11, 1915 by A. W. Wetmore. One female I make a neotype and describe below. Female. The black color more suffused, the general color amber, with markings indistinct. Like the male in most res- pects, the wings larger and more infuscated. The squamae faintly infuscated. The tarsi blackish brown. Length 5 mm. Neotype, female, in the collection of the U. S. Biological Survey, taken at the mouth of the Bear River, Utah, July 11, 1915 (A. W. Wetmore). This species is related to Ogcodes varius Latreille, judging from a specimen of 0. varius in the writer’s collection from the sandy steppes of Hungary. Ogcodes pallidipennis Loew. One small specimen, 3 mm. in length, taken by the writer in Mill Creek Canyon, San Bernar- dino Co. Cal. The specimen was sitting on a rock in the bright sunlight. The length of Ogcodes borealis Cole and 0. niger Cole was omitted in the original description; it is about 5 mm. in both species. 1923] New Species of North American Cyrtidce. 49 NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN CYRTIDAE By Charles W. Johnson. Boston Society of Natural History. Acrocera stansburyi sp. nov. cf 9 Head black, occiput with whitish tomentum, antennae yellow. Thorax yellow with three broad narrowly separated black stripes (in two specimens, male and female, the stripes are fused, forming a large trilobed mark), the dorsal stripe is truncate behind at a line corresponding with the base of the wings, the lateral stripes are truncate in front at about the middle of the dorsal stripe, becoming gradually narrower behind and reaching the post-alar callosities, tomentum whitish, pleura on the upper half yellow, with large, irregular, black spots, which are connected with the black of the lower half, humeri and post- alar callosities whitish, scutellum yellow, metanotum black. Abdomen yellow, the second segment is margined anteriorly with black expanding centrally and forming a dorsal triangle, a small dorsal triangle is also present at the base of the third and the fourth, with a small spot usually present on the side of the third, in one specimen there is a narrow margin similar to that on the second segment, ventral segments blackish margined with yellow. Legs white, coxae yellow, tips of the tarsi and claws black. Wings hyaline, venation as in 0. liturata Will., squamae white, halteres yellow. Length, 3mm. Eight specimens, Stansbury Island, Great Salt Lake, Utah, July 13, 1913 (Hagan and Titus). Holotype and three par- atypes in the author’s collection. Two paratypes in the col- lection of Mr. H. R. Hagan, one in the Museum of Compara- tive Zoology, and one in the U. S. National Museum. I had referred this to A. liturata, but it is evidently quite different, as indicated by the thoracic and abdominal mark- ings and the color of the scutellum. At the request of Mr. Hagon I am dedicating it to Howard Stansbury, who made and elabo- rate survey of Great Salt Lake and vicinity in 1849 and 1850. 50 Psyche Ocnaea auripllosa sp. nov. [April 9 Head black, eyes hairy, antennae brown, second joint about one half the length of the first (third joint wanting). Thorax, including the pleura and scutellum honey-yellow, shin- ing and covered with quite thick yellow pile, humeri promi- nent and lighter than the disc of the thorax, behind the shoulder is a whitish stigma, narrowly margined with black, sternum black. Abdomen bright orange-yellow, with short golden pile; the segments have the following blue-black markings, — a spot in the middle of the first, a triangle at the base of the second and third, a square occupying the middle half of the fifth and all of the sixth segment except a narrow margin, venter yellow. Legs yellow with yellow pile, tips of the tarsi dark brown, claws black. Wings hyaline, veins yellow, squamae white margined with black and fringed with yellow hairs; the first posterior cell is closed and petiolate. Length 11mm., the abdomen is about double the width of the thorax. One specimen, Tucson, Arizona, March 16, 1916 (J. F. Tuck- er). Type in the author’s collection. It agrees somewhat with O.micans Erichson, but its yellow not ‘‘fuscous” color, the blue- black abdominal markings and larger size separate it from that species. Ogocodes vittatus sp. nov. 9 Head black, antennae dark brown. Thorax reddish brown, with three broad black stripes, the lateral stripes ab- breviated anteriorly and the dorsal stripe obsolete posteriorly, humeri, post-alar callosities, metanotum, and upper parts of the pleura yellow, a blackish spot in front of the base of the wing, and the lower part of the pleura shining black, scutellum black, the base brownish on the sides. Abdomen black, shining, with the posterior margins of the segments narrowly edged with yellow, venter yellow. Legs brownish, the knees yellow, the posterior tibiae and tarsi black. Wings and squamae light brown, veins dark brown, knobs of the halteres blackish, stems yellow. Length 4.5mm. 1923] New Species of North American Cyrtidce 51 One specimen, Middlesex County, New Jersey, May 19, (Harry B. Weiss)'. Type in the author’s collection. This is readily separated from all the described species by its striped thorax. The Zoological Recokd. The attention of Entomologists thoughout the world is called to the fact that, beginning with the Volume for 1922, the preparation of the ‘Tnsecta” part of the ‘‘Zoological Record,” is being undertaken by the Imperial Bureau of Entomology. In order that the Record may be as complete as it is possible to make it, all authors of entomological papers, especially of sys- tematic ones, are requested to send separata of their papers to the Bureau. These are particularly desired in cases where the original journal is one that is not primarily devoted to entomology All separata should be addressed to: — The Assistant Director, Imperial Bureau of Entomology, 41, Queen’s Gate, London, S. W. 7, England, 52 Psyche [April NORTH AMERICAN DIXIDJE. By 0. A. JOHANNSEN. Cornell Universty, Ithaca, N. Y. Some years ago I published a key to the species of Dixa (Bull. New York State Museum, 68:431, 1903) based largely on the color characters given in the descriptions. Through the kindness of Mr. Nathan Banks I have recently had the oppor- tunity to compare my specimens with the Loew types in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, and now offer a new table which includes three new species. A study of a series of specimens collected at the same time and place, having similar color characters, and an identical type of hypopyguim, therefore presumably one species, shows that the venation of the wings in this genus is subject to some variation, for which allowance must be made in identification. The length of the fork of the media is particularly variable. In one wing of one of the type specimens of D. fusca Lw. the petiole and the fork are nearly subequal in length while in the other wing of this specimen and in both wings of the second specimen the petiole is noticeably longer than the anterior branch of the fork. In D. cornuta described below, a species having a very characteristically formed clasper, the variation in the proportions is even greater. Key to species of Dixa. a. Costal half of the wing distinctly smoky; a dark spot at the apex of Cu 2; proboscis and scutellum yellow; knob of halteres black. D. C marginata Lw. aa. Costal part of the wing not distinctly differentiated in color, b. Tips of the hind tibise noticeably enlarged, deep black, sharply contrasting with the remainder of the member; wing veins with clouded margins; proboscis black; hal- teres yellowish; scutellum fuscous testaceous; terminal clasper segment tapering, mesal process of the basal seg- ment simple, elongate. (fig. 2)Me., Mass., N.Y, clavata Lw. 1923] North American Dixidce 53 bb. Tips of hind tibiae not so sharply differentiated. c. Petiole of R2+3 (measured on a straight line from its base to base of fork), less th'an ^ as long as R3; pro- boscis, scutellum, and knob of the halteres yellow; crossvein of wing very feebly clouded; r-m crossvein slightly distad of the base of R4+5. N. Y., terna Lw. cc. With other characters. d. Wing with one or more spots, e. The space between the bases of the cubitus and anal vein, between the branches of the cubitus, and the basal part of the anal lobe inf uscated; terminal clasper segment triangular, mesal process of basal segment forked (fig. 1), calif ornica n. sp. ee. With but a single, rather distinct spot on the wing, f. Petiole of R 2-|-3 and R3 subequal in length, wing spot very distinct, veins strongly marked; pro- boscis and scutellum blackish; halteres sordidly yellow; terminal clasper segment not tapering, truncate apically, mesal process of basal segment forked (fig 6). Me., N. Y. centralis Lw. ff. Petiole shorter; proboscis, scutellum, and halteres yellow, N. J.; Md. . . . notata Lw. dd. Wing spot very indistinct or wanting, e. The r-m crossvein is situated slightly proximad of the base of R4-1-5 thus intersecting the petiole of the radial sector; Sc endsopposite the base of Rs. St. Vincent Is. calvula Will, ee. The r-m cross vein is situated at or slightly distad of the base of R4+5 thus connecting this vein with the media. f . Dorsum of the thorax yellowish with thoracic darker stripes which may be more or less confluent; palpi dark. g. Proboscis yellow; scutellum and halteres black- ish; wing veins strongly marked, subcosta ends opposite to base of Rs; thoracic stripes black and more or less confluent, large part of the pleura yellow. Texas . venosa Lw. 54 Psyche [April gg. Proboscis dark; scutellum yellowish ; wing veins not unusually pronounced ; intervals between the thoracic stripes yellow, h. Fore basitarsus about 2/ 3 as long as the tibia; Sc ends proximad of the base of Rs ; knob of the halteres dark; basal segment of the clas- per of the male with a black, ventrad pro- jecting, and much curved mesal process (fig. 4). N. Y. . . cornuta n. sp. hh. F ore basitarsus about 3/ 4 as long as the tibia. i. Apical segment of the clasper of the male fully as broad beyond the middle as at the base (fig. 3) ; Sc ends about opposite the base of Rs; distance between the crossveins meas- ured on the media usually not exceeding 1/2 the length of the m-cu crossvein. N.Y., N. C., Cal. . . modesta Joh. ii. Apical segment of the clasper tapering (fig. 7) ; Sc ends distinctly proximad of the base of Rs; distance between the crossveins about equal to the length of the m-cu crossvein. N. Y. . . . similis n. sp. ff. Dorsum of the thorax as well as the upper part of the pleura, black; proboscis, halteres and scutel- lum dark; Sc ends opposite the base of the radial sector. N. Y. . . . fusca Lw. Dixa californica sp. nov. Male. Head black, proboscis, palpi, and flagellum of antennae brown, basal antennal segments light brownish. Dorsum of the thorax and upper part of the pleura, yellow; dorsal stripes rich dark brown, nearly confluent, laterals anteriorly, median one posteriorly abbreviated; scutellum, metanotum, and larger part of pleura brown. Abodmen black; the mesal process of the basal clasper segment forked; the apical segment in ventro-lateral aspect more or less triangular, apically with acute angle, mesally with a number of stout black setae (fig. 1). 1923] North American Dixidce 55 Legs yellowish brown, becoming darker towards their extremi- ties; tips of femora and of tibiae darker; coxae yellow; fore barsitarsus nearly 7/8 as long as the tibia. Wings grayish hyaline, a distinct cloud covering the r-m crossvein extending up on the petiole of R2+3; space between the petiole of the cubitus and the anal vein, between the branches of the cubitus, and basal part of the anal angle more or less infuscated; veins yellowish brown; Sc ends opposite the base of Rs, petiole of R2+3 (measur- ed on a straight line from its base to base of fork) .64 as long as R3, petiole of the media measured from the crossvein 1.3 as long as Ml -1-2, the distance between the cross veins 2/3 as long as the m-cu crossvein. Halteres brownish with yellow peduncle. Length 2.5 mm. Type in my collection. Stanford University, Cal., March. Fig. 1. Claspers of males. Figs. 1, 3, 7 are in ventro-lateral aspect; 2, 4, 6 in ventral aspect . 1. D. californica. 2. D. clavata. 3. D. modesta. 4. D. cornuta. 6. D. centralis. 7. D. Similis. 5. Wing of male D. modesta. Dixa cornuta sp. nov. Male. Head, including proboscis, palpi and antennae, brown, front shining. Thorax, including scutellum, brownish yellow, with three dull, dark brown lines, the middle one divided by a 56 Psyche [April hair line, the laterals abbreviated anteriorly; metanotum and sternopleura pale brown. Abdomen blackish; the basal segment of the clasper yellow, moderately swollen, with a black, elongate, ventrad projecting and much curved mesal horn-like process; terminal segment of clasper viewed from the ventral side elon- gate as shown in fig. 4 with rows of ventro-mesal black spines; when viewed from the side, quadrangular, shaped somewhat like that of D. calif ornica (fig. 1) but with the mesal angle much truncated and more spinous. Legs brownish yellow, extreme tips of tibiae and of tarsi darker, the hind tibiae distinctly swollen at tip; fore basitarsus about 2/3 as long as the corresponding tibia. Wings hyaline, very faintly cinereous, veins yellowish, crossveins not clouded; Sc ends slightly before base of Rs; petiole of R2-1-3 (measured on a straight line from its base to base of fork) about 0.4 as long as R3; petiole of the media measured from the crossvein, about 1.12 as long as Ml +2. Halteres dark with yellow peduncle. Length 2.5 mm. Holo- type in my collbction. McLean, N. Y. October. Female. In coloring like the male. Allotype in my collec- tion. Ithaca, N. Y. August. Paratypes from Ithaca, N. Y., October, and from Orono, Me., June. In the Cornell University Collection and in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Cambridge, Mass. The coloring is rather constant, except in teneral speci- mens. In the paratypes the venation is rather variable. The ratio measurement, as defined above for the radius, ranges from .36 to .50 in male specimens while the ratio measurements of the media ranges between 1.12 and 2.1. The distance between the bases of the crossveins measured along the media, is in most cases nearly equal to the length of the m-cu crossvein. The fore tibia-tarsus ratio ranges between .61 and .71, with an average of .65. Dixa modesta Joh. Too hastily, in the Entomological News (14:302), I de- clared this species to be the same as D. clavula Will. A careful examination of a co-type specimen of Williston’s species shows 1923] North American Dixidoe 57 modesta to be quite distinct, as indicated sufficiently in the key. To my original description may be added that Sc ends about opposite or slightly beyond, or at most but slightly proximad of the base of the radial sector (fig. 5) ; the petiole of R2 +3 (measur- ed in a straight line) is about .55 as long as R3; the petiole of the media, measured from the crossvein, about equal to Ml +2; the distance between crossveins along the media less than 1/2 as long as the m-cu crossvein. In the western specimen there is a very faint suggestion of a cloud on the r-m crossvein. The fore basitarsus is about 3/ 4 as long as the tibia. The basal clasper segment is somewhat enlarged, mesal process short with some stout apical setae; apical segment broadest beyond the middle when viewed from the side, thence tapering to the tip; viewed more ventrally the sides are more or less parallel (fig. 3) . Specimens from Ithaca N. Y., April, May; Black Mts., N. C. May; and S. Jacinto Pk., Cal., August. Type in my col- lection. Dixa similis sp. nov. Closely resembling D. modesta, differing chiefly in the characters given in the key. Male. Head including proboscis, palpi, and antennae, brown; front shining. Thorax including scutellum, yellow, with three dull dark brown stripes, the middle one divided by a hair line, the laterals abbreviated anteriorly; metanotum and lower part of the pleura brown. Abdomen brown, including the glo- bose basal segment of the clasper whose mesal process is simple and provided with a few stout apical setae (fig. 7); terminal segment rather tapering when viewed more or less from the side. Legs yellow, tarsi and tips of hind tibiae a little darker; fore basitarsus about 3/ 4 as long as the corresponding tibia. Wings hyaline, very faintly cinereous, veins yellowish, crossvein not clouded; Sc ends in the costa at least the length of the r-m cross- vein proximad of the base of the radial sector, the distance be- tween the crossveins measured along the media about equal to the length of the m-cu cross vein; petiole of R2-f3 (measured in 58 Psyche [April a straight line from its base to the base of the fork) about .55 as long as R3; petiole of the media measured from the cross- vein about 1.25 as long as Ml +2. Halteres yellow. Tenght, 2.5 mm. Holotype in my collection. Ithaca, N. Y., August. Female. In coloring like the male. Allotype in my collec- tion. Ithaca, N. Y., August. Paratypes collected at the same time and place in the Cornell University collection and in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, Mass. The radius ratio in the paratype specimens varies from .44 to .66, the media ratio from 0.8 to 1.3. 1923] Two New Species of Fhoridoe from Baltic Amber 59 TWO NEW SPECIES OF PHORID^ FROM BALTIC AMBER.^ By Charles T. Brues. Some years ago, while examining a small series of amber- insects, now in the collections of the museum of the University of Konigsberg, I chanced upon a beautifully preserved specimen of the family Phoridse. This species, which is described below as Dohrinphora transita is in a small piece of amber together with an hymenopterous insect representing an undescribed genus of Bethylidse. A second species included in the same lot proves also to be new. The occurence of Phoridse in Baltic amber was noted many years ago by BehrendF and soon afterwards Loew® mentioned the existence of eleven species of this family in amber that had passed through his hands. Much more recently the present writeF has described two species from the Miocene shales of Florissant Colorado. In 1909 MeunieF described and figured a number of species from amber. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to recognize his species as the descriptions are based to a great extent upon characters not generally used, and many important diagnostic characters are not included. In spite of these difficulties I am quite certain that the two species des- cribed below are different from any of those dealt with by Meunier. The first one differs from all previously known species by the presence of a broad, flattened enlargement before the tip of the third longitudinal wing vein, a character which seems to form a transition between the recent species of Hypocera and those of the more generalized genera with forked third vein, since a number of species of Hypocera show a very similar swelling at the tip of the third vein. They lack the second vein, however, which is present in the fossil species. iContribution from the Entomological Laboratory of the Bussey Institution, Harvard University, No. 219. 20rganische Reste im Bernstein, vol. 1, p. 57 (1845). 3Ueber den Bernstein und die Bernsteinfauna, Progr. Konigl. Realsch. Meseritz, 1850 . pp. 1-44. 4Bull. American Mus. Nat. Hist. vol. 24 pp. 273-275. ^Monographic der Leptiden und Phoriden des Bernsteins, Jahrb. Konigl. Preuss. Geolo, Landesanst., vol. 30, pp. 64-90, 5 pis. 60 Pcyche [April Dohrniphora transita sp. nov. Sex? Length 3 mm. A stout species with well developed bristles on the hind legs. Two median supra-antennal bristles reclinate, strong, but rather short and divergent. Lower row of four frontal bristles forming a straight transverse line, the bases of the lateral bristles close to the lower angles of the front. Next row forming a curved line, all four bristles equidistant. Upper transverse row normal. Post-ocular cilia strong, not enlarged below. Antennae rather small, round; arista short and very slender. Mesonotum with a single pair of dorso-central macro- chaetse; scutellum with a pair of small lateral bristles and also two stronger bristles on the hind margin. Abdomen completely clouded, so that its structure cannot be observed. Anterior tibiae each with a single bristle at the middle on the front side; middle tibiae each with a similar one at the basal third, and also perhaps just before the tip which is not visible. Hind femora stout, fringed with short hairs along the lower edge. Hind tibia with a strong bristle at the end of the basal third; a pair at the middle, one of these bristles on the outer and the other one on the hind side; also with two shorter bristles just before the tip, and, so far as can be seen, with at least one stout spur. Costal vein not extending beyond the middle of the wing, its cilia delicate and very long, although most of the cilia have been broken off in the single specimen before me. First vein very long, its tip twice as far removed from the mediastinal vein as from the apex of the third vein; on its basal two-thirds it runs almost parallel to the costa, bending sharply forwards apically to meet the costa. Second vein short, the angle of furcation very close to the tip of the third vein. Third vein with a large, oval spot or swelling extending from the fork halfway to the apex of the vein; although this spot scarcely extends over the anterior edge of the vein, it is broadened out behind into a strong bow. Fourth vein straight, except at base, where it is weakly curved; originating opposite the fork of the third; fifth vein almost parallel to the fourth, slightly bent forward on its basal third; sixth and seventh veins present, straight. 1923] Two New Species of Phoridoe from Baltic Amber 61 Similar in size to Dohrniphora ahlata Meunier, but the antennae are small and the apical half of the anterior tibia bears no bristles, while the apical swelling on the third wing-vein des- cribed above will serve to distinguish it immediately. Dohrniphora loewi sp. nov. d'. Length 2 mm. Apparently brown in color, with the legs light brown; head and abdomen above more or less blackened. All frontal bristles reclinate, strong, but not greatly lengthened. Post-ocular cilia small and densely placed. Antennse rather small, the third joint globular, almost bare, and only a little shorter than the width of the head. Palpi clouded, their apical bristles which are clearly to be seen, however, are strongly de- veloped and densely placed. Front apparently at least as high as broad, perhaps higher, slightly convex. Cheeks each with a single downwardly directed bristle. Mesonotum bearing only a few fine hairs, as long as wide and strongly convex, on each side with four marginal bristles, of which two lie before and two behind the insertion of the wing; only one pair of dorsocentral macrochsetse present. Scutellum with four marginal bristles of which the anterior pair are slightly weaker. Abdomen one- third longer than the head and thorax together, uniformly nar- rowed toward the tip; second and sixth segments elongated, the second without tufts of hairs at the sides. Seventh segment, seen from above, furnished with a row of short bristles along the posterior margin. Hypopygium small. Legs not thickened; the hind femora broadened, but without distinct hairs on the lower margin. Front tarsi distinctly thickened, the second and third joints each quadrate; front tibiae with a single large bristle on the outer side just before the middle. Middle tibiae with a pair of strong bristles at the basal third; hind tibiae each with only a single bristle at the basal third and with two apical spurs of which the inner one is much more strongly developed. Wings apparently entirely hyaline; costal vein only one third as long as the wing, thickened toward the apex, with very fine cilia that are visible only under considerable magnification; first vein very long, its tip three times as far from the mediastinal 62 Psyche [April vein as from the tip of the third vein; second vein entering the costa at a point equidistant from the tips of the first and third veins; fourth vein almost straight, reaching the margin far before the wing-tip : fifth vein almost stright, entering the margin far beyond the wing tip; sixth vein with a sigmoid flexure; seventh vein obsolete. Type, No. B243, imbedded in a piece of amber with a spe- cimen of an ant. The present species resembles two amber forms described by Meunier (op. cit.) but appears to be quite distinct; from ‘‘Phora”^ inclusa Meun. it differs in having two basal bristles on the middle tibise and by being much larger, 2 mm. instead of 1 mm. From D. concinna Meun. It differs by the presence of a large bristle near the base of the front tibia and by having only one preapical bristle on the hind tibia. iWhether this species is a Dohrniphora or Paraspiniphora cannot be determined, as the apical portion of the middle tibiae are not visible in the type, according to Meunier’s descrip- tion. 1923] New Species of North American Dolichoopdidce 63 NEW SPECIES OF NORTH AMERICAN DOLICHOPODIDiE. By M. C. Van Duzee. Buffalo, N. y. Nothosympycnus luteipes sp. nov. Male: length 2 mm. Face very narrow, white. Front dark blue, shining. Antennae black or brown; third joint rather large, oval; arista twice as long as the antennae, pointed at tip. Lateral and inferior orbital cilia whitish. Dorsum of thorax brown, shining, still a little dulled with brown pollen; scutellum blue. Abdomen with the first, second, sides of third segment and the venter yellow; dorsum of third segment, the apical segments and the hypopygium blackish with green reflections; appendages of the hypopygium wholly black, except the yellow penis. All coxae and the posterior edge of the pleurae yellow; coxae without black hair or bristles, except the erect bristle on outer surface of hind ones. All femora and fore and middle tibiae yellowish, tips of hind femora and the hind tibiae more brown or black, still the base and lower edge of the tibiae are yellowish. Fore tarsi (fig. 4) yellow, blackened from the tip of the third joint; first joint about as long as wide, second as long as the two following joints taken together, fourth distinctly shorter than third and slightly longer than fifth. Middle tarsi (fig. 5) black from the tip of the first joint, which is about as long as the re- maining four taken together; tip of first joint with two and basal half of second joint with three long, slender, crooked hairs; second joint a little widened on basal half; third joint as long as second, fourth slightly shorter, fifth still shorter. Hind tarsi wholly blackish, shorter than their tibiae, first joint shorter than second. Calypters and halteres yellow, the former with black cilia. 64 Psyche [April Wings brownish gray, narrowed to the root; last section of fifth vein nearly four times the length of the cross- vein. Described from two males taken at Bar Harbor, Me., July 22, 1914, by C. W. Johnson. This is almost like frontalis Loew, except in the formation of the tarsi, frontalis having the fourth joint of fore tarsi much longer than the third. The middle tarsi of frontalis also have the first joint longer than the remaining four taken together, and the second about twice as long as the third. Campsicnemus wheeleri sp. nov. Male: Length 2 mm. Face brown, narrow, the eyes nearly touching on upper part, wider below. Palpi and proboscis black. Front black with slight blue reflections. Antennse black; third joint somewhat conical in outline, about as long as wide; arista basal, twice as long as the antenna. Orbital cilia black above, brownish below. Dorsum of thorax shining black, slightly dulled with brown pollen; humeri and pleurae green, the latter with brown pollen; scutellum blue. Abdomen green with purple reflections on the center of the dorsum. Hypopygium small, mostly concealed. Coxae blackish, anterior pair more yellowish apically, with black hair on the front surface. Femora and tibiae brownish yellow; fore and middle femora slightly thickened. Fore tibiae blackish at base and tip, with two very small bristles above and one below; middle and hind tibiae darkened apically ;mid- dle ones widened and bent as in figure 1; the tip, when viewed from above, is enlarged, blackish, with two yellow spots on the edge (fig. 2). Middle tarsi black, formed as in figures 1 & 2, the first joint is narrowed in the middle when viewed from the side and is enlarged near the apex, terminating in a thumb-like tip; when viewed from above it is slightly tapering, not nar- rowed in the middle. Last four joints of middle tarsi of nearly equal length and about as long as the first, still the fifth is slight- ly shorter and has three long hairs at tip. Fore tarsi brown. 1923] New Species of North American Dolichopodidce 65 first joint as long as the three following taken together, third and fifth of nearly equal length second slightly longer and fourth shorter than third. Hind tarsi brown, first and second joints of equal length, the following joints of slightly decreasing length. Calypters, their cilia and the halteres brown. Wings tinged with brownish; third and fourth veins par- allel beyond the cross-vein, widely separated; last section of fourth vein with a faint brown spot at its basal fourth; last section of fifth being twice as long as the cross-vein; anal angle prominent. A female which probably belongs with this species differs in the thorax having purple reflections; legs plain and a little more yellow; middle and hind basitarsi yellow with a black tip; calypters and knobs of halteres more yellowish, the former with black cilia; middle tibise with two bristles below and several on upper surface, wings with the spot at basal fourth of the last section of fourth vein very conspicuous. Described from one pair taken in Maine; the holotype, male, was taken at Machias, July 20, 1909, and the allotype a female at Bar Harbor, August 4, 1918; both were taken by C. W. Johnson. He sent them to me with the name wheeleri attached but had never described them. This is very much like oedipus Wheeler, but this form has the legs more yellowish; the middle tibise of the male of a little different shape; the middle basitarsus contracted in the middle, more enlarged apically, and not ending in a point; their third and fourth joints are also nearly twice as long as in oedipus ] the brown spot on the fourth vein of the wing is very indistinct in this form. The females of the two species are probably difficult to separate. Hercostmus costalis sp. nov. Male; Length 3 mm.; of wing the same. Face of mod- erate width, silvery white. Front thickly covered with white pollen, so as to conceal the ground color when viewed obliquely. 66 Psyche [April Antennae wholly black; third joint not as long as wide, some- what pointed at tip, arista nearly basal. Lateral and inferior orbital cilia whitish, about five to six of the upper cilia on each side black. Thorax and abdomen green with bronze reflections; meso- notum dulled with gray or brownish gray, pleurae with white pollen; abdomen with white pollen on the sides. Hypopygium (fig. 3) black; its lamellae somewhat angulated and deeply notched at tip, yellow with the edge narrowly black, fringed with bristles which are deep black in color, some of them flattened, and a little enlarged at tip; there appear to be two pairs of inner ap- pendages, one blackish and the other yellow. Coxae and femora black; tips of coxae and narrow tips and the base of all femora yellow, the yellow at base of hind femora sometimes nearly reaches their middle. Middle and hind femora each with one preapical bristle. Tibiae yellow, posterior pair with their tips blackened for nearly one third their length; fore tibiae with only two or three slender bristles on upper surface. Fore and middle tarsi black from the tip of the first joints; anterior pair about as long as their tibiae, their joints in the proportion of 24-8-6-4-6; hind tarsi wholly black, first joint scarcely as long as second. Calypters and halteres yellow, the former with black cilia. Wings slightly grayish; costa considerably enlarged at tip of first vein, this enlargement tapers quite rapidly at first, more gradually afterwards and extends nearly to the tip; third and fourth veins converge from the cross-vein to their tips, where they are about half as far apart as at the cross-vein; last section of the fifth vein about one and a third times as long as the cross- vein; anal angle rather prominent, its margin nearly parallel with the sixth vein. Described from four males; I took one at Toronto, Ont., July 4, 1911, one at Port Credit, Ont., July 14, 1918 and one at Ridgeway, Ont., June 22, 1919; the other was taken by J. S. Rogers, at Floodwood, Schoolcroft Co., Mich., July 11, 1915, this is in the collectiom of Dr. J. M. Aldrich. 1923] New Species of North American Dolichopodidce 67 Holotype in the author’s collection and taken at Toronto, Ont. Diaphorus spinitalus sp. nov. Male: Length 3 mm. Face wide, shining green, only slightly dulled with brownish pollen. Palpi rather small, dark yellow; proboscis black. Antennae black, third joint small, rounded, arista apical. Lower orbits nearly bare, below the head there are a few white bristles. Thorax and abdomen green with coppery reflections; scu- tellum with one pair of large bristles and a pair of hairs on the margin. Hypopygium and its appendages small, black, the bristles at tip short. Fig. 1, Campsicnemus wheeleri sp. nov., middle tibia and tarsus; fig. 2, tip of middle tibia and basitarsus of the same, viewed from the side; fig. 3, Hercostomus coslalis sp. nov., hypo- pygium; fig. 4, Nothosympycnus luteipes sp. nov., fore tarsus- fig. 5, middle tarsus of the same. 68 Psyche [April Coxae, legs and feet black, fore and middle knees yellowish. Fore coxae with white hairs on their anterior surface. Joints of fore tarsi as 21-12-9-3-7; those of hind tarsi as 19-13-8-6-6; first joint of hind tarsi with an erect bristle below near the base, which is about as long as the diameter of the joint. Pul villi of fore tarsi slightly enlarged. Wings grayish; first vein reaches two-fifths of the distance to the tip of the second; third and fourth veins nearly parallel, fourth ending just before the apex of the wing; last section of fifth vein nearly twice as long as the cross-vein, which is near the middle of the wing. Described from one male taken by E. P. Van Duzee, at Strawberry Valley, Eldorado Co., California, August 15, 1912. Type in the California Academy of Sciences. Diaphorus spinifer Malloch. Chrysotuss pinifer, Bull. 111. State Lab. of Nat. Hist., Vol. X, p. 238. The pulvilli of the fore tarsi are somewhat enlarged in this species and it has very small bristles at the tip of the abdomen, these points together with its slender form are enough to place this in the genus Diaphorus, especially as that will bring it near the species described above, which differs from it in having the bristles at the tip of the abdomen larger, the bristle on the hind tarsi smaller, and the palpi much smaller, those of spinifer being each as large as the face, or nearly so. Simplex Aid. also has a large bristle below at base of hind tarsi, but in that species the third and fourth veins are much bent. I have taken spinifer in Erie Co., N. Y., in August; Ft. Erie, Ont., July; Alpine, San Diego Co., Calif., April; Sacra- mento, Calif., June; Dr. Aldrich took it at Lewiston, Idaho. It was described from Illinois. 1923] New Spvcies of North American Dolickopodidce 69 Dolichopus uliginosus sp. nov. Male: Length 4.7 mm,; of w'ihg 4 mm. Face rather narrow, yellowish. Front shining green. Antennae wholly black; third joint about as long as wide, scarcely pointed at tip. Orbital cilia black with the four lowest ones on each side yellow. Thorax shining blue-green with violet reflections; pleurae slightly dulled with gray pollen. Abdomen shining green with black incisures and with white pollen on its sides. Hypo- pygium and its lamellae black, the latter somewhat triangular in outline and about as wide as long. Coxae, legs and feet black. Fore coxae with black hairs on their anterior surface. Middle and hind femora each with one preapical bristle, the latter ciliated on lower inner edge with long black hairs, which appear nearly white in certain lights, the longest of these hairs scarcely as long as the width of the femora. Hind tibiae with brown pollen on inner surface, which is conspicuous when viewed obliquely, they are distinctly thickened almost from their base. Middle tibiae with one large bristle just beyond the middle on their lower surface. Anterior tarsi scarcely as long as their tibiae, the first joint as long as the remaining four taken together, fifth as long as second, fourth joint the shortest. Middle tarsi as long as their tibiae, the first joint without a bristle above. Calypters yellow with black cilia. Knob of the halteres yellow, their stem brown. Wings grayish; costa with a slight knot-like enlargement at tip of first vein; fourth vein a little bent just before the middle of its last section; hind margin of wing scarcely indented at tip of fifth vein; anal angle of wings rounded, not prominent, the hind margin being nearly evenly rounded. Described from one male taken at the Biological Station at Nanaimo, B. C., June 23, 1920, by E. P. Van Duzee. Type in the California Academy of Sciences. This would run in the table of species in the Bulletin U. S. National Museum No. 116, p. 11, couplet 8, of group C, to 70 Pscyhe [April deterus Loew; it very much like that species in the form of the hypopyginal lamellae and structure of the legs and feet, but differs in having only four or five of the lower orbital cilia yellow, in deterus the lower orbital cilia are grayish white, not yellow and the pale cilia reach above the middle of the eye. Dolichopus inter jectus sp. nov. Male; Length 4 mm.; of wing 3.5 mm. Face rather nar- row, silvery white. Front shining green. Antennae wholly black; third joint a little longer than wide, obtusely pointed at tip. Lower half of the orbital cilia whitish. Thorax dark shining green; pleurae with whitish pollen. Abdomen green with slight bronze reflections. Hypopygium black with green reflections; its lamellae of moderate size, some- what oval in outline, whitish with rather wide black border on apical margin, which is jagged and bristly, upper edge fringed with a few short black hairs. Coxae, legs and feet black; fore and middle trochanters and all knees yellow. Fore coxae covered with black hairs on their anterior surface. Middle and hind femora each with one preapical bristle, the latter nearly bare below. Hind tibiae slightly thickened, more so at tip. Fore tarsi about one and a fourth times as long as their tibiae, first joint fully as long as the following three taken together, fifth nearly as long as the second, fourth the shortest. Middle tibiae with one large bristle below at apical third. Middle tarsi about equal to their tibiae in length, their first joint without a bristle above. Calypters and halteres yellow, the latter with whitish cilia. Wings grayish, tinged with brown in front of third vein; costa with a small knot-like enlargement at tip of first vein; last section of fourth vein a little bent before its middle; hind mar- gin of wing not indented at tip of fifth vein; anal angle of wing prominent. Female; Agrees with the male, except that the face is wider and the white is scarcely silvery; third antennal joint not longer 1923] New Species of North American Dolichopodidoe 71 than wide; cilia of the calypters about half black; the costa not enlarged at tip of first vein. Described from two males and one female, taken in Powell Co., Montana, by A. L. Melander. Holotype and allotype in the collection of A. L. Melander. This would run to formosus in the table of species in the U. S. National Museum Bulletin 116, page 11, couplet 5, in group C, but differs from that species in having the hypopygial lamel- lae jagged at apex and fringed with short hairs above, formosus has the lamellae fringed above with longer hairs and their apical margin is not at all jagged, the black border is broader in this form than it is in formosus. The wing in interjectus has a dis- tinct enlargement at tip of first vein and the anal angle is more prominent than in formosus. The female runs in the table of species in the Bulletin, page 28, couplet 23, to nigrimanus, but it differs in having the fore tarsus fully as long as the tibiae, while in nigrimanus they are scarely as long as the tibiae. Dolichopus perplexus nom. nov. Dolichopus misellus Melander, Canadian Entomologist, vol. xxxii, p. 130, 1900. U. S. National Museum Bulletin 116, page 229, 1921. Dolichopus melanderi Becker, Zool-Boten. Gell- schaft, Wien, vol. xiii. No. i, page 15, 1921. Dr, Becker in the American portion of his monograph of the Dolichopodidae gives the name melanderi to Dolichopus misellus Melander, as that name was preoccupied by Dolichopus misellus Bohem., 1851, but as that name is also preoccupied by the publication of the description of a Dolichopus melanderi VanDuzee, Cole & Aldrich, in March, 1921 (U. S. National Museum Bulletin 116, page 70, I would propose the name perplexus for this form. 72 Psyche [April Psilopus longi talus sp. nov. Male; Length 5 mm. Face bare; fore coxae and all femora and tibiae yellow ; all tarsi plain with only short hairs and bristles, except the fore basitarsus which has three long slender bristles; middle tibiae with only minute scattering bristles, which are scarcely as long as the diameter of the tibiae. Face bare, blue-green with white pollen. Front shining blue with the upper corners green. Antennae black; its second joint with a bristle above which is twice as long as the short third joint; arista as long as the height of the head. Lateral and inferior orbital cilia white. Thorax, scutellum and basal half of first abdominal seg- ment blue, the remainder of the abdomen green with bronze reflections, its incisions black. Bristles of the thorax and ab- domen rather short. Hypopygium and its appendages black, formed about as in sipho Siud furcatus. Fore coxae wholly yellow with yellow hair and two black bristles; middle and hind coxae and their trochanters black with white hairs and black bristles; femora and tibiae yellow, posterior tibiae scarcely blackened at extreme tip. All femora with long yellow hairs below and about three small black bristles near the tip. Anterior tibiae with four long black bristles on lower pos- terior edge; middle pair with only very short, scattering bristles; hind tibae without bristles. Fore basitarsi equal to their tibiae in length, and with three long slender bristles on posterior surface, they are yellow with the extreme tip black; last four joints taken together scarcely as long as the first. Middle tarsi with the first joint nearly one and one fourth times as long as their tibiae, black from the extreme tip of first joint; last four joints taken together about half as long as the first. Hind tarsi black, plain, first joint a little more yellowish and longer than the remaining four joints taken together. Calypters and halteres yellow, the former black with tip and cilia. Wings with two brown cross-bands connected on the costal edge as far back as the third vein, the basal band covers the 1923] New Species of North American Dolichopodidce 73 cross-vein but does not reach back of the fifth vein; anterior branch of the fourth vein at right angles to the fourth vein and with the upper bend also a right angle but still it is a little roun- ed, it ends close to the tip of the third vein. Female: The bristle on upper edge of second antennal joint twice as long as the third joint; the first joint of fore and middle tarsi is nearly as long as their tibise and shorter than the remaining four joints taken together; the anterior branch of the fourth vein of the wing bends backward a little, its upper bend is nearly a right angle and only a little rounded. Described from one male and eleven females taken at Winn- field, La., July 14, 1918, by G. R. Pilate. Holotype and allotype in the collection of Prof. James Hine. This differs iiomelegantulus Becker from Brazil (Zool -Botan. Gesellschaft, Wien, Vol. xiii, parti, p. 294) in having three long slender bristles on the first joint of fore tarsi, while elegantulus has only one long bristle on the fore basitarsus; this species is also larger. This form belongs to the group with sipho Say, scaher Leow, and furcatus VanDuzee, but differs in there being only very small bristles on the middle tibiae, it differs from the first two in not having a row of bristles below on middle tibiae. It also has the first joint of fore and middle tarsi longer than any of the other species. The female differs from that of sipho in having the bristles on upper edge of the first antennal joint long- er; in sipho the anterior branch of fourth vein is much more bent backward and its upper bend is much more broadly rounded, not at all a right angle. 74 Psyche [April NOTES ON SINE A DIADEM A (FABR.); HEMIPTERA By Geo. W. Barber. Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. During the month of September the blossoms of goldenrod are visited by myriads of insects, many of which are attracted there for the food that may be obtained from the flowers. But all is not fortunate, sometimes, for the unwary fly or bee, especially when Phymata erosa (Linn.) and spiders such as Mi- sumena vatia await them. These, by means of the color with which nature has favored them, are all but indistinguishable from the blossoms. Other predators not so fortunately endowed are frequently present on the flowers, that must for them be excellent hunting grounds. Among these is Sinea diadema (Fabr.) one of the most common species of the Reduviidse, which though not of particularly ferocious appearance to our eyes, must seem sufficiently so to the insect that it attacks. Fig. 1. Sinea diadema (Fabr.) Egg-mass enlarged six diameters. Eggs of this species may be readily obtained by confining the adults in salve boxes. They are deposited usually in small 1923] Notes on Sinea Diadema 75 masses, the individual eggs upright and arranged in two rows. As thus seen under magnification they are very beautiful, the structures of the cap and the collar-like extension of the chorion, which extends outwards from the new laid egg, appearing like delicate lace. The first instar nymph is a most grotesque little insect with a very large head powerful beak and large, strong front femora provided with numerous stout, sharp spines. The arma- ture is admirably designed for a predatory habit, the head and thorax being covered with plates of very stout, smooth, black chitin against which, we are pleased to believe, a much larger insect might struggle without effect, once it is in the grasp of powerful front femora. Young nymphs that I confined wasted no time on covering themselves with litter and soon became all but indistinguishable. Here again the insect is found superbly fitted for its habit, for on the thorax it bears four sharp, stout spines, than which no structure, perhaps, would better serve for retaining the litter with which it covers itself. The egg of this species has been described by Ashmead (1895 — Insect Life VII p. 321) and Heideman (1911 — Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. XIII p. 135) and the young nymph by Ashmead. Since I intend to display illustrations, I have enlarged these ex- cellent descriptions somewhat. Fig. 2. Sinea diadema (Fabr.) _ A — egg, lateral view; B — egg, dorsal view of the cap and the extension of the chorion; C — Detail structure of the extension of the chorion; D — first instar nymph, lateral view; E — egg mass. Egg. Length 1 . 3 mm. ; width .6 mm. ; diameter of extension of chorion .8 mm. Color brown, minutely granulated, somewhat 76 Psyche [April shining; central area of cap brown, outer rim brown with min- ute, regular, white reticulations; extension of the chorion white with dark lines, brown towards the inner edge; shape, sub- illiptical, narrowed towards the cap; central area of the cap raised, cone-like, bluntly rounded at the tip, composed of sev- eral scales which fail to meet at the tip; outer rim of the cap flat with minute, regular reticulations; extension of the chorion on the same plane with the outer rim of the cap in new laid eggs, after hatching or drying bending upwards or downwards, squamose, minutely so towards the inner border, gradually coarser outwards, edge sinuate; chorial processes numerous, elongate, club-shaped, within the extension of the chorion. First Instar Nymph. Length 1.8 mm.; Color dark brown to black, the antennae, except the basal half of the first segment, the apical half of the middle and posterior tibiae and all the tarsi brownish; eyes red; body smooth, shining, plates of the head and thorax strong and heavy, closely united; head oblong, as long as the thorax, wider and elevated behind the eyes, then depressed and narrowing into a neck of moderate length; anten- nae cylindrical, 4-jointed, as long as or slightly longer than the body, first and last joints subequal, second and third united less than the first, minutely and sparsely ciliate, the basal joint less so, hairs light brown; beak very stout at base, gradually nar- rowing, attaining the front coxae; pro and mesothorax each provided with a stout spine each side the median line, as long as one fourth the length of the prothorax and separated by about their own length, directed upwards; anterior legs with very stout femora, enlarged towards the apex, with several stout, sharp spines arranged in rows, those towards the apex larger, each with a hair arising from the apex, sparsely pilose, the hairs long; tibiae slender with three blunt spines beneath, more densely pilose than the femora; middle and posterior legs somewhat shorter and more slender, moderately pilose; abdomen short, somewhat more than half the length of the thorax, rounded, somewhat flattened, the edges moderately undulated and sparse- ly fringed with tufts of hairs. 1923] New Saw-Flies, Hymenoptera, from Oregon 77 NEW SAW-FLIES, HYMENOPTERA, FROM OREGON/ By Alev. D. MacGillivray. The following new species constitute a part of a collection that has been in hand for several years. The collection was received from Professor A. L. Lovett of the Oregon Agricultural College, Corvallis, Oregon. Macremphytus lovetti sp. nov. Female. Body black with the four distal segments of the antennae, the labrum, the tegulae, the protibiae and protarsi, the mesotibiae and mesotarsi, the metatrochanters, and the metatarsi, white; antennae with the three proximal segments and part of the fourth, the head except the clypeal suture and the postocellar area, the thorax except the margins of the lobes of the mesonotum and the mesoscutellum, the proximal two-thirds of the metatibiae, and the abdomen except the saw guides, rufous; antennae flattened, first and second segments of the flagellum subequal; clypeus roundly emarginate; ocellar basin small, irregular; saw-guides with the dorsal margin straight, the ventral convex, obliquely convexly rounded at apex; wings yellowish, costa reddish, proximal half of stigma white, veins black. Length, 14 mm. Habitat: — Rock Creek, Corvallis, Oregon; A. L. Lovett’ collector. This beautiful large species is similar to varianus Norton, but easily separated by the difference in color. It gives me pleasure to name this species after its collector. Pro- fessor A. L. Lovett. Hemitaxonus dediticius sp. nov. Male. Body black with the labrum, tegulse, coxae, and trochanters, white; the legs beyond the trochanters, abdomi- nal segment two for the most part and all of segments three and four, rufous; the clypeus roundly emarginate; antennae ^Contributions from the Entomological Laboratories of the University of Illinois. No. 75. 78 Psyche [April with the first segment of the flagellum slightly longer than the second; ocellar basin distinct, concave; the median fovea pit- like; ocellar and interocellar furrows indicated; vertical furrows distinct; head and thorax finely punctate; wings hyaline, spinulse distinct, veins, costa, and stigma brownish. Length, 6.5 mm. Habitat: — Corvallis, Oregon; G. F. Moznette, collector. This species is entirely different in coloration from the eastern duhitalus Norton. Taxonus inclinatus sp. nov. Male. Body black with the labrum, line on collar, tegulae, and a fine line on the caudal margin of the abdominal segments, white; the legs beyond the trochanters except an elongate spot on the proximal part of the upper side of the profemora and meso- femora and the tarsi of all the legs more or less, rufous; the clypeus roundly emarginate; antennae short, the first segment of the flagellum nearly twice as long as the second, the second and third subequal; ocellar basin shallow, divided into two parts, not extending to the median ocellus; ocellar and interocellar furrows deep, the latter extending to and around the median ocellus; the wings hyaline, the veins and stigma uniformly color- ed. Length, 6.5 mm. Habitat: — Corvallis, Oregon; received from A. L. Lovett, Hardman collector. This species runs to nigrasoma Norton from which its color and structure will readily separate it. Monophadnoides contortus sp. nov. Female. Body black with the knees and the tibiae, except the underside and distal portion of the mesotibiae and metatibiae, and more or less of the proximal part of the tarsal segments, white; clypeus truncate; antennae with the first segment of the flagellum longer than the second, the second longer than the third; head polished, the ocellar basin deep, also with a basin around the median ocellus; ocellar furrow deep, interrupted at 1923] New Saw-Flies, Hymenoptera, from Oregon 79 middle; the collar and tegulse black; the saw-guides finger- shaped, bluntly pointed at middle of apex; wings hyaline, veins including costa brown, caudal half of stigma paler. Length, 6mm. Habitat: — Corvallis, Oregon; received from A. L. Lovett, Ballard collector. The interrupted interocellar furrow will serve for the indentification of this species. Monophadnoides corytus sp. nov. Male. Body black with the prothoracic legs beyond the middle of the femora, the knees of the other legs and beyond to apex, pale; clypeus truncate; antennae with the first segment of the flagellum distinctly longer than either of the subequal sec- ond or third; head and thorax setiferous; ocellar basin almost wanting; median ocellus surrounded by a depressed area con- necting with the distinct interocellar furrow; ocellar furrow almost wanting; vertical furrows deep, not reaching caudal aspect of head; wings dusky, spinulae distinct, veins and costa brown- ish, stigma with cephalic half brown, caudal half paler. Length, 5 mm. Habitat: — Corvallis, Oregon; A. L. Lovett, collector. This species can be differentiated from the preceeding by the form of the ocellar furrow. Monophadnus aeratus sp. nov. Male. Body black and densly covered with white setae, pro- tibiae and mesotibiae, metatibiae except black ring at apex, and proximal half of the metabasitarsis, white; clypeus convex, trun- cate; antennae with segments of the flagellum swollen, the third and fourth subequal, the second longer than the third, and the first much longer than the second; lateral fovea wanting; ocellar basin deep concavity; reaching half way to the median ocellus, area below median ocellus flat and finely punctate; vertical furrows deep, bipunctiform; ocellar furrow prominent, intero- cellar furrow extending to the median ocellus; scutellum flat impunctate; wings smoky, larger veins black, smaller brownish, stigma of two colors. Length, 6 mm. 80 Psyche [April Habitat: — Corvallis, Oregon; received from A. L. Lovett, collected by Godding. This species is related to planus and hipunctatus. Monophadnus ruscullus sp. nov. Male. Body black without any pale marks; clypeus uni- formly convex, truncate; antennae with the first segment of the fiagellum subequal or slightly shorter than the second, the second slightly longer than the third; the lateral foveae wanting; ven- tral ends of the antennal furrows subpunctiform, with a minute median fovea; front flat adjacent to the median ocellus; ocellar, vertical, and interocellar furrows distinct, the latter surrounding the dorsal portion of the median ocellus; head polished; wings smoky, the veins and the stigma black. Length, 5 mm. Habitat: — Mary’s Peak, Corvallis, Oregon; received from A. L. Lovett, Middlekauff collector. The coloration and struc- ture of the head is very different from that of tilice Norton. Periclista electa sp. nov. Male. Body black with the distal half of the femora, the tibiae, and the tarsi, shading between yellow and rufous; the clypeus shallowly circularly emarginate; head closely finely roughened; lateral fovea wanting; median fovea indefinite; ocellar basin scarcely defined, frontal crest thin, shelving; vertical furrows punctiform, ocellar furrow wanting, interocellar furrow linear; head not depressed about the median ocellus; thorax polished, setiferous; abdomen with caudal margins of segments with a fine pale margin; wings hyaline, veins and stigma brown. Length, 6 mm. Habitat: — Corvallis, Oregon; received from A. L. Lovett. This species is related to media Norton and its allies. Hylotoma onerosa sp. nov. Female. Body black with the labrum, clypeus, mandibles, flagellum of antennae, legs beyond the apices of the coxae, and the abdomen beyond the basal plates, rufous; head and thorax 1923] New Saw-Flies, Hymenoptera, from Oregon 81 setiferous; setae white; clypeus angularly emarginate; supracly- peal area with ventral portion elevated with declivous sides, dorsal portion with an angular depression, median fovea in dorsal part, not distant from median ocellus, depression extending almost to median ocellus; antennal, vertical, ocellar, and interocellar furrows obsolete; head and thorax polished; mesocutellum flat; saw-guides greatly swollen, convex on lateral and ventral portions; distal portion obliquely truncated, joining ventral portion in a rounded ridge; wings yellowish, costa colored like membrane, stigma and veins brownish. Length, 10 mm. Habitat: — Moscow, Idaho, J. M. Aldrich, collector; Revelstoke, British Columbia; R. C. Osborn, collector; Male collected in Okanogan County, Washington, by C. W. Sutton, is evidently the same. This species is similar to clavicornis Fabricius. 82 Psyche [April TWO NEW MISSISSIPPI ANTS OF THE SUBGENUS COLOBOPSIS. By M. R. Smith. Mississippi State Plant Board, A. & M. College, Mississippi.! The subgenus Colohopsis is a division of the genus Cam- ponotus. It includes those ants the major workers and females of which have anteriorly truncated heads. The truncated area may be concave or blunt, in either case the sides are always mar- ginate and well defined. The characters mentioned are so dis- tinct that one has no difficulty in assigning ants of this type to the proper genus. The subgenus Colohopsis in North America seems to have very few species, most of the known forms having been des- cribed by Dr. W. M. Wheeler in a paper published in 1904.i In this paper the following species are recorded as occuring in North America, namely: Colohopsis impressus Roger, Colohop- sis pylartes Wheeler, Colohopsis ahditus var. etiolatus Wheeler. Since that time Dr. Wheeler has described and added another variety to the known North American forms, this species being Colohopsis pylartes var. hunteri. Because of the fact that these ants nest in galls, twigs of trees and the stems of plants they are seldom taken by collec- tors. This partly accounts for the few known forms. Their habits are also imperfectly known. In Mississippi three distinct species of Colohopsis have been taken, two of which are being described as new in this paper. The writer would feel somewhat hesitant about describing these as new if Dr. Wheeler had not examined the specimens and reviewed the descriptions. The third species of Colohopsis found in Mississippi is one that can be assigned to C. impressus. All three of these forms are very distinct and it is impossible iThe American Ants of the Subgenus Colohopsis; Bulletin American Museum Natural History Vol. 20, Article 10, pp. 139-158. 1923] Two New Mississippi Ants of the Subgenus Colohopsis 83 for one to confuse them. C. impressus, which has a head with distinctly parallel sides, can easily be distinguished from the other two species both of which have heads with the sides diverg- ing anteriorly. In this section of the state C. pylartes fraxinicola and C. mississippiensis nest in the twigs of white ash, Fraxinus ameri- cana Linn, and are rather common species, particularly the latter, which can be found in the twigs of ash with very little effort. Without doubt these species must feed to a large extent if not altogether, on the honey dew excreted by aphids, scale insects, etc. for the writer has on a number of occasions seen the workers lapping up this substance from the leaves of trees and plants. C. mississippiensis seems to breed here thruout the winter. Nests examined at various dates during the season always con- tained eggs and larvae. Since the winters in Mississippi are rather mild and the ants are well protected from exposure, this is to be expected. The writer is very grateful to Dr. W. M. Wheeler for ex- amining the specimens described here and for reviewing the technical descriptions. To Professor R. W. Harned the writer wishes to express his appreciation for encouragement given in the study of these and other Mississippi ants and for the generous allotment of time for such work. Colobopsis mississippiensis sp. nov. Soldier. Length, 4.5 — 5mm. Head subcylindrical, from above rectangular, longer than broad, sides divergent anteriorly, occipital border convex, anterior truncated surface deeply concave, its edges sharply marginate along the sides but less so in the clypeal region. Mandibles small, with flattened ventral surfaces, 4-toothed with a short toothless proximal portion to the blade. Clypeus on the truncated surface about one and a half times longer than broad, upper portion on the truncated area more divergent than the lower portion. There is a distinct median keel running the full 84 Psyche [April length of the clypeus. On the front, carinse far apart, with sides converging anteriorly. Eyes moderate, oblong, convex. An- tennal scapes curved, slender at the base, gradually enlarging toward their tips. All the funicular joints except the first sub- equal, first joint almost equal to the next two in length. Thorax robust, pronotum about as broad as long, convex. Meso-epinotal constriction distinct but not deep. Epinotal base and declivity meeting in such a way as to form a decided angle. Petiole low, convex and rounded in front and above, flattened behind, the posterior dorsal edge of the node faintly impressed in the middle but not excised or emarginate. Gaster oblong. Legs short, femora compressed, anterior pair distinctly dilated. Mandibles and anterior two thirds of head subopaque, the former obscurely longitudinally rugose, the latter coarsely and irregularly reticulate — rugose, with punctate interrugal spaces. On the cheeks and front the sculpture gradually passes over into umbilicately punctate, shallow and scattered foveolse. Cheeks and anterior dorsal surface of the head with short, erect, blunt yellowish hairs. There are a few short hairs on the tips of the scapes and femora. Vertex of the head and dorsl and sternal sides of the gaster with longer, erect, whitish hairs' Anterior two thirds of head including antennae reddish brown, posterior portion of head blackish brown; thorax and appendages brown; abdomen black. Worker. Length 3.5-4 mm. Head longer than broad, a little broader behind than in front, occipital borders and cheeks convex. Mandibles small, 4-toothed. Clypeus nearly square, medianly keeled. Frontal carinae converging anteriorly. Antennae proportionately longer than in the soldier; scapes flattened, gradually enlarging toward their tips. Thorax similar to that of the soldier with the ex- ception of the epinotum whose basal surface meets the declivity in such a manner as to form a sharp angle. Petiole low, robust. 1923] Two New Mississippi Ants of the Subgenus Colohopsis 85 with convex anterior and superior surfaces, the posterior dorsal edge of node centrally impressed as in the soldier; posterior surface flat, Gaster oblong. Legs as in the soldier. Body and appendages shining, distinctly shagreened, the head and thorax more coarsely than the gaster; the cheeks and upper surface of the head with scattered punctures. Head, legs and gaster covered with delicate white appressed hairs. Clypeus, front, vertex, tips of scapes and femora with a few long, scattered, hairs. Dark brown; head almost black, gaster black, thorax and appendages lighter than either. The specimens on which these descriptions are based were taken at Starkville, Mississippi, on January 7th, 1922, in the twigs of white ash, Fraxinus americana Linn. This seems to be a very common species of Colohopsis in Mississippi. In every instance observed it has been found nesting in the twigs of white ash. The ants mine out all of the soft portion of the twigs forming longitudinal galleries within the axes of the stems. The galleries may be from a few inches to over a foot in length. The young are reared within these galleries. Small entrance holes in diameter about the size of the soldiers’ heads lead from the outside of the twigs to the gal- leries within. There may be from one to several entrance holes to a nest. No soldiers have been observed using their heads to block these holes as has been noticed in other species of the genus. The female must undoubtedly construct her nest alone and rear the first brood to maturity unaided, as the writer has on a number of occasions found dead or live queens alone in small galleries. Colohopsis mississippiensis was so named because it is the most common species of the genus in Mississippi. It is very easily recognized by the deeply concave, truncated surface of the head. The sides of the truncated area are very sharp and well defined, except in the dorsal clypeal region. The head of this species when viewed from above has sides that are distinctly 86 Psyche [April divergent anteriorly with the anterior area of the head very concave or hollowed out. This species seems to be somewhat variable in color. In some specimens the soldiers have abdomens with the basal segment yellowish, in others there is a faint yel- lowish band on the anterior portion of the second segment, in still others there is a combination of the two. There is variation in the color of the head and thorax, some specimens being much lighter than others. The writer hesitates to assign these speic- mens to varieties based on color, especially in view of the fact that he has not seen material from many localities. Colobopsis pylartes fraxinicola subsp. nov. Soldier. Length, 4.5-5 mm. Head subcylindrical, viewed from above only slightly longer than broad, noticeably wider in front than behind, with inflated cheeks; occipital border straight or faintly convex. Anterior truncated surface oblique, border blunt on sides of face and mandibles, on the clypeal and adjacent region the truncated passes into the dorsal surface thru a rounded angle. Mandibles with blunter ventral margins than those of mississippiensis, blade with 4 distinct teeth and a toothless proximal basal por- tion. Clypeus projecting above surface of truncated area, broader or more divergent above than below. Eyes, frontal carinse and antennae as in mississippiensis. Thorax short, robust. Meso-epinotal constriction distinct and pronounced. The angle formed by the junction of the basal surface of the epinotum and the declivity distinct. Petiole low, robust, with convex anterior and superior surfaces and flat posterior surface; the posterior margin of the superior surface deeply excised or emarginate. G aster and legs as in mississippiensis. Mandibles and anterior half of head subopaque, the former obscurely longitudinally rugose-punctate, the latter regularly and coarsely reticulate-rugose with punctate interrugal spaces. On the cheeks and front the sculpture gradually passes over into umbilicately punctate, shallow, scattered foveolse. Pos- terior half of the head and the remainder of body shining, finely shagreened. 1923] Two New Mississippi Ants of the Subgenus Colohopsis 87 Hairs yellowish short, erect and obtuse on the cheeks, longer and more tapering on front and vertex. Gaster above and below with scattered tapering hairs. There are a few short hairs at the tips of the scapes and femora. Anterior half of head light yellowish, posterior half of head including antennae dark brown, thorax and appendages brown, abdomen black, with base of first and second segment tinged with yellow. Worker. Length, 3-3.5 mm. Head longer than broad, broader behind thaii in front, with convex occipital border and somewhat less convex sides. Mandibles small, 4 toothed. Clypeus convex, almost square and not noticeably keeled. Antennal scapes flattened, gradually tapering from base to tip. Thorax very deeply constricted at the junction of meso-epinotum. The base of the epinotum in profile appears flattened and forms with the declivity a distinct angle. Petiole low, robust, with convex anterior and superior surfaces, the posterior margin of the latter deeply excised to form two distinct lateral teeth, the posterior surface of the petiole flattened. Gaster oblong. Legs similar to those of the soldier. Body and appendages shining, distinctly shagreened, the head and thorax more coarsely than the gaster, the cheeks and upper surfaces of the head with scattered punctures. Head, legs and gaster sparsely covered with delicate, white, appressed hairs. Clypeus, front, vertex, tips of antennae and femora and the gastric segments with a few scattered and longer hairs. Dark brown; head darker, mandibles, cheeks and appen- dages light brown, gaster black. The ants on which these descriptions are based were col- lected at Starkville, Mississippi, on January 11, 1922. Like mississippiensis this subspecies has a fondness for nesting in white ash but has also been taken by Mr. Andrew Fleming at 88 Psyche [April Sibley, Mississippi from the twigs of elder. The nesting habits of the two seem to be about the same. Besides the localities mentioned the writer has specimens from Columbus and A. & M. College. The soldier of this subspecies can be recognized by its pe- culiarly blunt head, the truncated area of which is oblique in profile. The clypeus on the truncated area projects above the surface very noticeably and it much broader above than below. The punctation and sculpturing on the anterior portion of the head is regular and distinct. When the head of the soldier is viewed from above it appears rectangular, very little broader than long, with divergent sides and inflated cheeks. The workers can be distinguished by the very deep cons- triction at the meso-epinotum and by the prominent 2-toothed petiole, both of which are very different from those of mississip- piensis. The color in fraxinicola is variable as in the preceeding species, some specimens being very dark while others are lighter and have more yellow on the base of the gaster and the second segment. 1923] The Varieties of Monecphora hicincta 89 THE VARIETIES OF MONECPHORA BICINCTA FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A CYTOLOGIST. Alice M. Boeing. Wellesley College. A curious case of distribution in Monecphora hicincta and its variety ignipecta was called to my attention by Mr. A. P. Morse in the summer of 1921. Since then I have been studying the chromosomes of these forms to see whether a study of the internal cell phenomena would throw any light on their rela- tionship. In Psyche for February 1921 (vol. 28), Mr. Morse describes the case. The normal range of Monecphora hicincta var. hicincta, the form with red bands on its wings, is from southern New Jersey south, while the normal range of Monecphora hicincta var. ignipecta, the common black form, is from southern New Jersey north. Mr. Morse found a number of the variety hicincta near Norridgewock, Maine, while the variety ignipecta was taken in all other localities around. It is possible that that particular spot is subject to some peculiar environmental conditions which may have caused the banded form to appear there, but it does not seem likely that this aberrant colony could be due to en- vironmental causes, when its environment, at least as far as general climatic conditions are involved, was apparently more like that of the nearby black colonies than of the other banded colonies in the south. What is the genetic status of these two forms? They apparently breed true within their range of dis- tribution, since such aberrant groups as described by Mr. Morse are not frequent. They must then be genetically stable and according to present-day genetical theories there should be some physical basis for their phenotypic differences. Is the change from one to the other great enough to involve a visible cytolo- gical differentiation or is it a mutation in one gene of one chro- mosome as in the races of Drosophila and therefore not visible by present cytological methods? 90 Psyche [April The Monecphora hicincta var. hicincta material was very kindly sent to me at Woods Hole, Mass., in July, 1921, by Mr. Z. P. Metcalf and Mr. C. O. Eddy of the North Carolina Agri- cultural Experiment Station. The M. hicincta var. ignipecta material was collected at Wellesley, Mass., partly by Mr.' Morse and partly by myself. I could not find Monecphora at Woods Hole, so trusted to obtaining it in September at Welles- ley, as it was reported to be a late summer form. But the only specimens found as late as September 15 were females and they had laid their eggs and were much shrivelled in appearance. The material finally studied was collected in July, 1922 at Wellesley. A careful watch was kept from July 1 on for the first forms to appear. The first individual was taken on July 14. By July 21 the species was abundant. They appeared just as their food plant, the bunch-grass, was attaining its full growth. In looking over a field of the grass, one could pick out the Monec- phora as conspicuous black specks clinging to the grass at various distances from the ground. I did not find any nymphs in their frothy masses of spittle on these plants although I care- fully examined the young tufts of grass for some time before the adults appeared. In the Monecphora hicincta var. hicincta material sent me from North Carolina, the nymphs were on the roots of the food plants. These nymphs were not reared to as- sure their identity, but they were surrounded by a typical mass of white exudate and those old enough to contain mature sperm cells showed the same cytological conditions as the adults. Probably an examination of the roots of the young bunch-grass around Wellesley in early July, would show the habits of Monecphora hicincta var. ignipecta to be similar. The cytological study of the chromosomes of these two varieties reveals them to be identical. This was tested by camera lucida drawings placed side by side. The spermato- gonial number is 19, the primary spermatocyte 10, and the secondary spermatocyte 9 and 10. They are like other species of Cercopidse studied (Boring H3 and Boring & Fogler T5) in having an X chromosome which divides in the second spermato- cyte division. The chromosomes have the same absolute size in 1923] The Varieties of Monecphora hicincta 91 the two varieties and show the same relative size differences within the group, 2 largest, 5 medium and 3 smaller (including X). These size differences are not clean-cut enough to be always certain but they are usually discernible in the primary sperma- tocytes. Applying these facts to taxonomy, we can say that the cytology of Monecphora hicincta var. hicincta and var. ignipecta corroborates their close relationship. In some insects, as shown by the researches of McClung, Robertson and others on the grasshoppers the chromosome number is not a function of the species or genus but of the family. All species of the Acrididse have 23 chromosomes and all species of the Tettigidse have 27. A few apparent exceptions have proved to be due to fusion or breaking of certain chromosomes. The generic and specific differences are expressed in differences in chromosome size and arrangement within the given number. The degree of chromo- some similarity has been found to correspond directly to the nearness of taxonomic relationship. But so far among the Cercopidse studied each species has its own specific chromosome number so that the identity of number in the two varieties of Monecphora hicincta would substantiate their classification as varieties of the same species instead of as separate species. Philcenus lineatus has 15 as reduced number of chromosomes, while Philcenus leucophthahnus {spumarius) has 12; Aphrophora parallela has 15 while Aphrophora quadrinotata has 14 and Aphrophora spumaria (European form) has 12; Lepyronia quadrangular is has 11; Clastoptera ohtusa has 8, while Clastoptera proteus has 7; but Monecphora hicincta has 10 and Monecphora ignipecta also has 10. The change from one to the other is not great enough to involve a visible change in chromosomes. In two other species of Cercopidse the cytological study of varietal forms has been recorded; Philcenus leucophthahnus {spumarius) collected from goldenrod and wild sunflower at Woods Hole and the European form, Aphrophora spumaria, collected from grass sweepings in a meadow at Eisenach (Boring, Biol. Bull. vol. 24.). In neither case were the varieties accurately identified and named, but a wide range of color and distinctness 92 Psyche [April of marking was observed and the testes preserved from individuals representing these differences. These specimens of Philaenus were sent to Mr. Van Duzee at the time, 1912, and identified by him as all belonging to the species Philcenus leucophthahnus (spumarius) . From a study of Mr. Van Duzee’s Catalogue of the Hemiptera, 1917, I find many varieties of P. leucophthalmus recorded. The names of some of these are clearly descriptive of the somatic characters which were conspicuous in the Woods Hole material which I studied cytologically. The chromosome group in all these varietal forms was identical, the same situation as in the two varieties of Monecphora hicincta. There is there- fore cytological evidence for the present systematic classifica- tion of the varieties of Philcenus leucophthalmus and of Monec- phora hicincta as varieties instead of as separate species. In the Cercopidse specific differences seem to be correlated with dif- ference in number of chromosomes while varietal differences do not seem to be expressed in visible differences of any sort in the chrosomomes. Those few specimens of the southern banded form of Monecphora hicincta at Norridgewock, Maine, raise other interest- ing questions, especially as to which was the original form. Evidently the banded form was the firs-t one described. If it is the older, has the black form arisen from it as a result of suf- fusion? If so, what caused the return to the banded condition in those few specimens at Norridgewock? Can this be explained as a genetic reversion due to the chance recombination of genes? On the other hand, the black form may be the original which occasionally throws off banded mutants, those once thrown off in the south having firmly established themselves, those in Norridgewock being recent mutants. These questions are of course not to be answered by cytological methods. Experi- mental breeding would answer some. The cytologist must content himself with establishing these two varieties of Monec- phora hicincta as belonging within one species. 1923] Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club. 93 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB. The annual meeting was held January 9, 1923. The report of the secretary shows that ten meetings were held in 1922 with an average attendance of seventeen persons. Four members were elected, one resigned and two died. A club seal was a- dopted and is now used on the cover of Psyche. A course of six lectures on insects was given in Febuary and March, a report of which is in the record of the April meeting (Psyche vol.XXX No. I, Feb. 1923). The treasurer’s report shows that the Club’s income was increased by $124.55 from the sale of back numbers of Psyche so that all expenses of the year were paid. The following officers for 1923 were nominated and elect- ed. President A. P. Morse C. W. Johnson Executive Vice President R. Heber Howe \ O. E. Plath Committee | Secretary J. H. Emerton (Miss Priscilla Butler Treasurer Fred H. Walker Editor of Psyche C. T. Brues. Dr. C. S. Ludlow of the Army Medical Museum, Washing- ton, D. C. was elected a member. The retiring president, W. M. Wheeler, addressed the club on the relations of some Hemiptera and Diptera with ants. In most cases this relation is that of scavengers, the dipterous larvae living among the ant larvae and eating their excrement. Certain fly larvae coil around ant larvae near the head and eat food from a pouch in which is it placed by the worker ants. Some adult flies take food directly from the anus of ant larvae. Other flies hover over adult ants and take food as it passes from the mouth of one ant to another. The hemipterous Ptilocerus has unde 94 Psyche [April the abdomen a spot covered with brilliant orange hairs from which comes a secretion attractive to ants. The Ptilocerus stands near moving ants and offers them this secretion which has a narcotic effect. If sufficient is taken the ant soon be- comes helpless and the soft parts are eaten by the Ptilocerus. Miss Butler exhibited her collecting coat made of canvas, without collar or sleeves, containing 47 pockets of various sizes and shapes. C. W. Johnson described a honey bee with a single eye in the center of the head in place of the usual pair, which was shown by Mr. Du Porte of MacDonald College, Canada at the recent meeting of the Entomological Society of America. At the Febuary meeting, C. T. Brues gave an account of a new, minute hymenopterous insect from Sumatra. It has wide and thin mandibles, concave on the inner side like a pair of clam shells and a long abdominal appendage which may be either an ovipositor or a male copulatary organ. C. W. Johnson told of various new discoveries among the Diptera, especially in the family Syrphidse which he had latley reviewed with Mr. Curran of Ottawa. J. H. Emerton exhibited on the screen a large number of lantern slides of spiders and cobwebs including examples of all the principal families represented in New England. C. V. Blackburn exhibited some butterfly jewelry of original designs made in Italy. Whatever Your Question Be it the pronunciation of Bolsheviki or sov- iet, the spelling of a puzzling word — the meaning of blighty, fourth arm, etc., this Supreme Authority — WEBSTER’S NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY contains an accurate, final answer. 400,000 Words, 2700 Pages. 6000 Illustrations. Regular and India Paper Editions. G. & o. oo., sPMisroEiELr), MAse. Write for specimen pages, prices, etc., and FREE Pocket Maps if you name “Psyche”. 500 Pin Labels all alike, 50 Gents. 1000 Pin-Labels all alike, 80 Cents. Smallest Type. Pure White Ledger Paper. Not over 4 Lines nor 30 Characters (13 to a line) Additional Characters, 2 cents each, in total and per line, per 500. Trimmed. Prices subject to change without notice. G. V. BLACKBURN, 30 South St., STONEHAM 80, MASS. CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB A regular meeting of the Club is held on the second Tuesday of each month (July, August and September excepted) at 7.45 p. m. at the Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston. The Bussey Institution is one block from the Forest Hills station of both the elevated street cars and the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Entomolo- gists visiting Boston are cordially invited to attend. We are the Headquarters for Entomological Sup- plies and Specimens. Special attention is called to our hand made Schmitt boxes American Ent. Co. Steel Pins, Klaeger Pins, Life Histories of Beneficial and Injurious Insects, Type, Mimicry and Protective Coloration Collections; also Col- lections of Household, Garden, Orchard, Forest and Shade Tree Pests. Living Pupae from November to March. Exotic Insects of different orders; also Biological material for dissection. Catalogue No. 33, Entomological Supplies, free on application. WARD’S NATURAL SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT 84-102 College Ave., Rochester, N. Y. PSYCHE A JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY Established in 1874 VOL. XXX JUNE-AUGUST, 1923 NOS. 3-4 CONTENTS Occurrence, Life-cycle, and Maintenance under Artificial Conditions, of Miastor. R. C. Harris - 95 The Genus Cyrtopogon (Diptera; Asilidse). A. L. Melander - — 102 Notes on a New England Aradid. G. W. Barber - 120 On the Wing-Venation of Insects. Aug. Lameere, Translated by A. M. Brues 123 Book Review. ., 133 CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OFFICERS President . Vice-President Secretary . Treasurer Executive Committee 1923 A. P. Morse R. H. Howe, Jr. J. H. Emerton . F. H. Walker C. W. Johnson, Miss E. P. Butler ». E. Plath EDITORIAL BOARD OF PSYCHE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C. T. Brues, Harvard University ASSOCIATE EDITORS C. W. Johnson, Nathan Banks, Boston Society of Natural History. Harvard University. A. L. Melander, a. P. Morse, Washington State College. Peabody Museum. J. H. Emerton, J. G. Needham, Boston, Mass. Cornell University. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University. PSYCHE is published bi-monthly, the issues appearing in February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription price, per year, payable in advance: $2.00 to subscribers in the United States, Canada or Mexico; foreign postage, is cents extra. Single copies, 40 cents. Cheques and remittances should be addressed to Treasurer, Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Orders for back volumes, missing numbers, notices of change of address, etc., should be sent to Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. Manuscripts intended for publication, books intended for review, and other editorial matter, should be addressed to Professor C. T. Brues, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Authors contributing articles over 8 printed pages in length will be required to bear a part of the extra, expense for additional pages. This expense will be that of typesetting only, which is about $2.00 per page. The actual cost of preparing cuts for all illustrations must be borne by contributors: the expense for full page plates from line drawings is approximately $5.00 each, and for full page half-tones, $7-50 each; smaller sizes in proportion. AUTHOR’S SEPARATES. Reprints of articles may be secured by authors, if they are ordered before, or at the time proofs are received for corrections. The cost of these will be furnished by the Eiditor on appli- cation. Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Boston, Mass. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on June ag, 1918. PSYCHE VOL. XXX. JUNE- AUGUST 1923 Nos. 3-4 OCCURRENCE, LIFE-CYCLE, AND MAINTENANCE, UNDER ARTIFICIAL CONDITIONS, OF MIASTOR. By Reginald G. Hakris From the Laboratoire devolution des etres organises, Paris, Prof. Caullery, Director. The genus Miastor is extremely interesting for several rea- sons. It was in this genus that paedogenesis was discovered by Nicholas Wagner in 1861. Though at first Wagner mis- interpreted the phenomenon which he observed, and though his observations were doubted, subsequent investigation has dem- onstrated the fact of paedogenesis as well as the occurrence of polymorphism in this genus. But investigations upon Miastor have been limited, due to some extent at least, to the lack of a suitable method of maintaining the larvae of this genus in the lab- oratory. Now that a method, which will be discussed later, has been found, it seems to the writer desirable to make a short re- sume of the occurrence of Miastor, its life cycle, and polymor- phism among the larvae of the genus. Occurrence of Miastor. Miastor larvae were first observed underneath the bark of decaying trees. I have found them in France under the bark of decaying oak, chestnut, and birch logs, and in edible mush- rooms. Other observers have found Miastor larvae in many kinds of decomposing wood and in fermenting beet pulp. It may be safely concluded that their occurrence is fairly widespread in decaying logs and that they are sometimes present in other vege- 96 Psyche [June- August table matter. Their habitat is not limited to Europe. In Amer- ica Felt^ found Miastor larvae in 1910 under the partially decayed inner bark of chestnut rails. In such environments Miastor larvae usually occur in charac- teristic, compact, white colonial masses, a colony often con- taining a hundred or more individuals in close contact with each other. Among Miastor larvae occurring in mushrooms I have not observed colonial ^arrangement. Here yellow or yellowish white larvae are found singly although a single plant may con- tain many larvae directly beneath the superficial cell-layers of the stalk or between the gills of the umbrella. The Life-Cycle of Miastor. Paedogenetic reproduction maintains in this genus during the autumn, winter, and spring, until the early summer, at which time pupae occur, producing, after metamorphosis, male and female imagines. (The occurrence of pupae, however, is not limited to the early summer. I have found them in nature in October, and in the same material pupae continued to arise in the laboratory during the early winter. Though these were kept in conditions as natural as possible, at room-temperature, none of the pupae has as yet given adults, though the usual period required for this metamorphosis in Miastor is about five days. Some of the pupae have been destroyed by mould. It would seem that others, apparently in good condition, are in diapose.) The copulation of the adult flies results in the fer- tilization of the eggs which develop outside the mother into typical paedogenetic larvae, and the cycle is complete. Paedogenesis in Miastor is realized as follows: The ovaries of a typical paedogenetic larva produce eggs varying in number in different individuals, types and species. The development of larvae from the eggs occurs within the body-cavity of the mother. The embryos continue to develop at the expense of the fat- bodies, muscles and surrounding tissues of the mother larva until ipelt, E. P. Miastor americana, an account of Pedogenesis. Bull. New York State , 1911 vol. 147, pp. 82ff. 1923] Occurrence, Life-Cycle, and Maintenance of Miastor 97 a suitable growth is attained. The embryos seem to be suitably developed, and are usually active for several days previous to their escape. At the time of escape, the larva, while not full grown, is well formed, active, and capable of continuing its existence. The time required for a typical psedogenetic gen- eration is about two weeks, though the period varies with in- divuals and environmental conditions. White paedogenetic larvae produce four to ten or more embryos. Polymorphism in Miastor Larvce, In all species of Miastor larvae, which I have observed, there occur three distinct larval forms. Two are paedogenetic: viz. white and yellow paedogenetic larvae, while the third is incapable of paedogenetic reproduction; it is the pupa-larva. (1) Typical white pcedogenetic larvae. The body of the larva contains fourteen segments. In the first or head-segment are the mouth opening and two antennae. The mouth parts are arranged for sucking. The second and third segments contain the optic ganglia, and the third segment two eyes. In typical paedogenetic larvae the eyes usually touch each other at their convex surfaces. The brain is in the fourth and fifth segments. Dorsal and partially posterior to it is the brain fat body. The salivary glands are in the fifth and sixth segments on either side of the oesophagus, their ducts opening in the mouth cavity. The oesophagus extends posteriorly from the mouth and opens into the intestine in the fifth segment. In this region the intestine enlarges and folds, forming two blind appendices, which are in turn divided into two parts each. The digestive tube continues to enlarge slightly until it reaches the region of the tenth segment where it narrows into the rectum which is not functional in later stages. The intestine contains a peritropic membrane for inclosing undigested food. Four tubes of Malpighi extend anteriorly from the region of the twelfth to the tenth segment. The anus is in the fourteenth segment. Here are also two symmetrical anal flaps which are easily visible when protruded. The larva contains well developed fat-bodies, 98 Psyche [June-August filling much of the body-cavity from the sixth to the fourteenth segments. The two ovaries occur in the region of the tenth segments, and are closely connected anteriorly with fat-bodies. There are small chitinous points, arranged in four or more rows, extending around the larva between each segment from 2 to 14. Six chitinous hooks terminate the larva in the last seg- ment. There are two tracheal trunks on each side of the body, one laterally ventral, one dorsal. These have numerous cross branches, viz., one large branch connecting the two dorsal trunks in each segment from 6 to 13. From each of these branches two other minute branches extend posteriorly in each segment. Numerous branches and sub branches proceed from the ventral trunks. The dorsal and ventral trunks are connected in each segment from 6 to 13, another branch opening to the exterior on each side thus forming eight pairs of stigmata. There being no pro- truding spiracles it would seem difficult for the larvae to remain long submerged. However, larvae remain alive for long periods of time, a fortnight or more, when completely submerged in water under a cover-glass. A series of large ganglia occur ventral to the digestive tube- Locomotion results from stretching each segment and then contracting it, the process extending anteriorly. The rows of chitinous points prevent the larvae from slipping. The size of larvae varies with species, individuals, cultures and age. New born paedogenetic larvae of Miastor metraloas, average 1.35 x 0.16 mm, while paedogenetic mother-larvae at- tain a length of from 3 to 4 mm. 2) Yellow pcedogenetic larvce. Yellow forms (wanderers) are similar in general structure to white paedogenetic forms. They are extremely active. The body is usually slimmer, and the fat bodies less heavily developed than in white paedogenetic larvae. The yellow pigment seems to occur for the most part in the fat-bodies. The eyes are notice- ably larger than in other Miastor larval forms, and approach closely along their surfaces. 1923] Occurrence, Life-Cycle, and Maintenance of Miastor 99 Yellow larvae usually produce but a single embryo in the species {Miastor metraloas?) which I found in decaying wood. Yellow larvae (undescribed) occuring in mushrooms, however, produce a large number of embryos. I have frequently observed twenty embryos in a mother-larva. Neither the role of, nor the incentive factor producing, yellow forms is clear. In active yellow larvae I have observed a jumping locomotion. This seems to occur as a result of the larva bending its body until the anal chitinous hooks catch against the chitinous points of the second or third segment. Extension of the segments then tightens the tension which finally breaks with a snap re- sulting in a jump. The yellow forms are extremely active, and may often be seen lifting their heads and much of their bodies straight into the air. 3) Pupa-larvoB. Larvae which will metamorphose into pupae are immedi- ately distinguishable from other forms by means of three char- acteristic differences, though in general their structure is similar to that of white and yellow paedogenetic forms. a) In newly born living pupa-larvae the imaginal discs are visible. These occur laterally in the third, fourth and fifth seg- ments. They are not present in paedogenetic forms. b) The spathula sternalis, a structure typical of Cecidomyid larvae, occurs ventrally in the third segment of the pupa-larvae of Miastor. It is not visible in newly born living pupa-larvae, but after four or five days becomes clearly visible, due to a yellow- ish coloration which later changes to orange and dark brown. The shape of this structure differs with various species. Its function is not understood. c) The eyes of pupa-larvae do not touch as in paedogenetic forms but are usually clearly separated. The fat-bodies of pupa-larvae are extremely well developed. The larvae are active up to the time of pupation, unlike paedogene- tic larvae which of necessity become inactive with the progressive destruction of their muscles, due to the development of the embryos. 100 Psyche [June- August In Miastor as in all cyclorrhaphous diptera, the pupa is formed within the last larval skin. After the pupa-larva comes to rest the color of its skin changes from white to yellow, later to orange red and dark brown. Under optimum conditions a period of about five days is required for the metamorphosis of pupae into imagines. The causes which lead to the occurrence of the various types of larvae within a single species of Miastor are not known. I have observed all the various types occurring side by side in nature and in the laboratory. Springer’s^ belief that the yellow forms and pupa-larvae are produced by the action of light upon typical paedogenetic mothers does not seem tenable, since I have observed all types occurring in the laboratory in cultures reared in the dark as well as in those reared in the light. Method of Culture in the Laboratory. In order to carry on investigations concerning the factors regulating the life-cycle of Miastor and those causing polymor- phism among the larvae of a single species, it seemed immediately desirable to find a suitable artificial medium in which cultures might be reared in the laboratory under controlled conditions. With this in view I attempted to rear Miastor larvae on various media, finally meeting with success on a mushroom bouillon- agar innoculated with yeast. The mushroom bouillon is made by taking equal parts by weight of mushrooms and water. The mushrooms are boiled in the water for 20-30 minutes. At the end of this time the mush- rooms are withdrawn from the bouillon to which is added suffi- cient agar to make 4 per cent of the bouillon weight. The whole is heated until the agar is dissolved, when it is poured into small mouthed stock bottles stoppered with cotton, and sterilized; in this way the culture medium may be kept indefinitely. When it is needed for use, the medium is liquified in a hot water-bath and while still hot poured into culture dishes, and allowed to 2Springer, Fritz. Polymorphismus bei den Larven von Miastor metraloas. Zool. Jahrb Abth. f. Anst, vol. 40 p. 57 (1917). 1923] Occurrence, Life-Cycle, and Maintenance of Miastor 101 harden. For mass cultures of psedogenetic larvae I have found petri dishes very suitable for culture containers. Since they allow but little loss by evaporation, the water of condensation falling back upon the culture medium, the medium remains moist, suitable for the reproduction of the yeast and the growth of the larvae for some time. Larvae may be more easily removed for examination from cultures reared in petri dishes than from those maintained in deep containers. Very small petri dishes may be used for individual cultures. After the agar has hardened, a little powdered yeast is sprinkled over its surface, to which the larvae are transferred. Cultures are then placed in the incubator at 20-22 degrees Centrigrade. I have employed this culture medium for Miastor larvae of various species, and have observed in colonies reared in this way all the larval forms occurring under natural conditions. It seems then that a method has been found for rearing cultures of Miastor larvae in the laboratory under conditions which may be easily regulated. This method should be suit- able for maintaining cultures of a paedogenetic insect in the lab- oratory for class work as well as for carrying on investigations concerning the factors influencing the life-cycle and the poly- morphism of the larvae of Miastor. 102 Psyche June- August THE genus CYRTOPOGON (DIPTERA; ASILIDtE)^ By a. L. Melander. In the elaboration of Osten Sacken’s table of Cyrtopogon given in Back’s 1909 study of Robber-flies thirty species are included. This genus is particularly well represented in the Pacific States and several new forms have been discovered by western collectors since the publication of Back’s review. Ac- cordingly the following indentification table is appropriate to bring to date our knowledge of this group of especially in- teresting flies. References are given in the table to those species described since Back’s paper was published. Many of the species of Cyrtopogon exhibit sex dimorphism. This is particularly the case with those species having red an- tennae. At times the males and females look quite unlike. The males present easy recognition characters in their elaborate and brilliant sex attire, but sometimes the more modest appearing females of several species resemble each other so closely as to be differentiated with difficulty. The characters used in the table are for the most part reason- ably constant. There is some individual variation in the color of the legs and of the hairs of face, hypopleurse, scutellum, ab- domen and legs, and in the extent of interruption of the ab- dominal fasciae. Where such variations have been sufficient to cause doubt in interpreting the table, cross-references have been introduced for more accurate guidance. Types of the new species are in the writer’s collection. Key to the Species of Cyrtopogon. 1. Scutellum convex, generally long-pilose, usually shining or with touch of pollen at base, rarely pollinose among the species with long arista 2. Scutellum flattened and uniformly and quite densely pol- linose ; antennae black 32. iContribution from the Zoology Laboratory of the State College of Washington. 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 103 2. Third antennal joint red; mystax largely white or yellow;, (if halteres are blackish and face has white hairs, see longimanus; if large species with base of abdomen densely pilose, see dasyllis) 3 . Third antennal joint black 11. 3. Tibiae and tarsi more or less reddish. . 4. Legs black; claws white with black tip 10 . 4. Pile of scutellum and hypopleurae white; apex of femora reddish; mystax mostly white; pile of tibiae and pleurae very long. (Can., N. H., Ct., N. Y., Mass., Va., N. C. marginalis Lw . Pile of scutellum black; of hypopleurae more or less black; femora black ; western species 5 . 5. Front tibiae and tarsi of male silvery pilose on posterior side; wings hyaline 6 . Legs not silvery, but sometimes with yellowish white hairs fringing tarsi; pile of male abdomen more or less tufted; wings with light clouding about veins, anterior crossvein near base of discal cell 7 . 6. Male: front tibiae with fine white silky pile on outer side, becoming longer and denser apically; front tarsi with silvery hairs on anterior side of joints 2-5 in addition to the silvery hairs on posterior side; abdominal segments 1, 2 with pale yellow pile, longer on sides, remaining segments with very short hair, yellowish on 3, black on rest, segments 2-5 white-fasciate, interrupted on 4, 5. (Col.) pulcher Back Male: front tibiae with moderately long silvery pile pos- teriorly, short yellow pile anteriorly; front tarsi with yellow hairs on anterior side of first two joints; abdomen with reddish yellow pile forming dense apical bands on segments 1-4, segments 2-4 silvery fasciate. (Alta.) (Can. Ent. liv. 278, 1922) albitarsis Curran. 7. Pile of abdomen yellow or fulvous at least on first segment, tip of male abdomen blue-black, segments 2-4 with com- plete fasciae, sometimes hidden by dense pile in male; basal half of claws reddish 8 . 104 Psyche [j une-August Male abdomen with lateral tufts of black not fulvous hair, female with less tufted black and white pile, ab- domen with interrupted white pollinose fascise; claws black, front tarsi of male very long. (Or.) (Proc.Cal. Acad. Sc., 1919, 233) perspicax Cole 8. Male abdomen with black tuft on sides of second segment, a dorsal pollinose vitta on segments 2-5, female abdomen with lateral pile pale yellow and almost entirely confined to basal two segments; male front tibiae with white pubescence toward tip, tarsi yellow with ' brush of yellow- ish-white hairs along entire outer face and with black bristles inside, tarsi of female reddish; central hairs of face mixed black and white. (Wash.) . . glarealis, n. sp. Male abdomen with dense fulvous pile arranged in tufted bands across segments 2-4, no dorsal vitta, yellow pile of female abdomen continuing on third segment. . . . 9 . 9. Segments 5-7 of male abdomen with dense tufts of short black velvet pile; front tibiae and tarsi without brush on posterior side, bristles black, some white pile on extensor face of male tarsus; female with tarsal joints tipped with black and with center hairs of face white. (Cal., Wash.) aurifex O. S. Segments 5-7 of male abdomen not tufted; posterior edge of front tibiae and tarsi of male with uniform brush of white hairs containing white bristles; female with yellowish tarsi and with central hairs of face yellow. (Or., Id.) (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sc. 1919, 230.) auratus Cole 10. Thorax white-gray pollinose, markings nearly obsolete; wings hyaline; face and front heavily coated with cinere- ous pollen. Male unknown. (Cal.) cretaceus 0. S. Thorax of male black, of female brown and gray; wings of male black, of female subfuscous; male front tarsi very long, silvery on extensor side, hind tibiae and tarsi silvery pilose. (Cal., Or., Wash.) princeps O. S. 11. Style nearly as long as third joint of antennae; wings with distinct dark spots on furcations and crossveins; scutel- lum often dusted. 12. 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 105 Style evidently shorter than third joint of antennse. . . 15. 12. Thorax compressed gibbous, the undivided median stripe bearing a strong mane of long black pile and setiform hairs; scutellum margined with long black setae; costal and marginal cells hyaline; halteres black. (Wash.) maculosis Coq. Thorax convex as usual, with erect black pile but no mane; scutellar bristles less developed ; middle dorsal stripe geminate 13. 13. Costa fringed with uniform close hairs; pile of face tipped with white; halteres black. (Cal., Or., Wash., B. C.) nebulo 0. S. Costa with only microscopic hair; white tips of facial hairs less evident ; costal and marginal cells brown apically . 14 . 14. Halteres black; a single spot in first basal cell at origin of third vein. (Id., Wash.) punctipennis,n.^p, Halteres yellowish; first basal cell with two blackish spots near middle. (Wash., Or.) varipennis Coq. 15. Abdomen with dense erect pile forming a bright yellow band across middle part, and black at tip 16 . Abdomen not densely clothed but sometimes with lateral or parted tufts of pile in male 18 . 16. Style short and thick, almost square; wings hyaline; an- terior crossvein near base of discal cell; anterior tibiae and front tarsi with dense white pile on extensor face; yellow pile of abdomen confined to basal three segments. (Wash.) semitarius. n. sp. Style longer than wide; anterior crossvein near middle of discal cell; hairs of legs black aside from the fulvous re- cumbent pubescence on inside of front tibiae 17 . 17. Wings of male with large black sharply limited spot; all hairs of head black; yellow hairs of abdomen confined to segments 2-4 (Col., Id.) dasyllis Will. Wings with dark spot more suffused; hairs of face and beard yellow; yellow hairs of abdomen extending on fifth seg- ment. (Wash., Or., Id., Cal., N. Y.) ... dasylloides Will. 106 Piyche [June-August 18. At least hind tibiae in part reddish, usually anterior pairs also more or less reddish 19 . Legs entirely black, sometimes hind tibiae with dark cas- taneous tinge . . . . . . . . . . 27 . 19. Wings of male with two large black marks; vertex little excavated and heavily deep golden pollinose; mesonotum deep golden pollinose, the four corners shining; mystax golden; abdomen with yellow lateral tufts; segments 2-5 with broadly interrupted posterior fasciae. Wings of female infuscated over apical part and over end of anal cell; color of pile and pollen less deep. Anterior crossvein near middle of discal cell. (N. H., Minn., N. M., Col., Wyo., Id., Or., Wash.) himacula Walk. Wings not bimaculate; vertex more evidently excavated; 20 . 20. Abodmen of male with a large tergal patch of dense fulvous tomentum; hypopleural hairs white. (Ont.) vulneratus,n. sp. Abdomen without such mark of fulvous tomentum. . 21 . 21. Male front tarsi with recumbent silvery pile, last two joints of middle tarsi of male with disk of black hairs; 'gray pruinose marks of abdomen very small and located at hind angles of the segments. (If male front tarsi silvery but middle tarsi without disk, see tacomce.) 22 . Front tarsi without silvery recumbent hairs and middle tarsi without black disk 25 . 22. Silvery hairs of male front tarsi parted; black disk of middle tarsi confined to last two j oints 23 . Silvery hairs of front tarsi not parted, beginning on second joint; short black hairs on third joint of middle tarsi be- ginning the disk; pul villi dark brown 24 . 23. First two segments of abdomen with white pile on sides, in male contrasting with black pile on remainder; front metatarsi of male not silvery above, but densely beset on both sides below with black bristles; pulvilli whitish. (Cal., N. M., Wyo., Col.) callipedilus Lw. Abdomen with black pile over all; front metatarsi of male silvery above and not spinose beneath; pulvilli brown. (Cal.) . , cymballista O. S. 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 107 24. Scutellum and most of thorax shining; pile of abdomen yellow and black. (B. C. ,Alta., Wash.) (Can. Ent. 1922, 277) willistoni Curran. Base of scutellum and much of thorax brown pollinose; pile of abdomen yellow. (N. M., Utah, Id., Col., Neb.) plausor O. S. 25. Gray pruinose marks of abdomen confined to hind angles of segments; pile of face deep golden; pile of hypo- pleurse yellow, of abdomen yellow except at end; tibiae abruptly black on apical half. (N. S., Queb., Ont., N. H., Mass., N. Y., Ct., N. J., N. C., Fla., 111.) (If legs are entirely dark chestnut, see alleni) .... falto Walk, Gray pruinose marks following hind margins of abdominal segments; pile of face whitish, black on sides; hind tibiae not black apically 26 . 26. Hairs of hypopleurae black; abdominal fasciae narrowly interrupted, sometimes entire in female; pile of abdomen mainly black. (Col., N. M., Cal., Id., Wash., B. C.) montanus Lw. Hairs of hypopleurae white; abdominal fasciae entire; pile of abdomen white Male unknown. (Cal., N. M., Or.) leucozona Lw. 27. Middle segments of abdomen with complete fasciae; male front tarsi elongate, tarsal hairs chiefly white, long on upper side of basal three joints of hind pair, tarsal hairs of female chiefly black; hypopleural hairs black; halteres blackish brown; extensor hairs of hind tibiae white. (Cal., Wash., B. C.) (If hind tibiae are dark chestnut color, see montanus) longimanus Lw.. Fasciae of abdomen interrupted, sometimes reduced tO) lateral spots; crossveins, etc., usually clouded 28. 28. Fasciae broader than long, following the hind margins; front tarsi of male slender. 29 . Fasciae confined to hind angles of segments 30 . 29. Front tibiae and tarsi of male with not dense white pilef which does not conceal the ground-color: hind tarsi o. 108 Psyche [June-August male darker than others; claws broadly yellowish; humeri subshining, (Mont.) rufotarsus Back. Front tibiae and tarsi of male with appressed silvery pile concealing the ground-color at least of tarsus; middle tarsi darkest; claws black the base reddish; humeri and adjacent region of thorax heavily silvery- white pruinose. (Wash.) tacomce n. sp. 30. Front tarsi of male with single row of silvery pile from very base; last two joints of middle tarsi with the flat disk of black pile longer than broad; pile of abdomen yellowish white at base, black apically. (Wash., Or.) (If front metatarsi of male are not silvery, see Willistoni) pr cepes Will. Front and middle tarsi of male not ornamented. . . .31. 31. Scutellum with long black pile; mystax and hypopleurse pile black; pleurae shining above; notal pattern including mark like a tuning-fork. (N. H., N. Y., N. C.) lyratus O .S. Scutellum with short white pile; mystax partly white, hypopleural pile white; pleurae densely white pruinose. (N. H., N. C.) alleni Back. 32. Abdomen with pollinose markings at least of segments 2- 4 extending from side to side 33 . Abdominal fasciae interrupted, sometimes subinterrupted, that of first segment sometimes entire 39. 33. Greater part of middle segments of abdomen covered with gray pollen and the front angles polished; hypopleural pile white 34 . Greater part of abdominal segments shining, or if largely pollinose the pollen extending along the sides so that the front angles are not polished 36 . 34. Pollen denuded in circular spot in middle of each tergite; tibiae with many white bristles, male with brushes of white hair on front side of middle tibiae below knee and on front side of middle metatarsi. (Wash.) . . . ahlautoides, n. sp. Middle of tergites pollinose, or if shining not forming a central round spot; white hairs of legs evenly distri- buted 35 . 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 109 35. Hypopleural pile black; hairs of hypopygium yellowish white; mystax white; abdomen of both sexes gray except front angles of segments; tibial bristles white except those at tips and on front side of first pair. (Cal.) . . rattus 0. S. Hypopleural pile white; hypopygial hairs black above; mystax white and black; anterior half of male abdominal segments shining; tibial bristles black, a few pale ones on extensor side of hind tibiae of female. (Wash.) coBsius. n, sp. 36. Face convex below but not gibbous, facial pile dense and white; tibiae reddish at base; male abdomen broad, with sides and posterior margins pollinose, female abdomen narrow, anterior margins of segments 2-4 sometimes also pollinose. (Or., Wash.) (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sc. 1919, 230) anomalus Cole. Face more gibbous, its pile largely or wholly black. . . 37 . 37. Legs largely brownish red; geminate stripe of thorax dis- tinct and complete; pollen of abdomen confined to pos- terior and side margins of segments; style one-third the third antennal joint; scutellum without bristles; face and front brownish gray. (Ks., Col., N. M.) . . profusus 0. S. Legs black; scutellum with black bristles. (If scutellum with only marginal pile, see nugator female if facial hairs all black, or ccesius male if facial hairs white.) . . 38 . 38. Abdominal fasciae extending along posterior edge of seg- ments; stripes of thorax very distinct. (Cal.) evidens 0. S. Abdominal fasciae extending along anterior margin of seg- ments 2-6 but not reaching sides, posterior angles with spots of white pollen; stripes of thorax indistinct; style one-tenth the third antennal joint. (Cal.) cerussatus 0. S. 39. Legs in part reddish ; mystax black 40 . Legs black, rarely the knees alone brownish 41 . 40. Hypopleural pile whitish; mystax rather sparse; wings hyaline; mesonotum largely gray. (Ariz.) . tibialis . Coq. Hypopleural pile black; mystax dense; wings brownish apically, crossveins clouded; mesonotum largely brown. (Or.) dubius Will. no Psyche [j une-August 41. Bases and hind angles of abdominal segments pruinose, sides of first segment pruinose; anterior crossvein beyond middle of discal cell; mystax and hypopleural hairs main- ly black; thorax largely gray, marks diffuse, pleura bear of pile, scutellar margin with strong bristles. (Cal.) nigricolor Coq. No fasciae at base of segments; scutellum more or less pilose; thorax darker 42 . 42. Hypopleural pile wholly or in large part white 43 . Hypopleural pile wholly black 47 . 43. Pleurae with polished spot beneath wings; tibial bristles white; first abdominal segment with entire fascia. (N. S., Mass., N. Y. Md. Va.) lutatius Walk. Pleurae wholly pollinose and with some fine pile; tibial bristles mainly or entirely black; fascia of first segment of abdomen interrupted 44. 44. Scutellar pile pale yellow, wings hyaline; facial pile mixed white and black. (Or.) (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sc. 1921, 255) thompsoni Cole Scutellar pile black ' 45 . 45. Scutellar pile abundant; wings dark, especially in male; facial pile white in male, black in female. (Or.) (Proc. Cal. Acad. Sc. 1919, 233) infuscatus Cole. Scutellar pile sparse and marginal; facial pile black. . . 46 . 46. Tarsal claws yellowish with black tip ; wings hyaline ; median stripes as distinct as the blackish lateral spot. (Cal., Or., Wash., Id.) nugator O. S. Tarsal claws reddish at base, otherwise black; wings brown- ish hyaline ; median geminate stripe of mesonotum abbrevi- ated posteriorly and less distinct than the rich dark brown lateral spot. (Cal. Or.) .... rejectus 0. S. 47. Front and face broad, cinereous; notal marks often feeble. (Cal., Or., Wash.) sudator 0. S. Front and face relatively narrow, brownish; notal stripes coalescing, dark brown. (Cal., Ariz., N. M., Id.) positivus O.S. 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 111 Cyrtopogon ablautoides, new species Male. — Length 11 mm. Head cinereous pollinose, frontal hairs whitish, becoming black at orbits, hair of center of face dense and white with slight yellowish tinge, of sides and beneath black, hairs of occiput abundant, silvery, nearly white, antennae slender, the style one-fourth as long as third joint, its basal segment scarcely visible. Thorax dusted with yellowish-gray pollen, the geminate stripe interrupted one-third the distance in front of scutellum, lateral stripes nearly obsolete, slightly darkened in front of suture and a weaker indication behind, three strong lateral presutural bristles, four intraalar, post- alar callosities with four black bristles; hairs of notum white in front, a few blackish hairs intermixed behind, scutellum flat, brownish-gray pollinose, disc with erect white pile, margin with white pile, about six black setae, pleurae gray pollinose with yellow- ish tinge on mesopleura which also bears long white pile, tri- chostical hairs yellowish-white. Abdomen with shining or subshining anterior margins to the segments the posterior margins white pruinose, a central subshining black spot on each of segments two, three and four, sides of segments two, three and four subshining except posteriorly, the first three segments bearing dense lateral tufts of whitish yellow hair, hair of re- maining segments sparse short and white, hypopygium small and subshining black. Legs dusted, femora with whitish pile, front tibiae bristly, the bristles of extensor face stout and black, of posterior face strong and yellow, of interior face fine and setiform, flexor surface golden pubescent; middle tibiae with dense cluster of white pile at two-fifths its length on anterior face, bristles mainly whitish, similar tuft of white pile on front face of middle metatarsus; bristles of hind tibiae whitish and black mixed, claws black, pul villi alutaceous. Halteres with pale yellow knob, calypteres yellow; wings hyaline, veins narrow and black, anterior crossvein at two-fifths length of discal cell, anal cell closed or narrowly opened at margin. Female. — Apical segments of abdomen shining black. Types. — Mabton, Washington, May 3, 1911 (Melander). Paratypes from Lind, Wash. May and June (F. W. Carlson), 112 Psyche [J une-August Columbia River near Trinidad, Washington, May 1, 1919 and Wenatchee, Washington, April 12, (Melander) . Four males and six females. The species presents a curious superficial re- semblance to Ahlatus mimus O. S. with which it is associated in the sandy desert region. Cyrtopogon caesius, new species Male. — Length 9 mm. Related to C. rattus 0. S. Head heavily whitish pruinose, vertical hairs white and black mixed, facial hairs similar but longer, the black hairs predominating below, occipital pile abundant, white and very fine, third anten- nal joint long and slender, the arista not very distinct, quite as thick as end of third joint and in length about one-fourth the latter, its basal joint undeveloped. Thorax heavily polli- nose, its pile rather short sparse and black, three black lat- eral bristles and a cluster of about three postalar, four intraalar bristles, median geminate stripe black, lateral stripe interrupted at the suture so as to form a broad presutural blackish round spot and an indefinite broad postsutural stripe, front margin and humeri grayish-white ; scutellum fiat, white pruinose, its margin with black setiform hairs and white pile; pleurae uni- formly white pollinose, pectus with fine white pile, trichostical hairs dense and white. First abdominal segment entirely white pruinose, second and third segments with narrow white band on front margin and broad white band on hind margin, the inter- vening space shining black, remaining segments shining black, the hind margin broadly white pruinose, the white bands do not encroach forward on the sides of the tergites; hypopygium scarcely widening at termination of the abdomen, lateral valves cupuli- form; hairs of abdomen long tufted and white at side margins of basal three segments, largely short and black on remaining segments, under side of hypopygium with yellow hairs, tuft of grayish hairs at apex of venter. Legs entirely black, femora and posterior tibiae white pilose, front tibiae with black pile on front face, dense yellow pubescence on inner face and loose comb of black setiform hairs on both outer and flexor surfaces and another comb of black bristles on forward face, setiform 1923] The Genus Crytopogon 113 hairs of middle tibiae long and black, of hind tibiae almost bristle- like, forming rows on extensor and anterior faces, claws black, pulvilli alutaceous. Halteres of each specimen with rosy knob, calypteres yellowish; wings hyaline, veins black, anterior cross- vein at one-third the length of the discal cell, anal cell open as widely as the length of anterior crossvein or less. Female. — White hairs predominating on vertex and upper part of face, marginal bristles of scutellum stronger, white pruino- sity of abdomen more extended, the second third and fourth segments with shining narrow base, expanding as an anterior quadrate shining spot at side margin, remainder of segment white pruinose, posterior segments similarly colored except that the lateral expanse of shining area is more triangular, seventh and eight segments polished black. Tibial bristles stronger. Types. — South slope of Mount Adams, Washington, July 24, 1921. (Melander). Two males, seven females, taken at an elevation of 4000 feet. Crytopogon glarealis, new species Male. — Length 14 mm. Head with golden tomentum, upper hairs rather sparse and black, mystax black, the lowermost hairs mixed with golden, beard white, third antennal joint red- dish-yellow, style black and one-fifth the length of the third joint. Mesonotum with fulvous pollen, middle stripes very indistinct, humeri and postalar callosities shining, pollen denuded on pos- terior half of thorax except a quadrate spot next to scutellum, scutellum convex and shining except for a touch of pollen at middle of base, notal hairs sparse and black, scutellar hairs mostly black, not dense, no marginal bristles; pleurae uni- formly dusted with brown-gray pollen, meso and sternopleurse pilose, hypopleural hairs black, the lowermost brown. Ab- domen mostly polished, segments two to four with yellowish posterior fasciae, the tomentum extending along middle of seg- ments two, three, four and anterior two-thirds of segment five as a dorsal vitta, pile of abdomen entirely black, short, tufted on sides of second segment; base of hypopygium with stubby black 114 Psyche [J une-August setae, lateral valves with two terminal prongs. Coxae pollinose, the front pair with white hairs; femora shining black, flexor hairs yellowish, dorsal hairs mainly black and inconspicuous; tibiae reddish brown, hairs black except towards apex of front pair where they are whitish, bristles strong, abundant and black; anterior tarsi yellow, hind tarsi reddish, the front pair with brush of yellowish-white hairs covering outside face, inside face with conspicuous black bristles, a few black bristles on flexor face of metatarsus, bristles of posterior tarsi heavy, numerous and black; basal half of claws yellow, apical half black, pulvilli white. Knob of halteres pale yellow. Wings sub-hyaline, a slight brownish tinge at furcations, anterior crossvein at basal third of the discal cell which is nearly four times as long as broad. Female. — Prescutellar dusted area more extensive, dorsal stripe wanting on abdomen, pile of abdomen yellowish, longest on sides of basal segments. All tarsi reddish, almost no whitish hair on front tibiae and tarsi, bristles of front tarsi stronger than in male. Types. — Wolf Fork of Touchet River in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington, Three specimens, July 12-20, 1922. (V. Argo). Cyrtopogon punctipennis, new species. Male. — Length 7 . 5 mm. Closely resembling C. nehulo 0. S. but without fimbriate costa. Vertex and face black with slight violaceous tinge, thinly overlaid with white pollen, more dis- tinct along facial boundaries, pile of front fine dense and black, of face longer and more abundant, the individual hairs tipped with whitish, third antennal joint tapering, the arista nearly equal in length, slender with first segment distinct, occiput with light bluish tinge, orbits white pollinose, hairs very fine abundant and hairy. Thorax bluish-black in ground-color, median stripe of white pollen extending from neck to scutellum, dorso-central stripes of white pollen broadening behind, lateral and posterior margins largely blue pollinose, when viewed from in front the notum shows four silvery spots, the posterior ones on the suture, 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 115 the anterior ones half way to the front margin; pile abundant and black, three fine lateral bristles; scutellum convex, shining blue-black, its silky pile long and white, no bristles, pleurae uniformly and lightly cinereous dusted, ground-color blue-black, pile of pectus white, trichostichal hairs white and black mixed. Abdomen shining blue-black, extreme posterior corners of seg- ments white pruinose, pile rather sparse short and pale, becoming darker in back, hypopygium very small, sunken, venter with bluish-gray pile, the hairs very dense on apical third. Legs en- tirely blue-black, front coxae with abundant whitish pile, hairs of femora pale at base, front tibiae with a row of very long bluish hairs on posterior edge, these hairs continuing on first three tarsal joints, hind tibiae brown pubescent within, claws black, pul villi brownish. Halteres black, calypteres alutaceous; wings lightly infumated, paler along portions of the first three veins, marked with distinct blackish spots at the bases of sub- marginal cells and of first and second posterior cells, the last two spots sometimes thickened and extending basally to the cross- veins, costa blackish from end of first vein to tip of wing. Female. — Hairs somewhat shorter, notum more heavily pollinose so as to appear brownish in general color, median bi- sected stripe almost black; scutellum brownish pollinose, with about eight marginal setiform hairs; front legs marked with a prominent comb of hairs. Types. — Moscow Mountain, Idaho, various dates from May to October (Melander); Pullman Washington; Goodnoe Hills, Washington (A. C. Burrill). Cyrtopogon semitarius, new species. Male. — Length 15 mm. Resembling dasyllis. Upper part of head black with abundant black hair, facial hair mainly white, along oral margin black, beard fine and white, palpal hairs black, antennae black, style deformed, as wide as long, blunt, apically with a concavity in which the minute terminal joint is inserted. Thorax largely shining, a very narrow indistinct median line of grayish-brown dust, a mark of similar dust bear- 116 Psyche [J une- August ing the supra-alar bristles and a less extended similar mark a- bove humeri, posterior half of mesonotum and scutellum shining black; hairs of thorax abundant, erect and black, of scutellum dense and black, no bristles; pleurae with very faint touch of dust, mostly shining, black pile on meso, sterno, and hypo- pleurae, the later dense and long. Basal three segments of abdomen uniformly and densly clothed with long pale yellow hair, apical half of abdomen shining and provided with dense short black pile, tip of hypopygium with a few yellow hairs; pile of venter entirely black. Coxae and femora shining black, posterior tibiae dark castaneous, tarsi reddish; pile of front face of front coxae white, of exterior face of hind coxae yellowish white; pile of femora mostly black, that of posterior face of front femora white, femoral bristles black; pile of extensor face of anterior tibiae abundant and white, of entire hind tibiae black, inner face of front tibiae with fulvous pubescence, middle tibiae with lateral black bristles, hind tibiae with rows of black bristles, particularly on extensor, anterior and apical half of flexor faces; basal half of claws reddish, apical half black. Stem of halteres black, knob pale yellow. Wings hya- line, veins black, anterior crossvein at basal fifth of discal cell, the discal cell nearly five times as long as wide. Holotype. — Alta Vista, Mt. Rainier, Wash., July 29, 1922 (Melander). The specimen was taken from its vantage position on one of the ghost trees on the Alta Vista ridge. The structure of its style is unique but is probably not the result of a deformity, since the two antennae are alike. Cyrtopogon tacomae, new species. Closely related to C. rufotarsus Back. Ground-color entirely black, thorax beautifully marked with silvery white pattern, extensor face of front tibiae and tarsi of male densely covered with appressed silvery-white hairs, middle legs normal, anterior and extensor faces of hind tibiae of male with white hairs, front and hind tarsi sometimes fuscous. 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 117 Male. — Length 10 mm. Antennae black, third joint broad- ening underneath, thickest at two-thirds its length, style one- fourth as long as the third joint; front and face heavily silvery- gray, occiput subshining, more whitish at orbits, facial gib- bosity nearly hemispherical, its central hairs long and silvery- white, mystax entirely black, beard largely white, frontal hairs long, delicate, not abundant, black. Thorax viewed from above presenting the following pattern in dark brown pollen: a bisected median stripe contiguous with a presutural round spot, and the entire postsutural area except postalar callosities and a narrow triangle in front of the convex shining scutellum, — this brown picture changing to shining black when viewed from behind; viewed from in front the anterior portion of the mesonotum is silvery-white pruinose, but from above a posthumeral area appears subshining black; all hairs of thorax black; pleurse subshining lightly coated with brownish dust, but whitish pruinose above front coxae, on upper sterno pleura and narrowly along posterior part of mesopleura. Abdomen polished black with slight violaceous tinge, lightly dusted on apical segments, hypopygium polished, interrupted silvery-white fasciae along posterior part of segments 2-6, narrowly leaving the hind margin on segments 2, 3 but at- taining the hind edge on segments 4-6, the marks of the sixth segment less distinct, all hairs of abdomen black, those at sides of first three segments long and almost tufted. The silvery hairs of front tarsi cover the ground-color; the middle tarsi are always black, the front and hind ones sometimes are brown but usually are quite black; inner face of front tibiae and metatarsi densely coated with glistening fulvous depressed short pubescence, similar fulvous pubescence extends along posterior face of hind tibiae; pul villi and basal third of claws brown. Halteres with yellowish knob; wings with brownish tinge and with brownish markings occupying the root, auxiliary cell, furcation of veins, crossveins, and forming an oblique band along first section of third vein, the anterior crossvein at basal fifth of discal cell. Female. — Larger by one or two millimeters. Front largly lightly dusted with brown, face and central hairs less pure white. 118 Psyche [June-August Tarsi usually black, sometimes reddish, lacking the silvery or- namentation of the male, Notal picture more definite, humeri appearing subshining only when viewed from above, posthumeral spot of male appearing silvery- white, a quadrate prescutellar area emitting two anterior extensions pruinose, base of scutel- lum lightly pruinose ; whitish pruinosity of pleurae more extended, the entire mesopleura except central brown spot pruinose, pile of sides of prothorax and of sternopleura white. Hairs at base of abdomen pale yellow and less conspicuous, sides of first seg- ment also with pruinosity, sixth and following segments entirely shining black. Wing markings less distinct, auxiliary cells hyaline. Types. — Mount Rainier, Washington, various places in the natural parks visited at about 5000-6000 feet elevation. In all over ninety specimens were secured, including four collected by Dr. Aldrich. The flies were observed alighting on stones in the sunny pathways and were encountered in Paradise Park, Van Trump Park, and Indian Henry Hunting Ground, on Alta Vista, Mt. Ararat, and Crystal Mountain. A grant from the Elizabeth Thomspon Science fund for the purpose of studying the alpine insects of Mount Rainier made possible the securing of much of the type material. Para- types have been deposited in the National Museum, the Canadian National Museum, the Museum of Comparative Zoology of Harvard and the Philadelphia Academy of Science. Cyrtopogon vulneratus, new species. Male. — Length 10 mm. Readily distinct in having a large spot of heavy fulvous tomentum beginning at middle of second segment of abdomen and reaching to hind margin of fifth. Front and face thickly clothed with pale golden tomentum, a denuded spot between antennae and front ocellus, facial hairs yellow, mystax black, frontal hairs sparse, fine and black: upper occiput rather lightly dusted with dull yellow pollen, brighter along orbits, a denuded spot underneath each ocellus, hairs sparse and black, lower occiput with brighter yellow dust, beard silky 1923] The Genus Cyrtopogon 119 delicate and white; antennae black, basal joints equal, hairs few and black, third joint slightly longer than basal joints together, style acuminate, one-eigth the length of the third joint. Pronotum shining black, a median inverted trianglar mark and a subhumeral spot of golden pollen, sides with tuft of white pile; mesonotum tomentose except postalar callosities and adjacent area, median geminate stripe light brown, interrupted a short distance behind suture, the usual broad lateral stripe consisting of a vaguely rounded mark on each side of suture, humeri golden, front part of mesonotum golden-gray, rear middle part cinereous; notal hairs short, sparse and black, lateral bristles black; scutellum convex, shining black, a touch of yellow pollen at base, no discal hairs, marginal hairs sparse and black; pleurse lightly cinereous, more golden above, pteropleura shining, tri- chostichal hairs white. Abdomen slender, shining, sides of first segment with tufted white pile, of second segment with looser white hairs, third and fourth segment with short fulvous hairs: fifth, sixth and seventh segments and hypopygium with black hairs, posterior margins of second to fifth segments laterally golden tomentose, hypopygium globose, wider than termination of abdomen; venter black, hairs yellow. Femora black, tibiae and tarsi reddish except apex, hairs largely whitish, bristles black, two strong yellow bristles near middle of anterior face of hind femora, inner face of front and hind tibiae with close deep golden pubescence, claws black with brown base. Halteres and calypteres yellow, wings broad and hyaline, veins piceous, yel- lowish at base, a very faint cloud over crossveins, anterior cross- vein at one-fifth length of discal cell, anal cell briefly open. Holotype. — Coniston, Ontario, 27, July (H. S. Parish). 120 Psyche [jiine-August NOTES ON A NEW ENGLAND ARADID. By Geo. W. Barbee. Bureau of Entomology; U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. Among the species of the very interesting family Aradidce that occur in New England is Aradus ^-lineatus Say.* It is not uncommon, being found beneath the bark of dead trees, par- ticularly old stumps and logs where the fungus on which it feeds grows abundantly. On this fungus the eggs are laid and the young feed. Fig. 1. Aradus 4-lineatus Say. From left to right, adult female, adult male, full-grown nymphs. The eggs are closely cemented to the fungus and those which I have seen, always laid singly, oviposition continuing for some time. During 1920 one female in a cage deposited 13 eggs from May 16 to June 2 In 1922 eggs were obatined from June 14 to June 18. In all, ten eggs hatched in from 16 to 18 days the av- erage incubation period being 17.8 days. Six first instar nymphs moulted in fron 8 to 13 days, the average length of the first instar being 11.1 days. Males that I confined in cages lived from 28 to 30 days, females from 14 to 35 days. ^Determined by H. M. Parshley. 1923] Notes on a New England Aradid 121 Lugger, in the 6th. Rep. Div. Ent. Minnesota. St. Exp. Sta. 1900 p. 40 described the egg of an Aradid, probably Aradus ro- bustus Uhl. as follows; ‘Rhe eggs glistening white in color are deposited under the bark.” Heidman, 1911 — Proc. Ent. Soc. Wash. XIII p. 134 de- scribed the egg of an Aradid, Neurocienus simplex as ;^‘Egg a- bout 1mm. long 5mm. wide; laid in a heap numbering from 20 to 60 or more. Chorion whitish, irregular, coarse, hexagonal; no apical cap; the chorial processes seem to be wanting.” The egg of Aradus ^-lineatus Say is quite different in structure and the habit of oviposition is dissimilar. It differs in structure particularly in the flattened ventral surface and in possessing both a distinct cap and chorial processes, altho the latter are very minute and inconspicuous. The habit of oviposition differs in that all those which I have seen are de- posited singly as previously mentioned. Fig. 2. Aradus 4 lineatus Say. a, first instar nymph; b, apical joint of antennae of first instar nymph; c, egg, viewed laterally; d, corial process of egg. 122 Psyche [June- August THE EGG. Length 1 . 2 mm. ; width at middle . 8 mm. ; thickness at middle .425 mm. Color, light red, smooth, moderately shining; viewed dor- sally oval, narrowing towards the cap; flattened ventrally for a half to three fourths of its surface where it adheres to the fungus, the cap somewhat raised; cap not prominent, chorial processes ten in number, placed in a circle about the cap, minute, cup- shaped, raised but little above the chorion, a white hemispherical protuberance sometimes protrudes from the apex. THE FIRST INSTAR NYMPH. Length 1.2 mm.; width .7 mm. Color light red, the legs lighter, nearly cream color, femura lighter red, apical joint of antennae and eyes dark; general aspect of body flattened; head with a groove rising before each eye, curving towards the Pos- terior line of the head, which it nearly attains, and somewhat towards the median line; eyes moderately prominent; beak scarcely reaching the anterior edge of the third ventral segment; antennae one third the length of the body, 4-jointed, apical joint widest, as long as the third and fourth together, minutely and sparsely tuberculate, apically bearing a few very minute hairs; thorax slightly wider than eyes; abdomen evenly rounded at the sides, a third longer than the thorax and somewhat broader; edge of the thorax and abdomen foliaceous. 1923] The Wing-Venation of Insects 123 ON THE WING-VENATION OF INSECTS By Aug. Lameere. Translated by Austin M. Brues The admirable method discovered by Comstock and Need- ham/ of showing homologies in the wing neuration of various types of insects does not allow us, unfortunately, to discover veins which have disappeared during the course of evolution. It is absolutely necessary to make a study of fossil forms in order to complete the ontogenetic data by means of information derived from the connections and topography of the veins in ancestral types which no longer exist. No living insect possesses neuration as complete as that of many fossils from the coal measures; the result is that Comstock’s^ scheme of the fundamental primitive neuration is inexact, for it is based on living Perlids. To take this scheme as a basis of comparison leads to confusing entirely different veins under the same heading. That is what has happened notably with the Ep- hemerids and Odonata, of which the neuration does not seem to me to have been well understood. We know that ontogentic study shows two tracheae pene- trating the wing; the ramifications of the anterior trachea cor- respond to the costal, sub-costal, radial, and median nervures; those of the posterior trachea correspond to the cubital and the three anal nervures. The radial nervure presents two branches: the radial, strictly speaking, and its sector. In the wings of the Ephemerids, the Odonata, and the Proto- hemiptera from the coal measures, the median nervure forks, not far from the base of the wing, into two branches which I have termed the anterior median and the posterior median^; that is to say the median has exactly the same configuration as the radial, so that the posterior median can be considered as the sector of the anertior median. The comparison of the form of the median iSurla nervation alaire des Insectes. Bull. Clasp, des Sci. Acad. Roy. Belgique, 1922 pp. 38-149. 124 Psyche J une-August with that of the radial follows, if it is assumed that the radial is a high nervure while its sector is a low nervuref then the an- terior median is a high nervure, the posterior a low nervure. The sector of the median is missing in the Perlids and con- sequently does not figure in Comstock’s scheme. I have shown that this nervure is very short and that it rejoins the cubital, or rather that it is completely lost in all the Orthoptera {sensu latissimo, including the Perlids) ; Tilly ard has also shown that the same thing happens to the sector of the median (which he calls M^) in the Holometabola.^ The cubital nervure has a configuration exactly like that of the radial and median; even nearer the base of the wing than does the median, it divides into two branches, an upper anterior, which I have called anterior cubital, and a lower posterior, the the posterior cubital, which is in a way the sector of the cubital . Thus radial, median, and cubital show an identical form among the primitive insects, consisting of an upper vein followed by a lower sector. Now we may ask if the same plan does not apply to the other nervures. The costal is a high nervure, the sub-costal a low nervure, although the sub-costal appears not to be a branch of the costal, but arises directly behind the costal from the anterior tracheal (trunk) of the wing, it seems to me that we must admit that the sub-costal is the sector of the costal. In the living insects only three anal nervures are found; but an examination of the fossils from the coal measures shows that there are apparently many more, for they are branched. I distinguish a first upper anal, a second lower anal, a third upper anal followed frequently by lower branches. I believe that we find but two anal nervures, the so-called second anal being the sector of the first. The wing thus contains six (principal) nervures, three forming the anterior group: the costal, the radial, the median; and three belonging to the posterior group: the cubital, a first anal (lA) which we may call the penultimate, and a second anal 1923] The Wing-Venation of Insects 125 (3A) which we may call the ultimate] each of these six nervures is high and has a low sector. Consequently we return, in the oldest insects known, to that regular alternation of high nervures and low nervures in- cluded in Adolph’s old hypothesis. We can even use the nomenclature of J. Redtenbacher, accepted by C. Brongniart, numbering the nervures from I to XII, the odd numbers designating the primary nervures and the even numbers their sectors. To adapt these ideas to the nomenclature of Comstock and Needhan, which is today universally accepted, I propose to designate all the sectors by the names of their respective nervures, adding to these names the prefix sub. Then we shall have in the first group: the costal, high (C or I), with the sub-costal, low (Sc or II): the radial, high (R or III) with the sub-radial, low (Sr or IV) : the median, high (M or V), with the sub-median, low (Sm or VI) and, in the second group: the cubital, high (Cu or VII), with the sub- cubital, low (Scu or VIII): the penultimate, high (P or IX), with the sub-penultimate, low (Sp or X) : the ultimate, high (U or XI), with the sub-ultimate, low (Su or XII). The sub-radial, the median, the sub-median, the cubital and the sub-cubital are each forked twice in the primitive insects, giving two limbs and four branches; we have then, adapting the the data to the accepted nomenclature: Sr^, SP, Sr^, Sr%; Mb Mb M3, Mb Smb Smb Sm3, SmS Cub Cub Cu3, Cm; Scub SciP, Scu3, Scm. The general evolution of insect wings is characterized by a lengthening which is concurrent with a diminution of the breadth; this phenomenon has been accompanied by the disappearance of certain longitudinal nervures; but these are not the same nervures which have disappeared if we consider the two great groups of Pterygota; a misunderstanding of this fact has caused a regret- table confusion. With all the insects whose embryogeny has caused them to be called Ectoblastic^ — that is to say the Paurometabola (sensu latissimo, the Orthoptera) and the Holometabola, — we have made 126 Psyche June- August mention of them above, — the sub-median as is reduced to a very short nervure rejoining the cubital, or perhaps as is more fre- quently the case, it aborts completely. What is called the median in the Pterygota (M^, Mb M^) is then really our own median, that is to say the upper anterior branch of the third nervure of the first group, and there is no change in the terminology. As for the Endoblastic Pterygota (Subulicornia and Rhyn- chota) more primitive than the Ecoblastic forms, it is entirely otherwise. Here the neuration is complete, or rather if the longitudinal nervures disappear it is never the sub-median alone, but very often the anterior median and also the anterior cubital, the narrowing of the wing ordinarily involving the spaces ad- jacent to the sub-median. This I shall have to show by palaB- ontology, for the ontogeny of living forms not only has been in- sufficient to show this peculiarity, but has at the same time led zoologists to form totally erroneous homologies. It is in the Ephemeroptera of the group Spilapteridse from the coal measures that we meet with the most complete neuration; this suits our scheme completely (e. g. Lamproptilia Ch. Brongn.) in certain genera, however, the anterior median and anterior cubital may be simple; that is, not branched. Everyone agrees in considering the Stephanian genus Triplosoha Handl. (Blanchardia Ch. Brongn.), type of the Protephemeroidea, as the precursor of the real Ephemeroidea, which are found already in the Permian; the neuration is the same as that of the Spilapteridse, in which the anterior median and cubital are represented by a simple nervure (e. g., Apopappus Handl.); but there are adventitious sectors in the sub-radial, sub-median, and sub-cubital spaces; the sub-median is simply forked, and between its branches is an adventitious sector.^ Now if we compare the wing of the Ephemeroids of the Permian, Secondary, Tertiary and the present day to that of Triplosoba, the configuration and connections show at once that the lower nervures considered by Comstock as and with the adventitious sectors between, correspond to Sr^ and Sr^ of Triplosoba, that is to say, the sector of the radial has been wrongly considered a branch of the median, because of the fact 1923] The Wing-Venation of Insects 127 that the latter is reunited at the base, which, from a morpho” logical standpoint, is of only relative importance; it is seen that Comstock’s and with the adventitious sector between, are Sm^ and Sm^; that Cu^ and Cu^, low nervures, with the adventitious sector between, are Scu^ and Scu^; that lA, high, isP; 2A, lowAsSp; 3A, high, isU. The high nervures M and Cu, which are present and simple in Triplosoba, are missing between Sr^ and Sm^, in some cases, between Sm^ and Scui in others; we may consider that they have disappeared, in consequence of the narrowing of the wing, a change which becomes very marked with the Protereismidse of the Permian.^ It is very interesting to show the Sm and its branches are high in the Ephemeroidea, while these nervures are low in Tri- plosoha, which brings back the regular alternation of high and low nervures broken up by the disappearance of the adjacent high nervures M and Cu. The wings of the Ephemeroidea differ from those of the Protephemeroidea by the reunion of the median with the sector of the radial near the base of the wing, by the disappearance of the anterior high median and cubital, the sub-median and sub-cubital alone remaining, the sub-median having become a high nervure. Following the conclusion of a work by Miss Morgan® Comstock agreed that in the Ephemeroidea the radial sector is represented by a small trachea arising from the radial, not far from the extremity of the wing; he considered as belonging to the sector of the radial the two final added sectors situated in the space which I have called sub-radial, and in which it makes a median space. These authors tried to discover in the wing of the Ephemeroidea the sector of the radial which they did not see, taking it for a branch of the median, and they sought the solution in a comparison with the wing of the Odonata. None of Miss Morgan’s drawings seem to me convincing; the numerous preparations of young larvae of Ephemeroidea of different genera Baetis, Cloeon, Leptophlehia, Ccenis) made at the Overmeire biological station by Mr. Paul Brien, student-assis- 128 Psyche June- August tant, have shown us nothing which recalls anything of the singular arrangement existing among the Odonata of the group Anisoptera. We have not seen the small sector trachea des- cribed by Miss Morgan; supposing that it really does exist, it has only the value of an adventitious trachea, the only value which can also be attributed to the famous trachea which, according to Comstock and Needham, represented the sector of the radial in the Odonata. Tillyard, to whom we are indebted for so many fine works on living and fossil insects, recently confirmed the opinion that the subnodal sector of de Selys-Longchamps among the Lib. ellulidse is the sector of the radial crossing the median nervure.^o I was for a long time persuaded that this nervure, absent in the Zygoptera, as Tillyard has shown is an additional simple nervure serving in the Anisoptera to close up the sub-radial space which was enlarged during the course of evolution; this nervure, which may be called the secant (S), is a physiological realization of what exists in the Neuroptera, where the enlarged sub-radial space is closed by a supplementary branch of the radial sector. Tillyard’s conclusion is that the neuration of the Odonata can be interpreted only by palaeontology. Here is the reply which I believe I can support, using as a basis what we have learned from the evolution of neuration in the Ephemeroidea, and what the evolution of the Odonatoptera shows us. In the Odonata, the nervures which all present-day ento- mologists consider as M^, M2, Ms and M^ are with me the four branches of the sector of the radial, Sr^, Si*2, Sr,^ Sr^, the sector of the radial being, as in the Ephemeroidea, reunited at the base of the median; the upper anterior median (iff) is represented alone by the high nervure at present designated by the symbol MS’ the posterior median (iSm) is absent; the anterior cubital iCu) has disappeared, as in the Ephemeroidea; the nervure considered as Cu^, low nervure, is the sector of the cubical (Scu); the nervure considered as Cu^, upper nervure, is the first anal or penultimate (P), reunited at the base of the sub-cubital, 1923] The Wing-Venation of Insects 129 the nervure lA of current usage, high, is the third anal or ultimate ([/), partly attached to the penultimate. The neuration of the wing of the Libellulidse would not be exactly similar to that of the Ephemeroidea, contrary to what has been considered heretofore, and the comparison which has been made with that of Ectoblastic insects is rather lame. The evolution of fossil Odonatoptera, which I have been able to study at the Paris Museum, will show us this. • In the Dictyoneuridae of the coal measures the primitive neuration is complete and typical, but very often the anterior median and anterior cubital are simple (as in the genus Steno- dictya Ch. Brongn.) Dictyoptilus Ch. Brongn., of the Stephanien, has a more elongated wing; the median is contiguous to the radial at the base of the wing, which gives a small pre-costal space, — all characters which are accentuated in the Protodonata^ These last have the median confused with the radial at the base of the wing, and the radial sector arises from the median, as in the Ephemeroidea. Let us now consider Meganeura Monyi of Ch. Brongniart, the giant Libellulid of Commentry, and compare its neuration, on one hand with that of Dictoptilus, on the other hand with that of the Odonata, the nervures being for the latter designated according to their current names. ^ In Meganeura, we see, leaving the common trunk which leads to the radial, a nervure which soon divides into a lower anterior and an upper posterior nervure; the first (BrongniarCsV) corresponds evidently to the radial sector in Dictyoptilus, and it divides, as in the latter; into two low nervures Brongniart’s IV and V) in which we recognize, on one hand, M^ ^ ]y[g. on the other, M3, of the Odonata; the second (Brongniart’s VII) is the median in Dictyoptilus, which is reunited to the radial at the base of the latter’s sector; this median is divided into a high nervure, the anterior median, in which we recognize M^ of the iSee the fine photographic reproductions of the wing of Dictyoptilus {Cockerelliella) sepultus F. Meun, published by Boule in the Annales de Paleontologie, vo. 7, pi. 7, figs. 4, 4a. 2The figure of the wings of Meganeura monyi in the work of Brongniart (PI. 42) is correct; in Handlirsch the fore wing is in part inaccurate. 130 Psyche June- August Odanta, and a low nervure, the posterior median; this last the Odonata, and a low nervure, the posterior median; this last is missing in the Odonata, which have retained only the upper anterior median. From the base of the wing of Meganeura, a little behind the radio-median trunk arises a long, winding, simple nerve (Brongniart’s VIII) which is very low; comparison with Dic- tyoptilus shows that it must be the posterior cubital (Scu), as the anterior upper cubital which approaches very near to the posterior median in Dictyoptilus is evidently absent. It is certain that this nervure Scu is represented in the Odonata by the low nervure at present known as Cu^ Still a third nervure leaves the base of the wing of Mega- neura; it is parallel to the posterior cubital and is high (Bron- gniart’s IX); almost on the level at which the radial detaches itself from its sector and from the median, this high nervure gives rise to a low nervure (Brongniart’s X) ; we now have the first and second anal, the penultimate nervure with its sector, and this nervure corresponds to Cu- of the Odonata. We know that in the Odonata a trachea gives rise to Cu^ and Cu2, these nervures proceeding from a common trunk, and another trachea furnishes the nervure designated as lA; this last attaches itself very near the base of the wing to the common trunk of Cu^ and Cu^, and then becomes independent. We have the same thing with Meganeura and even probably with Dictyoptilus; no attention has been paid to it, because Ch, Brongniart has neither seen nor figured anything, except in Meganeura; between the base of the wing and the level of the division of the penultimate into P and Sp, there exists an obli- que nervure which attaches the cubital again to the last nervure arising from the base of the wing. ^It is evidently a case of an anastomosis between the cubital and the penultimate, the latter proceeding thus from the cubital, as in the Odonata. So the last nervure which leaves the base of the wing in Meganeura is iThis oblique nervure is immediately recognizable in the photographic reproduction of a wing-fragment of Meganeura, given by Bolton (Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., vol. 70 (1914), pi. 18, fig. 1) and in that of another Meganeura published by Boule (Ann. de Paleont, vol. 4 (1909) pi. 17, fig. 2); E. H. Sellards has figured it in Typus permianus (American Journ. Sci., vol. 23 (1907), p. 250, fig. 1, p. 252, fig. 2. 1923] The Wing-V eolation of Insects 131 only the ultimate; it corresponds to lA in the Odonata, and, just as with the latter, it is attached along a certain length to the nervure which precedes it, supporting the secondary ner- vures which are opposite in direction to those which are sup- ported by the sector of the penultimate. The Protodonata also seem to have three anal nervures, P, and S'p and U, U rejoining the common trunk of P and Sp after this has left Scu. In the Odonata, on account of the attenuation of the base of the wing, the attachment of the sub-cubital and penultimate extends farther than in the Protodonata, the sub-penultimate is missing, and the ultimate is attached in part to the portion common to, Scu and P. The essential differentiation between the Protodonata and Dictyoptilus lies in the reunion of the median to the base of the radial and the disappearance of the anterior cubital; the Odonata are derived from the Protodonata by the suppression of the posterior median and of the sector of the penultimate nervure. It remains for us only to inspect the neuration of the Rhyn- chota. Is what we call the median in Endoblastic insects the nervure Sm of the Subulicornia or rather the nervure M of the Ectoblastic insects? The study of existing forms does not permit us to decide. Let us then have recourse to paljeontology. The numerous Protohemiptera of the coal measures^^ offer a complete wing-neuration ; but in all the anterior median is simple, and the anterior cubital is ordinarily so. The real Hemiptera, Rhynchota which undoubtedly des- cend from the Protohemiptera and ot which a representative is known in the Stephanian, have a forked median and cubital, and the two branches of these are ramified. It is sufficient to consider the neuration of the permian genera Scytinoptera and Prosbole, in Handlirsch’s Atlas to be presuaded that with neither the Homoptera nor the Heteroptera is there an anterior median or an anterior cubital, that the position of these nervures is occupied by a great empty space and that the two forked nervures are the sector of the median and the sector of the cubital. The evolution of neuration in the Hemiptera thus takes 132 Psyche June-August place in the same way as with the Ephemeroptera, a new proof that the Endoblastic insects may be placed opposite to the Ectoblastic in classification. Conclusion. The scheme of primordial wing neuration worked out by Comstock is useful only for Ectoblastic insects, which have lost the posterior branch of the median nervure, and that since their appearance in the coal measures. The Endoblastic forms, Subulicornia and Rhynchota have, for the most part, in the coal measures, a complete neuration conform- ing to a scheme in which six low nervures alternate with six high nervures ; those between in which the wings do not agree with this type, notably all the forms which have persisted beyond the Per- mian, have lost other longitudinal nervures than the Ectoblasts. The Ephemeroptera, the Protodonata, the Odonata, and the Hemiptera do not possess the anterior branch of the cubital nervure; the Ephemeroptera and Hemiptera lack also the anterior branch of the median nervure; the Protodonata, as well as the Odonata, have retained this, but the Odonata have lost the posterior branch of the median nervure. REFERENCES 1. Comstock, J. H. & J. G. Needam, The Wings of Insects. American Naturalist, vol. 32, p. 43 (1918). 2. Comstock, J. H. The Wings of Insects. Ithaca. (1918). 3. Lameere, A. Revision sommaire des Insectes fossiles du Stephanien de Commentry. Bull. Mus. Paris, p. 141. 4. Tillyard, R. J. The Panorpid Complex, Part 3. The Wing-venation. Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, vol. 44, p. 533 (1919). 5. Lameere, A. La vie des Insectes aux temps primaires. Rev. gen. Sci., vol. 29, p 5 (1918). 6. Lameere, A. Paleodictyopteres et Subulicornes. Bull. Soc. Entom. France p. 101 (1917). 7. Lameere, A. Etude sur I’Evolution des Ephemeres. Bull. Soc. Zool. France, vol. 42, p. 41 (1917). 8. Sellards, E. H. Types of Permian Insects. II. Plectoptera. American Journ. Sci., vol. 23, p. 345. 9. Morgan, A. H. Homologies in the Wing-viens of May-flies. Ann. Entom. Soc. America, vol. 5, p. 89 (1912). 10. Tillyard, R. J. New Researches upon the Problem of the Wing- venation of Odonata. Entom. News, vol. 33, p. 45 (1922). 11. Tillyard, R. J. On the Development of the Wing- venation in Zygop- terous Dragonflies, with Special Reference to Calopterygidae. Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, vol. 40, p. 212(1915). 12. Lameere, A. Note sur les Insectes houillers de Commentry. Bull. Soc, Zool, France, vol. 42, p. 27 (1917). 1923] Book Review 133 BOOK REVIEW “Les Termites. Partie Generale.” by E. Hegh. Bruxelles, September 1922. published by Imprimerie Industrielle & Financiere (Societe Anonyme), 4 rue de Berlaimont, Bruxelles. Price $6.00. 756 pp., 460 figs. Review by Alfred Emerson, Department of Zoology, University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Hegh has done a remarkable piece of work in the gathering of information and the arranging of facts which have been brought together in this large book (756 pages) profusely illustrated with the best drawings and photographs which have been published on termites. It is a compilation, but a compilation of such thoroughness that one has no hesitation in pronouncing it as valuable to students of termites and to entomologists in general as new extended observations on the insects would be. Although ter- mites (Isoptera) constitute one of the smaller orders, there being a little over 1000 species described and a bibliography of a little more than 1200 titles, the gathering of all the important biological material is an enormous task. Everything known at the present time concerning the biology of this fascinating group of social insects is dealt with; their geographical distribution; their caste system and the function of the various castes in all the groups of termites ; their nourishment and modes of obtaining it; their nests, the classi- fication and construction of the nest; their predaceous enemies, parasites, termitophiles, and associates; their influence on vegetation and physiography; the utilization of termites as food by man; these and many other subjects are dealt with in a most thorough manner. An extended bibliography is added with a list of the African species. The economic problems are not emphasized although many photographs of their damage are given and their feeding habits are discussed at great length. Methods of control are not discussed. It is a monograph on the biology of this group. Of course the errors made by the various students of termites 134 Psyehe [j une-August have been prepetuated in various parts, each statement, how- ever, being ascribed to the authority. As a whole the information given represents the viewpoint of the modern investigators and observers of termites. This book should be in every entomological library and undoubtedly will be the best reference and source book on this order of insects yet written and likely to be written for many years. Whatever Your Question Be it the pronunciation of Bolsheviki or sov- iet, the spelling of a puzzling word — the meaning of Mighty, fourth arm, etc., this Supreme Authority — WEBSTER’S NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY contains an accurate, final answer. 400,000 Words, 2700 Pages. 6000 Illustrations, Regular and India Paper Editions. G. & C. MERMAM: CO., M.A.SS. Write for specimen pages, prices, etc., and FREE Pocket Maps if you name "Psyche”. 500 Pin Labels all alike, 50 Gents. , 1000 Pin-Labels all alike, 80 Gents. Smallest Type. Pure White Ledger Paper. Not over 4 Lines nor 30 Characters (13 to a line) Additional Characters, 2 cents each, in total and per line, per 500. Trimmed. Prices subject to change without notice. G. V. BLAGKBURN, 30 South St., STONEHAM 80, MASS. CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB A regular meeting of the Club is held on the second Tuesday of each month (July, August and September excepted) at 7.45 p. m. at the Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston. The BuvSsey Institution is one block from the Forest Hills station of both the elevated street cars and the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Entomolo- gists visiting Boston are cordially invited to attend. We are the Headquarters for Entomological Sup- plies and Specimens. Special attention is called to our hand made Schmitt boxes American Ent. Go. Steel Pins, Klaeger Pins, Life Histories of Beneficial and Injurious Insects, Type, Mimicry and Protective Coloration Collections; also Col- lections of Household, Garden, Orchard, Forest and Shade Tree Pests. Living Pupae from November to March. Exotic Insects of dif ferent orders ; also Biological material for dissection. Catalogue No. 33, Entomological Supplies, free on application. WARD’S NATURAL SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT 84-102 College Ave., Rochester, N. Y. PSYCHE A JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY Established in 1874 VOL. XXX OCTOBER 1923 No. 5 CONTENTS The Genus Lasiopogon (Diptera, Asilidae). A.L. Melander 135 Observations on the So-called Trumpeter in Bumblebee Colonies. O.E.Plath 146 A Note on a Recently Introduced Leafhopper. G.H. Barber 155 Flower Visits of Insects. Charles Robertson 158 A New Genus of Mayflies from the Miocene of Florissant, Colorado. T. D. A. Cockerell 170 Utah Varieties of a Rose Root Gall Wasp (Hymenoptera). A.R.Hubter 173 CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB President . OFFICERS FOR 1923 A. P. Morse Vice-President R. H. Howe, Jr. Secretary . J. H. Emerton Treasurer . F. H. Walker Executive Committee . C. W. Johnson, Miss E. P. Butler 0. E. Plath EDITORIAL BOARD OF PSYCHE C. T. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Brues, Harvard University C. W. Johnson, ASSOCIATE EDITORS Nathan Banks, Boston Society of Natural History. Harvard University . A. L. Melander, A. P. Morse, Washington State College. Peabody Museum. J. H. Emerton, J. G. Needham, Boston, Mass. Cornell University. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University. PSYCHE is published bi-monthly, the issues appearing in February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription price, per year, payable in advance: $2.00 to subscribers in the United States, Canada or Mexico; foreign postage, 15 cents extra. Single copies, 40 cents. Cheques and remittances should be addressed to Treasurer, Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Orders for back volumes, missing numbers, notices of change of address, etc., should be sent to Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. Manuscripts intended for publication, books intended for review, and other editorial matter, should be addressed to Professor C. T. Brues, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Authors contributing articles over 8 printed pages in length will be required to bear a part of the extra, expense for additional pages. This expense will be that of typesetting only, which is about $2.00 per page. The actual cost of preparing cuts for all illustrations must be borne by contributors: the expense for full page plates from line drawings is approximately $5.00 each, and for full page half-tones, $7-S0 each; smaller sizes in proportion. AUTHOR’S SEPARATES. Reprints of articles may be secured by authors, if they are ordered before, or at the time proofs are received for corrections. The cost of these will be furnished by the Editor on appli- cation. Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Boston, Mass. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on June 29, 1918. PSYCHE VOL. XXX. OCTOBER 1923 No. 5 THE GENUS LASIOPOGON (DIPTERA, ASILIDiE)^ By a. L. MEi^ANDER. State College, Pullman, Wash. The genus Lasiopogon is represented in the western states by several common species, some of which are undescribed. As characters separating these species are not difficult to discern the following table is presented in order to bring to date our knowledge of the species of this genus. If male specimens are available identification is facilitated, since distinctive characters are offered by the genitalia. The species of Lasiopogon and Cyrtopogon have the face strongly gibbose, thus forming a natural group in the Dasy- pogoninse. At first sight they appear to intergrade, but the two genera are quite distinct in several characters. The species of Lasiopogon are browner in general color, and have the abdomen nearly parallel-sided. They possess a vertical row of setse on the hypopleurse, lack the short first segment of the arista, and have the anal cell closed just within the margin. Cyrtopogon presents a more tapering abdomen, usually more pilose, the hypopleurse with patch of fine pile, the trichostichal hairs, in place of bristles, the basal joint of the arista usually distinct, and the anal cell usually narrowly open. The male genitalia are different in the two genera; in Lasiopogon the lateral valves are most prominent, the lower valves being undeveloped, the dorsal side is deeply emarginate and furnished with a distinctive fringe; in Cyrtopogaon the lower valves are usually large and there is no dorsal fringe of setae. The species of Lasiopogon known from North America are separable on the characters given in the following key. Most of the species appear to be western in their distribution. The 1 Cuntribution from the Zoology Laboratory of the State College of Washington. 136 Psyche [October structure of the hypopygium affords the most reliable distinc- tions for identifying the species, and fortunately can be easily discerned without relaxing. Key to the Neartic Species of Lasiopogon. 1 . Bristles of body and legs wholly or in part whitish ; mystax white; abdomen rather dull 2. Bristles black (not including the long straggling white seti- form hairs sometimes present on underside of femora) . . . 5 . 2. Legs entirely black, coated with gray pollen 3 . Front tibiae with basal two-thirds and middle tibiae with base yellowish ; median and lateral stripes of thorax brown- ish median stripe very feebly divided by a paler line; ab- domen dusted with blackish brown, hind margins gray. (Ariz.) arizonensis Schaeffer 3. Abodmen sericeous with short and long white pile; hypopy- gium with yellow fringe at base above; thorax bivittate on dorsocentral rows, (on sand. Pacific Coast) 4 . Abdomen less pilose, base of segments rufous; thorax with four nearly median brown vittse. {KQhc.).quadrivittata Jones 4. Lateral valves of hypopygium emarginate at apex and with a rectangular corner at end of upper edge ; bristles typically wholly whitish; scutellum lightly dusted with fulvous. (Cal.) arenicola 0. S. Valves with rounded apex and with a broadly obtuse upper corner; lateral bristles of thorax black; scutellum cine- reous-dusted. (Wash.) actius, n. sp . 5. Mystax wholly or in large part white 6 . Mystax wholly black 9 . 6. Tibiae and tarsi and sometimes femora also, reddish brown; wings lightly infumated; abodmen shining black, only hind angles of segments pruinose. (on low damp ground. Mass., N. J.) terricola Johnson. Legs wholly black in ground color ; wings quite hyaline . . 7 . 7. Large robust species measuring 12 mm.; abdominal seg- ments marked with two anterior semicircular blackish 1923] The Genus Lasiopogon 137 spots, the gray of hind margins extending triangularly between them ; heavily pollinose and quite pilose. (Wash.) ripicola, n. sp. Small species of 7 to 9 mm 8. 8. Nearly bare species; abdominal segments with narrow white pruinose fascia along hind margin; thorax tri- vittate with brown. (Wash.) trivittatus, n. sp. A great deal of white pile on body; the paler hind portion of abdominal segments extending forward along the middle; thorax bivittate. (Cal.) drabicola Cole. 9. Tibiae and tarsi reddish-brown; wings quite infumated; halteres with black spot on knob ; abdomen dull, the pos- terior two-fifths of each segment with gray fascia, (mountain species. Wash.) fumipennis, n. sp. Legs black in ground-color; wings nearly hyaline 10 . 10. Thorax evittate; hypo pygial valves polished; small species, 6 to 8 mm 11 . Thorax vittate 12 . 11. Mesonotum uniformly brown pollinose; hypopygial valves twice as long as wide, with strong projection below near base, dorsal fringe black. (Wash.) delicatulus, n. sp. Mesonotum brownish gray pollinose; valves short, very convex, almost hemispherical, dorsal fringe reddish. (Mass, to Col.) opaculus Loew . 12. General color gray pollinose; hypopygial valves cinereous, about three times as long as wide, without basal prong or swelling, (on stones about streams, Or., Wash.) cinereus Cole General color brownish pollinose; hypopygial valves pol- ished, or of tetragrammus grayish-brown pruinose 13 . 13. Space between intermediate and lateral stripes of thorax polished black; ovipositor white pilose; about four cons- picuous bristles across each abdominal segment. (Can., N.H.) tetragrammus Loew Thorax without shining stripes; no transverse rows of bristles on abdominal segments, (western species) 14 , 138 Psyche [October 14. Hypopygium greatly enlarged, wider than abdomen, its valves nearly as broad as long, with basal swelling below; abdomen largely polished .15. Hypopygium not wider than abdomen, its valves about twice as long as wide, with strong tooth on inner edge toward base; abdomen dull. (Wash.) .mon^tco^a, n. sp. 15. Thorax narrowly vittate; anterior crossvein beyond middle of discal cell. (Cal., Or.) bivittatus ~Loew A narrow median dark line extending down the center paler stripe between the broad principal vittse; anterior crossvein before middle of discal cell. (Id., Wash.) aldrichii, n. sp. Lasiopogon actius, sp. nov. Male. — Length 7-9 mm. Front and upper occiput dusted with brownish, face with white, hairs of upper part of head and of antennae whitish with yellowish tinge; style three-fifths as long as third antennal joint. Notum rather closely pollinose, changing in color according to incidence of light, dorsocentral vittae distinct, dark brown, curved, the broad undivided middle stripe yellowish brown, sides fulvous brown, connecting with the dorsocentral vittae behind the gray humeri; scutellum, postalar callosities and a vitta extending forward from each callosity cinereous; hairs and bristles of mesonotal disk and of scutellar margin yellowish, lateral bristles stout and black; pleurae cinereous, the mesopleura brownish, hairs of meso-, sterno- and hypopleurae pale. Abdomen quite dull, first segment gray, 2-7 segments marked with paired basal semicircular brown spots and apical gray band, vestiture abundant and whitish; hypopygium slightly wider than abdomen, dorsal piece centrally polished, not emarginate, fringe fulvous becoming almost golden laterally, valves lightly dusted and with abundant yellowish hair, curved, over twice as long as wide and parallel-sided as seen obliquely from above, their apex rounded and furnished with short blackish hairs, base below strongly widening and then narrowed at attachment; venter cinereous, the coating thinner posteriorly. Legs gray dusted, hairs and femoral bristles whitish, 1923] The Genus Lasiopogon 139 bristles of tibiae black and whitish mixed, of tarsi black, claws reddish, tipped with black. Halteres with pale yellow knob, wings hyaline, veins blackish, crossvein a little before middle of discal cell. Female. — Third antennal joint even shorter, the style two- thirds or three-fourths the length of the third joint; ovipositor shining black, the terminal rosette consisting of long black hooks. Types. — Sixteen specimens, collected on the dry sands of the seabeach near Seaview and Nahcotta, Washington, May to July. (Melander). The species is closely related to L. arenicola, but that species has a less patterned thorax, subshining scutellum and abdomen, wholly pale bristles, yellow rosette on ovipositor and a different construction to the hypopygium. The lateral valves of arenicola are squared off at the end and even emar- ginate, the dorsal fringe is golden, and the dorsal piece is polished. Lasiopogon aldrichii, sp. nov. Male. — Length 8 mm. Entirely black, the halteres yellow, calypteres yellowish, front brownish-gray pollinose, the pollen of face slightly more yellowish, mystax black, hairs of face and lower occiput cinereous pollinose with long silky white pile; style thick, one-half as long as third joint of antenna. The usual pair of anteriorly diverging stripes of mesonotum distinct and blackish, the immediate brownish stripe medially bisected by a distinct blackish line, lateral stripes vaguely represented by darkenings above root of wings; bristles and sparse hairs black; scutellum dusted at base, its hairs and bristles black; pleurae dull gray pollinose; the hypopleural fringe consisting of a single row of long black bristles. Major portion of abdomen polished black, the hind margins of the individual segments grayish- pollinose, lateral hairs whitish, becoming black on posterior segments; genitalia large, forming a club-like globular termina- tion to the abdomen, hairs rather short and black, the lateral valves strongly convex, nearly quadrate, the apical edge crenulate- truncate, lower basal angle not toothed but with an umbo, dorsal incision deep and U-shaped, the marginal fringes black, the hairs obliquely crossed; venter uniformly dark grayish- 140 Psyche [October pollinose, subshining, the short sparse hairs pale. Legs entirely black, the coxae pollinose and concolorous with pleurae, remainder of legs shining, very lightly dusted, the hairs and bristles black except the fine pile at base of femora beneath, pulvilli fuscous. Wings lightly infum.ated, veins black, anterior crossvein slightly before middle of discal cell. Female. — Pile of lower occiput more sordid white; lateral whitish hairs of abdomen shorter and confined to basal segment, ovipositor highly polished, short-conical, the ventral keel brown. Types. — Male and female, Moscow Mountains, Idaho, June 29, 1918 (Melander). Sixty paratypes from same locality (Melander) and from the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington (Piper and Melander) and Nahcotta, Washington (Melander). The two specimens from Nahcotta, male and female are indistinguishable from the others, notwithstanding their totally different provenience. These specimens have been taken on almost every visit to Moscow Mountain. They occur along the trails and frequent rocks on the summit. It is a pleasure to dedicate this species in honor of Dr. J. M. Aldrich, and in memory of the many trips we have made together to this interesting collecting ground. The species is evidently very closely related to L. hivittatus Lw. but is constant in showing the bisected median stripe of the thorax. Lasiopogon delicatulus, sp. nov. Length 6 mm. Ground color entirely black, halteres yellow, the root of wing and the calypteres light brownish. Vertex dusted with dull yellowish-gray, face almost silvery, mystax and rather sparse facial hairs white, upper occiput brownish dusted, lower occiput becoming whitish, the lower hairs short silky and white, hairs and bristles of upper part of head short and black, style scarcely one-half the length of the broad third joint of antenna. Thorax brownish-pollinose, the dorsocentral stripes only vaguely indicated, middle stripe not divided, bristles black, scutellum completely dusted, bare except for the few marginal hairs; lower pleurae becoming grayish-blue, hypopleural fringe consisting of about five black setae. Abdomen 1923] The Genus Lasiopogon 141 slender, mostly shining, the hind margin of the segments narrowly whitish and with thinner cinereous pollen extending across the posterior two-fifths of each segment and also triangularly filling the extreme sides, first segment entirely cinereous pollinose, hairs very sparse, short and whitish; hypopygium of same diameter as abdomen, the lateral valves curved, two and one-half times as long as the width of the apical half, abruptly broader on basal half so as to form rectangular projection at middle beneath, apex of valves rounded, hairs rather sparse long and black, dorsal notch broad and deep, fringe of each side with black hairs; venter uniformly grayish dusted, its hairs fine, short, sparse and whitish. Legs entirely black, lightly dusted, the coxae cinereous, the hairs of femora and coxae white, of tibiae and tarsi black, bristles strong and black, pulvilli piceous. Wings hyaline, veins black, anterior crossvein a little before middle of discal cell. Female. — Hairs of face in large part black, the polished ovi- positor as long as sixth segment, blunt, ventral keel castaneous. Types. — Mount Rainier, Washington. Six specimens from Alta Vista, Crystal Mountain, and Van Trump Park, July and August, 1922 (Melander). The collection of these specimens was largely made possible through a grant from the Elizabeth Thompson Science Fund for a study of the alpine insect fauna of Mt. Rainier. Lasiopogon fumipennis, sp. nov. Female. — Length 8 mm. Black in ground-color, heavily dusted. Upper part of head brownish, hairs short, sparse, fine and black, face cinereous, pile long, abundant and black, pile of lower occiput fine dense and white; style one-third the length of the third joint of antenna. Mesonotum thickly brown-pollinose, dorsocentral vittse widely separated, moderately narrow and brown, median stripe not divided; humeri and pleurae cinereous, no pile, four black set« in hypopleural row, no dorsocentral bristles, two prealar black bristles, anterior part of notum with scattered minute appressed black setulae, no hairs; scutellum brownish gray pollinose, its sparse marginal hairs black. Post- erior two-fifths of abdominal segments cinereous pollinose, 142 Psyche [October anterior portion nearly black and subshining, first segment alone with outstanding hairs which on the hind margin are setiform and black and white mixed, remainder of abdomen with minute black setulse; ovipositor polished black, nearly as long as sixth and seventh segments combined, the ventral keel castaneous. Legs black, very lightly dusted, the posterior tibiae with brownish tinge, hairs of femora very short, sparse and whitish, of tibiae black, bristles black, two preapical extensor bristles on front femur, one on anterior face of middle femur, an imperfect row along upper front face of hind femur, under side of femora with about three straggling long white setiform hairs. Pul villi aluta- ceous; wings infumated, veins black, anterior crossvein at middle of discal cell; halteres yellow, the upper side of knob with distinct black center, calypteres yellow. Types. — Paradise Park, Mount Rainier, Washington, Aug. 1921 (Melander). Two paratypes, same locality and south slope of Mount Adams, Washington. (Melander). Lasiopogon monticola, sp. nov. Male. — Length 9 mm. General color brownish-gray due to heavy coat of pollen, vertex and upper occiput dusted with brown, face cinereous brown, mystax entirely black, hairs of lower occiput fine silky and white, of upper occiput black; style two-fifths the length of third antennal joint, thorax marked only with the narrow dorsocentral brown stripes which diverge anterior- ally, median space not bisected, bristles black, two lateral bristles in front of suture, about five on postalar callus, about five pre- sutural dorsocentrals; scutellum margined with about eight black bristles in addition to interspaced black hairs, bare on disc; six bristles in hypopleural row, mostly black, four black hairs at posterior margin of mesopleura. Anterior half of ab- dominal segments piceous, posterior half cinereous brown, hairs white, becoming black at apex, five black bristles in lateral row of first segment; hypopygium globose black shining, somewhat wider than termination of abdomen, the dorsal incision very broad, its fringe black, lateral valves very broad, less than twice as long as wide, truncate at apex, the lower margin with very 1923] The Genus Lasiopogon 143 strong tooth, hairs coarse and black, venter concolorous with posterior portions of tergites, its hairs fine and whitish. Hairs of femora white in large part, the outer half of femora with about five extensor setae, the upper front face of hind femora setose; tarsi concolorous with remainder of legs, claws piceous with black apex, pulvilli alutaceous. Halteres and calypteres yellowish; wings lightly cinereous, veins black, anterior crossvein slightly before middle of discal cell. Female. — Ovipositor short, ventral keel black, hairs of abdomen short and mostly black. Types. — Mount Adams, Washington, July 24, 1921 (Melan- der). Other localities, Moscow Mountain, Idaho, and Mount Rainier, Washington. Thirty specimens. Lasiopogon ripicola, sp. nov. Male. — Length 10 mm. Dull brownish-gray, heavily pollinose and rather densely pilose species, upper part of head alutaceous, with abundance of black hairs but no bristles, face whitish, the dense hairs nearly white with slightly yellowish tinge, with a few black hairs intermixed on upper portion, lower occiput heavily white pilose, antennal hairs black, third joint compressed cylindrical, slightly more than twice the length of the acuminate style. Dorsum of thorax brownish-gray, the dorsocentral vitta^ widely separated, dark l)rown and rather narrow, bearing about six very fine black seta3 of which three are presutural, humeri cinereous, lateral markings very indistinct, three prealar bristles; scutellum dark cinereous, the apical fine bristles black and hairs white; pleurae cinereous with faint yellow tinge, mesopleura with black hairs behind, sternopleura with fine white hairs, hypopleural fringe consisting of a few white and black bristle-like hairs. Abdomen not shining, the segments dark brown with apical two-fifths cinereous, the brown color intensified as two semicircular spots, the gray color extending forward triangularly between the brown markings, pile cons- picuous and whitish, long on sides of second and third segments, sides of first segment with a cluster of black bristles in addition to the pile ; hypopygium larger than diameter of end of abdomen, 144 Psyche [October black, siibshining, mainly black-hairy, dorsal fringe transverse and black, declivous beneath fringe and not emarginate but with strong central broad projection, lateral valves spoon-shaped, the inferior margin entire, without tooth below but with slight basal umbo, venter uniformly gray pollinose and with an abund- ance of fine whitish hairs. Legs coated with gray pollen, front femora with two preapical extensor bristles, hind femora with a complete row of black bristles along upper anterior face, bristles of tibiae and tarsi black, hairs of legs abundant, fine and white, pulvilli alutaceous. Wings hyaline, veins black, anterior cross- vein at two-fifths the length of the discal cell, halteres yellow, the base brown, calypteres and fringe yellow. Female. — Facial hairs more yellowish, ovipositor black polished, short, carina usually black. Types. — Wawawai, Washington, May 20, 1911 (Melander) Eighteen paratypes from same locality and from Wilbur, and Yakima (Jenne) Wash. Most of the specimens were taken in the month of April. Lasiopogon trivittatus, sp. nov. Female. — Length 7 mm. Entirely black in ground color, the halteres and calypteres pale fuscous, the carina of the ovi- positor castaneous, upper part of head yellowish-gray, bristles and hairs black, face whitish, its hairs nearly white with slightly yellowish tinge, lower pile of occiput fine and white. Thorax thickly coated with cinereous pollen, the dorsocentral stripes full brown, a median stripe of similar brown color and supraalar indications of lighter brown; bristles prominent and black, a strong presutural dorsocentral present, scattered black setulse on anterior portion of mesonotum; scutellum densely cinereous, bare except for black marginal bristles and setula; pleurae heavily coated with cinereous, almost pruinose, a slight tinge of yellowish developed beneath root of wing. Abdomen scarcely at all shining, first segment wholly cinereous, second to seventh segments fulvous over greater portion, the posterior margins narrowly cinereous, the gray color extending forward at the sides to merge into the fulvous, no long pile, hairs 1923] The Genus Lasiopogon 145 appressed, whitish, becoming black on posterior segments, ovi- positor slightly longer than seventh segment, polished, blunt, but little tapering; venter heavily cinereous pollinose. Legs densely coated with gray pollen, femora with a few whitish long bristle-like hairs beneath, no coating of pile but the short hairs of femora and under side of tibise white, hairs of remainder of tibi^B and of tarsi and bristles black, pul villi brownish. Wings nearh^ hyaline, veins blackish, anterior crossvein slightly before middle of discal cell. Holotype. — Gold Creek, Montana, July 29, 1918 (Melander.) 146 Psyche [October OBSERVATIONS ON T'HE SO-CALLED TRUMPETER IN BUMBLEBEE COLONIES.^ By 0. E. Plath, College of Liberal Arts, Boston University. About 250 years ago, the Dutch painter Goedart (1685) published a comprehensive treatise^ on insects, volume 2 of which contains a unique and probably the oldest account of the life-history and habits of bumblebees. The account seems to be based almost entirely on the author’s own observations, and is of interest chiefly because of its many naive anthropomor- phisms. Thus, for example, Goedart (pp. 242-245) states that the members of a bumblebee colony, besides keeping a ‘Ting” like the honeybees, also have another individual among them which mounts to the top of the nest each morning about 7 A. M., and, like the bugler in the army, calls his companions to work by rapidly vibrating his wings, thereby producing a noise not unlike that of a drum. This performance, according to Goedart (p. 245), lasted for about a quarter of an hour each morning, and was observed repeatedly, not only by him, but also by others. About seventy-five years later, Goedart’ s (1685) observation was con- firmed by the French Abbe Noel de Pluche (1764)^, but de Pluche (p. 185) found that the “drummer”, or “trumpeter”, which he had under observation, called his companions to work at 7.30 A. M., instead of 7. No one seems to have questioned this fantastic story until 1742 (about 75 years after the story originated), when the great French engineer and entomologist, Reaumur (pp. 1-30), published his observations on bumblebees. Although this famous scientist had a large number of bumblebee colonies under observation, he was unable to discover any such behavior as that described iContributions from the Entomological Laboratory of the Bussey Institution, Harvard University, No. 225. 2The first edition of this work appeared from 1662-1669, both in Dutch and in Latin. It was later also translated into English (1682) and French (1700). SAccording to Sladen (1912, p. 48), other editions of this work appeared as early as 1732. Translations into English (by Samuel Humphreys (1740), German (1746), and Spanish (1754), made this comprehensive work accessible to a large number of readers outside of France. 1923] Observations on the So-called Bumblebee Trumpeter 147 by the earlier observers, and therefore came to the conclusion that Goedart’s (1685) ‘^trumpeter” story was a fable. Reaumur’s (p. 30) opinion in this matter naturally carried much weight, being accepted by such eminent entomologists as Kirby and Spence (1818, p. 384), and dealt the bumblebee ^'trumpeter” a blow which was effective for almost 150 years, when Goedart’s (1685) story was again revived by the well-known Austrian bumblebee student Hoffer (1881, 1882-83). Being acquainted with the contradictory claims of Goedart (1685) and Reaumur (1742), Hoffer (1882-83, p. 23) tried for a number of years to find a ^ffrumpeter” among the numerous bumblebee colonies which he had under observation, but his efforts were unsuccessful until the summer of 1881. On July 7 of that year, Hoffer (p. 23) obtained a strong colony of Bremus (Bombus) ruderatus which he placed in a window facing southeast. Early the following morning, Hoffer’s (p. 24) attention was suddenly attracted by a peculiar humming in the new colony, and, upon investigating, he found that the sound was produced by one of the larger bees which was perched on the waxen envelope of the nest and was vigorously, but uniformly vibrating her wings. Overjoyed at having rediscovered the long-sought “trumpeter,” Hoffer (p. 25) roused his wife and children, and later also called in the neighbors, to witness the interesting per- formance. However, Hoffer’s (1882-83) “trumpeter”, or ‘dnump- eterette” as she ought to be called, evidently was some- what of a slave-driver, and rather persistent, as compared with those of Goedart (1685) and de Pluche (1764), for “with painful regularity” she called her companions to work every morning shortly after three o’clock, and continued her ^ trumpeting” for about an hour. Hoffer (p. 25) now became interested to know what would happen if he removed the “trumpeter” from the colony, and, on doing so, found that thereafter the “trumpeting” was performed by another member of the colony, although about an hour later than before. As the colony grew smaller toward the end of the summer, the activities of the “trumpeter” became more and more irregular. This, and the fact that one of his former students claimed to have heard a “trumpeter” in a colony of Bremus lapidarius, led Hoffer (1882-83, pp. 25, 26) to the 148 Psyche [October conclusion that only Bremus ruderatus, and perhaps some other “hypogeic’’ species, have ‘‘trumpeters,” but only while the colonies are strong. Hoffer’s (1882-83) confirmation again brought Goedart’s (1685) “trumpeter” story into good repute among biologists for a period of more than twenty years. With apparently the single exception of Perez (1889), it was accepted — in most cases after personal verification — by Firtsch (cf. Hoffer, 1882-83, p. 25), Kristof (1883), Harter (1890), Sharp (1899), Marshall (1902), and Bengtsson (1903). Perez (p. 117), while not in the least doubting the general correctness of Hoffer’s (1882-83) ob- servations, rejected the latter’s interpretation by pointing out (1) that there is little sense in having a “trumpeter” unless he be the first one to rise, and (2) that the sound produced by the “trumpeter” is of no use whatever, as far as rousing the colony is concerned, since (according to Perez) bumblebees, like honey- bees and ants, are completely deaf. Perez (1889) then offers his own explanation. After expressing the opinion that the bumble- bee “trumpeter” fulfills no social function, and that the ‘‘trump- eting” is probabW done for his own benefit, Perez (p. 117) suggests that the “trumpeters” in bumblebee colonies, like the so-called ventilators among honeybees, are newly-hatched individuals which are training their wing muscles for the long flights which they will soon make. However, as we have already seen, PG^ez’ (1889) theory, although more plausible than that of Goedart (1685), seems to have made little or no impression upon contemporary biologists. Fourteen years after the publication of this theory, a third interpretation was offered by the well-known German bee student von Buttel-Reepen (1903, 1907). Unlike PG’ez (1889), this author suggested that the bumblebee “trumpeter” has the same social function as the ventilators in the' honeybee colony,^ 4Sinc,e writing the above, I have discovered that a similar explanation was offered by Mr. J. Angus in a letter to Messrs. A. S. Packard and F. W. Putnam (cf- Packard (1868), 35 years before von Buttel-Reepen published his interpretation. Mr. Angus’ letter partly reads as follows: “I have found the males [of Bremus (Bombus) vagans] plentiful near our garden fence, with a hole such as would be made by a mouse. They seem to be quite numerous. I was at- tracted to it by the noise they were making in fanning at the opening. I counted at one time as many as seven thus employed, and the sound could be heard several yards off. Several males were at rest, but mostly on the wing, when they would make a dash among the fanners, and all would scatter and sport around. The workers seem to be of a uniform size, and fully as large as the males. I think the object of the fanning was to introduce air into the nest, as is done by the Honey-bees.” 1923] Observations on the So-railed Bumblebee Trumpeter 149 namely, to reduce the temperature, or to expel moisture or bad odors from the nest. Similar conclusions were reached by the Norwegian biologist Lie-Pettersen (1906). This new inter- pretation was accepted— in some cases after extensive experimen- tation— by Stierlin (1906), Wagner (1907), Gundermann (1908), Lindhard (1912), and Sladen (1912). However, within the last decade, Goedart’s (1685) ‘hnimp- eter” story has found another adherent in Bachmann (1915, 1916). What is more, Bachman (1915) has discovered that the bumblebee “trumpeter”, in addition to rousing the members of the colony in the morning, also attends to the “curfew” in the evening. This latter perfomance, Bachmann (1915, p. 87) describes as follows: “Um 9 Uhr begann der Hummel- trompeter sein Abendlied. Es war ein langerer Ton, unterbrochen von einem Triller ahnlich wie wenn ein Tier im Kastchen fliegen wiirde. Der Trompeter schlug aber nur, auf der Wabe stehend, die Flligel.” The activity of the bumblebee “trumpeter” in the morning is described very vividly by Bachmann (1916, p. 103) in the following words: “Genau um 6 Uhr erhebt sich ein Summen im Nest, das ununterbrochen 2 Minuten dauert. Ich musste gleich an den Hummeltrompeter denken, den Hoffer in einem Nest von Bombus ruderatus entdeckt hat. Dreimal setzt mein Musikant an, bis es lebendig wird und ein Tierchen zum Abflug erscheint. Um 6.26 bringt ein geschaftiges Weibchen eine grosse Larve geschleppt und der Trompeter iibt unentwegt seine Kunst. Zuerst in gleicher Tonlage summend, werden, wenn es langer dauert, die Schwebungen hoher und tiefer, vibrierend, dann stossweise wie das Gerausch des Wagnerschen Hammers oder bei der Entladung elektrischer Funken, endlich wie ein langsamer Trommelwirbel, bis der Ton etwas hoher wird und dann langsam erstirbt. “Mitunter hore ich deutlich die Flligel schlagen und meine dabei, es fliege eine Hummel nahe am Kopf vorliber. Dieses Wecken dauert von 6.44 bis 7.06, also 22 Minuten ohne Unter- brechung and ohne die geringste Storung meinerseits. Bis 3^ 8 Uhr hore ich noch dreimal einen klirzeren Ruf. Dann kriechen 150 Psyche [October gleich 3 Hummeln auf einmal aus dem Nestloch, nachdem mit Korbchen beladene im Tor vorher einpassiert waren und der Betrieb in der Hummelburg kommt in regen Gang.’’ These two passages would not have been written, had Bach ' mann (1915, 1916) paid more attention to the literature of the preceding decade. As we have already seen, Bachmann’s (1915> 1916) assertions were contradicted years before, by statements published by several authors, notably von Buttel-Reepen (1903), Lie-Pettersen (1906), Wagner (1907), Lindhard (1912), and. Sladen (1912). To these may be added certain observations and experiments of my own. During the summers of 1921 and 1922, I had under obser- vation about sixty Bremus (Bombus) colonies belonging to teiP of our thirteen New England species, and have frequently had occasion to observe the behavior which gave rise to the ‘trump- eter” story. That the fanning of these so-called trumpeters has to do with ventilation of the nest, and not with rousing the colony, or the exercising of wing muscles, may be demonstrated very easily by exposing a bumblebee colony to the rays of the sun, a fact which was first pointed out by Lie-Pettersen (1906) and Wagner (1907). The conclusions which these two authors reached are corroborated by the following observations which were made during the summer of 1921. Of the thirteen colonies which I had under observation during that summer, eleven were kept in windows facing south and the remaining two in a window which faced north. Like Lie-Pettersen (p. 18), I found that on every warm day, especially if the weather was sultry, one or more workers in each of the colonies on the south side of the building mounted to the top of the nest and began to fan shortl}^ after the rays of the sun reached the nest-boxes. In a colony of Bremus impatiens, consisting of about 125 individuals, the number of fanning workers sometimes even increased to more than a dozen. As soon as the sun receded from their nest-box, these “trumpeters” discontinued their work, one after another, and crawled back into the nest. ^Bremus affinis, bimaculatus, fervidus, impaliens, pennsylvanicus , per plexus, separaius, ternarius, terricola , and vagans. 1923] Observations on the So-called Bumblebee Trumpeter 151 While this restless activity was in progress on the south side of the building, not a single bee, as a rule, was engaged in “trump- eting” in the two colonies which were kept on the north side, although one of the latter — also belonging to Bremus impatiens — consisted of more than 450 workers. The exposure to the hot midday sun evidently did not agree with the bees, for the colonies on the south side of the building did not thrive nearly so well as those on the north side, and during the following summer all of m}^ bumblebee colonies were therefore kept in shady situations. While “trumpeting” in a bumblebee colony is most pro- nounced when the nest is exposed to the rays of the sun on a hot day, it may, as is indicated by the observations of Goedart (1685), de Pluche (1764), Hoffer (1882-83), Bengtsson (1903), and Bach- mann (1915, 1916), also take place in the morning and evening, in fact, as Wagner (1907) has pointed out, at any time of the day. Thus, for example, I have occasionally found one or two workers fanning at various hours during the night, even if the temperature outside was less than 70°. In this case, as has been suggested by von Buttel-Reepen (1903), fanning no doubt has to do with the expulsion of moisture or disagreeable odors from the nest. Neither is it true, as Hoffer (1882-83), von Buttel-Reepen (1903), and Sladen (1912) assume, that “trumpeting” is resorted to only by species which have subterranean nests. Wagner (1907) found that Bremus muscorum, a European species which usually nests on the surface of the ground, resorts to fanning when the temperature of the nest gets too high, and this, as will be seen later, is also true of Bremus fervidus in this country. As already stated, Hoffer (1882-83) believed that small Bremus colonies have no “trumpeter.” Wagner (1907) and Lindhard (1912), on the other hand, claim that small colonies also resort to fanning. In order to determine which one of these claims is correct, the following experiment was performed. At 2 P. M., on June 3, 1922, I exposed the next-box of a small colony (1 queen and 2 workers) of Bremus impatiens to the rays of the sun. Three minutes later, one of the workers crawled to the top of the nest and began to fan, and within another minute, the remaining worker and the queen appeared and assisted in this activity. 152 Psyche [October Later in the summer, an experiment was also carried out to test Perez’ (1889) theory, according to which the so-called bum- blebee trumpeters are netvly emerged individuals which are exercising their wing muscles. On August 14th, at 1.30 P. M., I removed the board which shaded the nest of a queenless colony of Bremus fervidus so that the nest-box was exposed to the sun. The result was as follows: At 1.34, a worker appeared on top of the nest, and after crawling about a few seconds, began to fan vigorously. By 1.36 two more workers were engaged in this work, and by 1.38, the number of ^ trumpeters” had increased to six. All of these ‘trumpeters”, as the hardened pollen lump on the thorax showed®, were old bees which had done considerable foraging. Bremus fervidus usually nests on the surface of the ground, and hence this experiment incidentally also shows that Hoffer (1882-83), von Buttel-Reepen (1903), and Sladen (1912) are wrong in assuming that only “subterranean” species have “trumpeters.” Summary and Conclusions . 1. The so-called trumpeters in bumblebee colonies are bees which are engaged in ventilating the nest. 2. This ventilation is brought about by a rapid vibration of the wings and may take place at any time during the day or night. 3. Species which nest on the surface of the ground likewise make use of this method of ventilating their nests. 4. Ventilation by fanning is also resorted to by small bumble- bee colonies. 5. Perez’ theory, according to which the so-called trumpeters in bumblebee colonies are newly emerged individuals which are exercising their wing muscles, is not founded upon facts. Literature Cited. Bachmann, M. 1915. Biologische Beobachtungen an Hummeln. Mitteil. Miinch. Ent. Gessellsch., Vol. 6, pp. 71-112. 1916. Beobachtungen vor dem Hummelnest. Ent. Zeitschr. Frankfurt a. M., Vol. 29, pp. 89-90, 93-94, 98-99, 103-104; Vol. 30, pp. 1-3. 6The source of these pollen lumps will be discussed in connection with another paper. 1923] Observations of the So-called Bumblebee Trumpeter 153 Bengtsson, S. 1903. Studier och iakttagelser ofver Humlor. Ark. Zook, Vol. 1, pp. 197-222. Buttel-Reepen, H. von 1903. Die stammesgeschichtliche Entste- hung des Bienenstaates, sowie Beitrage zur Lebens- weise der solitaren und sozialen Bienen (Hummeln, Meliponen, etc.). Georg Thieme, Leipzig. 1907. Zur Psychobiologie der Hummeln I. Biol. Centralbl., Vol. 27, pp. 579-613. Goedartius, J. 1685. De Insectis, in Methodum Redactus; cum Notulariim Additione. London. Vol. 2, pp. 233-249. Gundermann, E. 1908. Einige Beobachtungen an Hummel- nestern. Ent. Wochenbk, Vol. 25, pp. 30-31, 35-36. Harter, R. 1890. Biologische Beobachtungen an Hummeln. 27 Bericht. Oherhess. Gesellsch. Natur-u. Heil- kunde pp. 59-75. H offer, E. 1881. Biologische Beobachtungen an Hummeln und Schmarotzerhummeln. Mitth. Naturw. Ver. Steier- mark, Vol. 18, pp. 68-92. 1882-83. Die Hummeln Steiermarks. Lebensge- schichte und Beschreibuug derselben. Leuschner & Lubensky, Graz. Humphreys, S. 1740. Spectacle de la Nature: or Nature Display’d. R. Francklin, C. Davis, and J. Pemberton. London. Kirby, W. and Spence, W. 1818. An Introduction to Entomo- logy: or Elements of the Natural History of Insects. Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, London. Vol. 2. Kristof, L. 1883. Eigene Beobachtungen iiber das Leben einheimischer Hummeln verbunden mit einer Bespre- chung der dariiber von Prof. Dr. E. Hoffer im 31. und 32. Jahres-Berichte der steierm. Landes-Oberreal- schule (1882-83) veroffentlichten Monographie. Mitth. Naturw. Ver. Steiermark, pp. LXIV-LXXIV. Lie-Pettersen, 0. J. 1906. Neue Beitrage zur Biologie der norwegischen Hummeln. Bergens Mus. Aarb., pp. 1-43. 154 Psyche [October Lindhard, E. 1912. Humlebien som Husdyr. Spredte Trsek af nogle danske Humlebiarters Biologi. Tidsskr. Landbrugets Planteavl, Vol. 19, pp. 335-352, 4 figs. Marshall, W. 1902. Allgemeines fiber den Insektenstaat. Hum- meln imd Meliponen. Hochschul-Vortrage. Seele & Co., Leipzig. Heft 27 u. 28, pp. 1-42. Packard, A. S. Jr. 1868. The Home of the Bees. Amer. Naturalist, Vol. 1, pp. 364-378, 596-606, pi. 10 and 4 figs. Perez, J. 1889. LesAbeilles. Paris (After Wagner). Pluche, A. N. de 1764. Le Spectacle de la Nature. Chez les Freres Estienne. Paris, Vol. 1. Reauynur, R. A. de 1742. Memoires pour servir a khistoire des insectes. L’imprinierie Royale, Paris. Vol. 6, pp. 1-30, pis. 1-4. Sharp, D. 1899. Insects. Part II. The Cambridge Natural History. Macmillan and Co., London. Vol. 6. Sladen, F. W. L. 1912. The Bumble-bee, Its Life-History and how to Domesticate it. Macmillan and Co., London. Stierlin, R. 1906. tiber das Leben der Hummeln. Mitt. Naturw. Ges. Winterthur, Vol. 6, pp. 130-144. Wagner, W. 1907. Psycho-biologische Untersuchungen an Hummeln mit Bezugnahme auf die Frage der Gesellig- keit im Tierreiche. Zoologica, Vol. 19, pp. 1-239, 1 pL, 136 figs. 1923] A Note on a Recently Introduced Leafhovper 155 A NOTE ON A RECENTLY INTRODUCED LEAFHOPPER. By Geo. W. Barber, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Dept, of Agriculture. On July 21, 1919 the writer took a single specimen of Allygus mixtus Fabr. on the trunk of a beech tree at Medford, Mass. This specimen was determined by Messrs. Sanders and DeLong and a note of its occurence published by them (8). The species was also noticed in a local list published by the writer (9). During the season of 1920 over forty specimens of the insect were taken from the same tree, the occurence ranging from July 16 to September 3. No specimens other than these were seen. Hundreds of specimens were taken from this tree during 1921, and a few near by and in adjoining towns from the middle of July to the middle of September. So far as these collecting records go it would seem that this insect was rapidly gaining a foothold in this locality, at least one thriving colony having become well established. However, during 1922 only two specimens were captured and but one of these on the tree mentioned heretofore. This species is not uncommon in Europe and northern Africa where it occurs quite generally as the following distribution record by Oshanin (6) will show; Sweden, Germany, England France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, Roumania, Algeria, Tunis, Finland, and Russia. Specimens from Germany are in the writer’s collections. It is a common species in England according to Buckton (4), and Edwards (5) records that it feeds on the oak. So far, the writer has not taken the insect from oak in Massachusetts but the young have not been observed. Allygus mixtus was originally described by Fabricius (1) in the genus Cicada. Subsequent writers placed the species in the genera Jassus and Thamnotettix until Scott (3) described the genus Allygus. This name had been proposed by Fieber (2) but it seems that he had given no description of it. 156 Psyche [October Three species assigned to Allygus now occur in the fauna of the United States; Allygus gutturosus (Ball) (7) originally described as Thamnotettix from California. Allygus modestus Fieb an European species discovered in New Jersey by Mr. H. B. Weiss and recorded by Sanders and DeLong (8). Allygus mixtus Fabr. Fig. 1. Allygus mixtus Fab., Adults. Fig. 2. Allygus mixtus Fabr., a-face; b-female genitalia; c-male genitalia. Literature referred to 1. 1803 — Fabricius, Syst. Rhyng., p. 86. 2. 1872 — Fieber, Kat. der Europ, Cicad., p. 13. 3. 1875 — Scott, Ent. Month. Mag. XII, p. 171. 4. 1891 — Buckton, on. Brit. Cic. II, p. 71. 1923] A Note on a Recently Introduced Leaf hopper 157 5. 1896 — Edwards, Hemip. Homop. Brit. Isds., p. 166. 6. 1906 — Oshanin, Verz. Palaark. Hemip. II, p. 137. 7. 1910 — Ball. Canadian Ent. XLII, p. 307. 8. 1920 — Sanders and DeLong, Pennsylvania Bur. Plant Ind., Tech. Bull. No. 1, p. 18. 9. 1920 — Barber, Psyche XXVII, p. 149. 158 Psyche [October FLOWER VISITS OF INSECTS By Charles Robertson Carlinville, Illinois. In the study of the pollination of flowers by insects (6) a good many observations have been made which relate primarily to the habits of insects and only indirectly, if at all, to the elucida- tion of insect flowers. It is proposed here to consider the data from the standpoint of the insects. The flower groups adopted are divided into a social set, whose flowers are in heads, spikes or close umbels, so that insects pass from one to another without taking wing or climbing, and a non-social set. The latter contains 54.4 per cent of the flowers, and is divided into Ma, long-tongued bee flowers, including 11 adapted to birds, hawk-moths and butterflies, and Mi, short- tongued bee flowers, including six fly flowers. The social set includes Mas, long-tongued bee flowers; Mis, short-tongued bee flowers; and Pol, visited by miscellaneous short-tongued insects. The insect visits were first distributed under Muller’s flower classes. These were then divided into non-social and social sets and the visits were distributed again under them. Of 9 cases, maxima under Hb fell under non-social Hb in 6. In 27 other cases, however, maxima under B, AB, or A always fell under the social sets. The percentages for each class and color and the visits ob- served are: Non-social Social Total Colors Ma Mi Mas Mis Pol Red White Yellow I.ocal Flora 28.3 27.9 16.4 22.0 5.1 540 29.2 39.6 31.1 Flowers observed 30.2 24.2 18.7 21.5 5.2 437 30.2 39.1 30.6 Before July 28.9 32.3 11 .0 22.9 4.6 235 26.3 44.6 28.9 After June 30.5 15.2 28.2 19.0 6.8 262 34.3 33.5 32.0 Pollinating visits 7.5 13.3 20.4 39.8 18.7 13971 16.8 51.3 31.7 Non-pollinating visits 41.1 9.5 31.3 10.9 7.0 852 46.3 33.3 20.3 1923] Flower Visits of Insects 159 Percentages of visits to red flowers are given for the Berlin Garden and Low Germany (Loew 2,3) and the Alps (Muller 5,512-23). The percentages of red flowers observed are for the Alps 41.6 and Berlin Garden 48.2. In 31 cases, all except Sphingidse, the percentage of local visits to red ranges from 5.4 to 51.3 less, or an average of 24. The term preference, as used here, means only that the percentage of visits is greater than the percentage of flowers observed. For each group the percentages of flowers visited as well as the visits were distributed under each flower class. Usually these are much alike, so that the percentages of flowers visited are not mentioned except when they are quite different from the visits. The flowers were also divided into an early group containing 235 plants, 142 blooming, and 33 observed, before July, and a late group containing 262 plants, 144 blooming, and 58 observed, after June. In the case of 60 plants the visits observed before July and after June were referred to each group. Of these 60 plants 13 are not native. Visits to these groups were first dis- tributed under Muller’s classes. Before July there are maxima under B, AB, including Po, and A. After June there is a slight increase inHb, including 0 and F, and a marked increase in B'. The visits to these groups were also distributed under the new classes. The early group shows maxima of the simplest flowers, non-social Mi, and white colors. These along with Mis decrease in the late group, which shows maxima of Ma and red, and a great increase in Mas. The specialization of the late group is marked by the increase of the social flowers from 38.7 to 54.1 per cent. When B' as an element of the flora changes from 8.0 to 28.2 per cent, the maxima of the insect groups change from the four other dominant classes to B'. The only exceptions are the ruby-throated and the Non-aculeata. The maxima of the same insects, when distributed into early and late sets of the new categories, in 62.8 per cent of the cases, fall under the same flower groups. The Bombidse, Euceridse, Anthophoroidea, Dasygastrse and long-tongued bees in general change from Ma to Mas, due to the fact that Mas is not well represented in the early flora. 160 Psyche [October Ayis mellifera, the Ceratinidse and Bombyliidse change from Mis to Mas. Early there is greater contrast between Ma and Mis than late between Mas and Mis. Consequently these mid-tongued insects are excluded from a considerable number of early Ma, while they can reach the nectar of most of the late Mas. A like change in Melectoidea and Andrenidse is owing to the fact that the late ones have longer tongues. Bees. Apis mellifera.' — Of 196 visits, 30.1 per cent are to Mis, 27.0 to Mas, 43.3 to white, 65.3 to social flowers and 28.3 to Compositse. Of its pollen visits 36.7 per cent, while of its nectar visits 29.0, are under yellow. Red shows: local 24.4, Low Germany 47.3, Berlin Garden 55.0 and the Alps 60.7. Before July the hive-bee prefers Mis; after June, Mas, Mis and Pol. The maxima shift from AB 33.3 to B' 44.7, Mis 32.2 to Mas 43.8. An introduced domesticated insect, it is the most important single obstacle in the way of the anthecologist. It occupies an intermediate position between long-tongued and short-tongued bees, though it makes more visits to flowers preferred by the latter. On account of its abundance and long flight it makes more legitimate visits than any other insect, except Bombus americanorum. It shows inferiority to several indigenous, bees, Bombus, Melissodes, Megachile, Calliopsis andreniformis, in its inability to utilize some complicated flowers like Desmodium, but this is somewhat offset by its ingenuity in extracting pollen from Dicentra cucullaria. Bombince. — Of 717 visits to 273 flowers, 39.4 per cent are to Ma, 31.9 to Mas, 41.1 to red, 10.0 to Labiatse, 10.6 to Legum- inosae and 25.2 to Compositse. Visits to red are: Low Germany 61.5, Berlin Garden 63.7 and Alps 64.7. Four prefer Ma, four Mas, seven red and one yellow. Loew (2, 87) states that since male bumblebees have shorter tongues than the workers, the relations holding for the females and workers do not apply to them, and that therefore they prefer flowers of class B'. This is not dependent upon the dif- 1923] Flower Visits of Insects 161 ference in the length of the proboscis, but is largely a phenological matter connected with the late flight of the workers, after May 13, still later flight of the males, after July 4, and the late bloom- ing of B' which is really a phenological class. The males only resemble bees in general in preferring B' in their late visits. The percentage of visits to B' after June is for the females 32.1, workers 38.1, and males 57.6. So that under the same con- ditions all three forms prefer B'. The females show a maximum under Ma, 47.3, while the workers and males show maxima under Mas, 43.5 and 57.8. Seven species, forming 4 per cent of the long-tongued bees, make 23 per cent of the long-tongued bee visits, the average being 102. Bomhus americanormn makes 227 visits, the highest number for any visitor. Bumblebees are the characteristic visitors of long-tongued bee flowers and have probably had more influence in producing such flowers than all other bees together. They make 39 per cent of the visits to Ma, the highest specialized of non-social flowers. Psithyrus. — Of 47 visits to 39 flowers, 61.7 per cent are to Mas, 87.2 to social flowers, 42.5 to Compositse, 14.9 to Labiatse and 12.7 to Leguminosse. Loew (2, 103) says: “the habit possessed by female bumble- bees of chiefly seeking out hymenopterid flowers, while the males give preference to social flowers, is exaggerated in the parasitic genus Psithyrus^ which constitutes a small side-branch of the group. The species of this genus consequently prefer dark-colored flowers even more than do the short-tongued species of Bomhus.” The European visits for the females show 34.3 more in percentage of visits to Hb than to B', while the local visits show only 6.0 more. In the local species the apparent preference for red flowers is not a consequence of a preference for Hb or of any difference in the visits of the males, for, while the males show 33.3 more in percentage of visits to B' than the females do, they also show 15.1 more in percentage of visits to red. Local visits to red are 55.3 per cent, in the Berlin Garden 71.5, Low Germany 74.0 and the Alps 77.8. The visits of the males which fly late, do not differ from those of the females as much as the late visits 162 Psyche [October of the females differ from the early ones. Visits to red show: females 51.5, males 66.6; females before July 71.4, after June 36.3. Bomhidce. — Before July the Bombidse prefer Ma and red; after June, Mas, red and yellow. They show less preference for B' than does any other considerable group of long-tongued bees. The maxima shift from Hb 59.8 to B' 42.0, Ma 50.8 to Mas 48.6. Visits to yellow change from 19.6 to 34.0. Apygidial Scopulipedes. — These show every indication of great age: the fragmentary nature and the marked structural differences of the still existing groups, as well as their wide and discontinuous distribution. Muller says that the maxillary palps of Bomhus, etc. are aborted as a result of specialization of the proboscis, lengthening of the glossa and labial palps (4,57). But it is evidently a mark of age, for many Pygidialia have the proboscis as long and even more highly specialized, but retain the primitive number of six joints. It seems that the Apygidialia were the primitive long-tongued bees and had most to do with the origin of the earliest long-tongued bee flowers. The special- ized genera of Pygidialia are characterized by long tongues, rapid flight, rather short seasons, often oligolectic and more peculiar habits, just as would be expected of later developed competitors. Anthophoriddd. — Of 75 visits to 56 flowers, 66.6 per cent are to Ma, 22.6 to Mas, 54.6 to red, 21.3 to Labiatae, 16.0 to Legum- inosse and 10.6 each to Polemoniales and Personales. Euceridce. (521 visits to 202 flowers). — These prefer Mas, which shows 31.6 per cent of the flowers visited and 54.7 per cent of the visits, red 39.9 and yellow 35.7, 10.5 per cent of the visits being to Labiatae and 40.8 to Compositae. Twenty prefer Mas, 11 Ma, 19 red, 11 yellow, two white. Before July they prefer Ma, Mas and red; after June, Mas, yellow and red. The group is a late one. The maxima shift from Hb 60.3 to B' 51.8, Ma 48.4 to Mas 66.2, red 42.8 to yellow 41.0. Emphoridoe. — Of 14 visits to 11 flowers, 57.1 per cent are to Ma, 35.7 to Mas, 57.1 to red, 42.8 to white, 28.5 to Polemoniales and 21.4 to Compositae. Anthophoroidea. — Of the 610 visits of the last three families, 50.3 per cent are to Mas, 42. ' to red, 32.4 to yellow, 11.6 to 1923] Flower Visits of Insects 163 Labiatse and 35.7 to Compositse. Before July they prefer Ma, Mas and red; after June, Mas, red and yellow. The maxima shift from Hb 68.9 to B' 49.0, Ma 56.1 to Mas 64.4. Xyloco'pidce. — The single species, Xylocopa virginica, near its northern limit here, is rare and its visits few. It seems to prefer Mas and red. Ceratinidce.—Oi 194 visits to 162 flowers, 33.5 per cent are to Mis, 27.8 to Mi, 21.1 to Mas, 47.4 to white and 24.7 to Com- positse. The visits of the males differ remarkably from those of. the females and under similar conditions. The females show Mi 22.4, Mas 30.4, Mis 23.2 and red 32.5. The males show Mi 42.8, Mas 3.0, Mis 40.8 and red 14.2. In their visits they resemble the Halictidse and Apis mellifera. Before July they prefer Mis, Mi, Pol, and white; after June, Mas, Mis and red. The maxima shift from AB 28.4 to B' 55.2, Mis 35.3 to Mas 52.2, white 50.7 to red 37.3. Melectoidea (ex. Nomadidse; 209 visits to 72 flowers). — These prefer Mas 67.9, Mis 25.8 and yellow 41.1. Fifteen prefer Mas, five Mis, one Ma, ten yellow, six red, six white. Of the visits of Epeolidse 15.6 per cent are to Labiatse and 58.5 to Com- positse. Nomadidce. — Of 272 visits to 108 flowers 48.5 per cent are to Mis, 31.9 to Mi, 51.1 to white, 36.3 to yellow, 14.7 to Com- positse, 14.3 to Salix and 11.7 to Bosacese. Being inquilines at least principally of Andrenidse they are associated with them in time and place and naturally show similar flower visits. Sixteen prefer Mis, four Mi, two Mas, 14 white, nine yellow. Melectoidea the 481 visits, 38.6 per cent are to Mis, 33.4 to Mas, 41.7 to white and 38.4 to yellow. The Nomadidse make only 17 visits after June, and the other Melectoidea make only five visits before July, so that their differences are largely phenological. Before July they prefer Mis, Mi, yellow and white; after June, Mas, Mis and j^ellow. The maxima shift from AB 32.6 to B' 58.9, Mis 45.7 to Mas 66.0, white 50.5 to yellow 39.6. Megachilince. — The Megachilini (331 visits to 151 flowers) prefer Mas, Mis, red 40.1 and yellow 33.3. The flowers visited 164 Psyche [October show Mas 33.1, Mis 26.4, while the visits show Mas 53.8, Mis 16.1. Visits to red in Low Germany are 67.0 per cent and the Berlin Garden 74.0. Of 110 visits of Coelioxys to 62 flowers, 54.5 per cent are to Mas, 28.1 to Mis and 36.3 to yellow. Loew (2,264) calls it an oligotrope of red colors, but it shows 30.0 under red compared with 60.0 in the Berlin Garden and 66.0 in Low Germany. Of visits to red the females show 42.2 and the males 28.9. Nineteen species of Megachilinse prefer Mas, three Ma, 11 red, nine yellow and two white. Of their visits 12.8 per cent are to Labiatse, 17.5 to Leguminosse and 39.5 to Compositse. The maximum changes from Hb 50.3 before July to B' 42.0 after June. Os7niin(E. — Of 295 visits to 138 flowers, 27.7 per cent are to Ma, 27.4 to Mi, 48.1 to white, 15.2 to Leguminosse, 11.1 to Rosacese and 10.3 to Polemoniales. Seven prefer Mi, 41.8 per cent of visits, 5 Ma 66.6, 5 Mas 41.3, 3 Mis 57.1, 13 white 52.6, 5 red 43.3, 2 yellow 66.6. Local visits to red are 27.4 per cent, Berlin Garden 65.0 and Low Germany 77.2. Visits to Mas show for the females 22.6, for the males 6.2. Before July the Osmiinse prefer Ma, Mas, Mi, white and red; after June, Mas, Mis, white and yellow. The maxima shift from Hb 43.7 to B' 48.9, Mi 32.8 to Mas 57.4. Anthidiini. — Of 9 visits to 8 flowers, 88.8 per cent are to Mas, 44.4 to red and 33.3 to yellow. Visits to red in Low Ger- many are 72.7 and in the Berlin Garden 87.0. Stelidini. — Of 17 visits to 16 flowers, 76.4 per cent are to Mis, 58.8 to white, 41.1 to yellow, 58.8 to Compositse. In the Berlin Garden 41.6 per cent of the visits were to red. Dasygastree. — Of 812 visits made by the last four groups, 40.8 per cent are to Mas, 33.3 to red, 10.3 to Labiatse, 15.6 to Leguminosse and 30.7 to Compositse. Of the visits of the nest- makers 18.2 per cent are to Mis, 34.1 to red and 61.9 to social flowers; while of the visits of the inquilines 34.6 per cent are to Mis, 35.6 to yellow and 90.4 to social flowers. Before July (Osmiinse 256 visits, Megachilinse 133) they prefer Mas and red; after June (Osmiinse 47, Megachilinse 389) Mas, yellow and red. The maxima shift from Hb 44.8 to B' 43.4, Ma 27.2 to Mas 57.2, white 43.3 to red 36.4. 1923] Flower Visits of Insects 165 Muller (4,55) says: ^^More than nine-tenths of the flowers visited by bees with abdominal brushes are such as are adapted to dust the ventral surface of the bee with pollen {Echiiim, Pap- ilionacese, Compositse, etc.) without any action of the tarsal brushes. More rarely, bees with abdominal brushes may be seen feeding on flowers whose pollen gets applied to their backs; in such cases the bee makes use of its tarsal brushes to sweep off the pollen from the parts where it has fallen into the abdo- minal brushes.” Considering the composition of the flora Muller’s statement shows about what these bees would be expected to do without preference. Of 243 local flowers visited for pollen by long-tongued bees in general, only 11.1 per cent require the use of the tarsal brushes. Of 146 visited for pollen by the Dasygastrse, 5.2 per cent require the use of the tarsal brushes. It is not easy to separate such flowers, because the Dasygastrse often reverse on nototribe flowers so as to receive the pollen on their undersides, as in the case of Linaria vulgaris, Pentstenion, Impatiens and Pinguicula. They also reverse on some species of Gerardia and Viola, but these flowers compel them to turn head downwards. On tubular flowers with included anthers they collect the pollen which adheres to their tongues, Lithosper7num canescens. Verbena stricta. Compared with other groups the Dasygastrse show a marked predilection for sternotiibe flowers, 47.5 per cent of thei pollen visits. They do not equal the Euceridse in their prefer- erence for Compositse or antipathy to nototribe flowers. Muller (4,55) further says: “There can be little doubt therefore that the bees with abdominal brushes have adapted themselves to the flowers which were fitted to dust their ventral surfaces (Papilionacese, Compositse, Echium, etc.), and the con- trary view, that these flowers have become adapted to the bees, is untenable, for the flowers are visited and fertilized by other and far more numerous insects.” The Dasygastrse and Papi- lionacese have July maxima. There are several sternotribe flowers of which these bees are the most important and almost exclusive visitors. Panurgidce.. — Of 141 visits to 84 flowers, 44.6 per cent are to Mas, 31.9 to Mis, 50.3 to yellow and 60.2 to Compositse. 166 Psyche [October Red shows 31.3 per cent of the flowers visited and 19.8 per cent of the visits. Yellow shows 33.7 per cent of the flowers. Nine prefer Mas, five Mis, two Mi, ten yellow, four white and two red. Before July they prefer Mas, Pol and red; after June, Mas, Mis and yellow. The maxima shift from Hb 35.7 to B' 66.6, red 39.2 to yellow 55.8. The heterotropy is given in 7, 172-3. Halictid^d (ex. Sphecodini). — Of 1840 visits to 287 flowers, 41.8 per cent are to Mis, 28.5 to Mi, 51.3 to white, 33.4 to yellow and 21.6 to Compositse. Mis shows 30.3 per cent of the flowers visited. Visits of females show Mi 30.8, Mas 13.4; of males. Mi 10.0, Mas 27.1. Visits to red are 15.2 per cent. Low Germany 35.6 and Berlin Garden 38.0. Loew (2,71) calls Halictidse males oligo tropes of B . The males begin to fly about June 4 and are limited mainly to flowers observed after June, when the Halictidse in general make a smaller percentage of visits to B' than any other short-tongued bees, except Prosopis. The percentage of visits to B' after June is for the females 36.3, while that for the males is 39. The females make pollen visits to many deep tubed Compositae on which the males do not occur. Sphecodini. — Of 111 visits to 57 flowers, 54.9 per cent are to Mis, 33.3 to Pol, 63.9 to white, 35.1 to yellow, 27.9 to Umbelli- ferse, 18.9 to Compositse, and 10.8 to Labiatse. Visits to red are 0.9 per cent, in Low Germany 26.7. Halictidce-. — Of 1951 visits of the Halictidae in general, 42.5 per cent are to Mis, 27.5 to Mi, 52.0 to white and 33.5 to yellow. Of 165 non-pollinating visits, 53.7 per cent are to Ma, 37.5 to Mas and 52.1 to red. Forty prefer Mis, six Pol, six Mi, three Mas, 38 white, 17 yellow and only one red. Before July they prefer Mis, Pol, Mi, yellow and white; after June, Mis, Pol and white. The maximum shifts from AB 37.2 to B 37.6. Andrenidce. — Of 585 visits to 133 flowers, 59.6 per cent are to Mis, 54.4 to white, 40.0 to yellow, 18.6 to Rosacese, 15.7 to Salix, 12.8 to Umbelliferae and 11.4 to Compositse. Mis shows 37.5 per cent of the flowers visited. Red shows 5.4 per cent of local visits, in Low Germany 26.0 and Berlin Garden 46.7. Thirty-seven prefer Mis, four Mas, four Ma, four Mi, 28 white, 1923] Flower Visits of Insects 167 19 yellow and four red. Before July they prefer Mis, Pol, white and yellow; after June, Mis, Mas and yellow. The maxima shift from AB 50.5 to B' 86.2, Mis 60.7 to Mas 50.0, white 56.9 to yellow 56.8. Prosopididce. — Of 166 visits to 74 flowers, 61.4 per cent are to Mis, 24.7 to Pol, 68.6 to white, 34.9 to Umbelliferse, 16.8 to Compositse and 12.6 to Rosacese. Visits to red are 0.6 per cent, Berlin Garden 32.5, Low Germany 36.7. Eight prefer Mis, and one Mi. Before July they prefer Mis, Pol, white and yellow; after June, Mis, Pol and white. The maximum shifts from A 40.5 to B' 31.2. Colletidce. — Of 140 visits to 89 flowers, 52.1 per cent are to Mis, 15.0 to Pol, 50.0 to white, 39.2 to yellow, 14.2 to Umbelliferse and 37.1 to Compositse. Seven prefer Mis, four Mi, three Mas, seven white, five yellow and three red. Under Mas the females show 22.0 per cent, while the males show only 8.6. Before July there is a maximum of 34.3 under B, after June it changes to 58.7 under B'. Long-tongued Bees. — Of 3061 visits to 370 flowers, 37.7 per cent are to Mas, 22.1 to Mis, 34.0 to red, 31.4 to yellow, 10.5 to Leguminosae and 30.3 to Compositse. Of the flowers visited and visits Ma shows 32.4 and 23.6, while Mas shows 22.4 and 37.7. Visits to red in the Berlin Garden are 60.4, in the Alps 63.3. Seventy prefer Mas, 31 Ma, 11 Mi, 60 red, 43 white, 43 yellow. Before July they prefer Mas, Ma, Mis and red; after June, Mas, Mis, yellow and red. Visits after June show the preferences probably better than the general visits because the majority of long-tongued bees are late. The maxima shift from Hb 43.0 to B' 46.9, Ma 31.5 to Mas 56.9, white 43.5 to red 37.8, Of the visits of the polyleges 32.5 per cent are to Mas, 30.8 to Ma and 37.0 to red; of the inquilines 38.4 to Mas, 36.3 to Mis, 35.8 to yellow and 40.4 to white; of the oligoleges 68.2 to Mas, 45.5 to yellow and 36.2 to red. The polyleges show the highest percentages to Ma and red, the oligoleges to Mas and yellow, and the inquilines to Mis and white. The oligoleges show the highest percentage of visits to social flowers, 86.0, and the polyleges to non-social 43.9. Forty-two prefer non-social flowers. Non-pollinating visits (66) show for Ma 68.1, Mas 28.7 168 Psyche [October and red 56.0. The I'ong-tongued bee visits show gains over the short-tongued of 19.6 for Ma, 23.8 for Mas and 22.1 for red. Short-tongued Bees. — Of 3002 visits to 305 flowers, 46.7 per cent are to Mis, 24.4 to Mi, 10.8 to Pol, 52.1 to white, 35.8 to yellow, 10.8 to Umbelliferse and 21.9 to Compositse. Of the flowers visited Mis shows 29.1 per cent and Mi 32.1. Ninety- seven prefer Mis, 20 Mas, 18 Mi, 6 Pol, 4 Ma, 87 white, 53 yellow and ten red. Visits to red are 11.9 per cent, Berlin Garden 34.3, Alps 36.2. There is a preference for Mas after June. The max- imum changes from AB39.1 to B' 44.1. Of the visits of the polyleges (Prosopis excluded) 44.6 per cent are to Mis, 27.9 to Mi, 9.3 to Pol, 52.8 to white, 33.3 to yellow; of the oligoleges 49.7 to Mis, 31.7 to Mas, 7.1 to Pol, 55.3 to yellow; of the in- quilines 58.7 to Mis, 29.3 to Pol, 62.7 to white and 36.5 to yellow. Their preference for Mi connects the short-tongued bees pretty definitely with the origin of these most primitive entomophilous flowers. The short-tongued bees, compared with the long-tongued, show preferences for Mi 12.4, Mis 24.6, Pol 6.4, white 17.6 and yellow 4.4. Non-pollinating visits (192) show under Ma 56.7, Mas 38.5 and red 53.6. Bees, Total (6063 visits to 417 flowers). — Of bee visits 34.2 per cent are to Mis, 25.7 to Mas, 43.2 to white and 33.5 to yellow, 127 preferring Mis, 93 Mas, 35 Ma, 29 Mi, 6 Pol, 130 white, 96 yellow and 70 red. Visits to red are 23.1 per cent, Berlin Garden 55.4 and the Alps 57.1. As might be expected, bee visits coincide more nearly with the observed flora than the visits of any other group of anthophilous insects. Before July the bees prefer Mis, after June they prefer Mas. The change in the maximum from Mis 38.1 to Mas 45.2 results from the combination of the short-tongued bees which pre- dominate early with the long-tongued bees which predominate late. The maximum shifts from AB 29.9 to B' 45.7. The polyleges {Prosopis excluded) make 73.3 per cent of the total bee visits. They show the highest percentages of visits to Ma 16.9, Mi 21.0, red 24.6 and white 44.6, the oligoleges to Mas 50.0 and yellow 50.4, and the inquilines to Mis 39.9 and Pol 8.5. 1923] Flower Visits of Insects 169 Of the visits of bees 13.9 per cent are to Ma and these are 81.6 per cent of the total visits to that class. Bees show the highest percentages of visits to flowers of all classes, except Pol, and to all colors, Ma 81.6, Mi 59.7, Mas 54.7, Mis 37.3, red 59.7, white 36.6, yellow 45.9. They are 22.9 per cent of the insects observed and make 43.3 per cent of the visits. According to the general visits the long-tongued bees show a preference for Mas 19.0, for Mis 0.6. In the case of 61 flowers on which the individuals were taken as they came, they showed a gain over visits for Ma 8.9 and Mas 15.4. The short-tongued bee visits show a preference for Mis 25.2, Pol 5.6 and Mi 0.2. The individuals show a gain over visits for Mis, 33.1. So the characteristic differences between long-tongued and short-tongued bees are better indicated by counting the individuals than by counting the visits. Literature Cited. 1. Knuth, P. Handbook of flower pollination. 1:1-382. (1906). Transl. of Handbuch der Bliitenbiologie. 1898. 2. Loew, E. Beobachtungen fiber den Blumenbesuch von Insekten an Freilandpflanzen des Botanischen Gartens zu Berlin. Jahrb. K. bot. Gart. Berlin. 3:69-118, 253-9. (1-94). 1884. 3 Weitere Beobachtungen u. s. w. Jahrb. k. bot. Gart. Berlin. 4:93-178. 1886. 4. Muller, H. The fertilisation of flowers. (1883). Transl. of Die Befruchtung der Blumen. 1873. 5 Die Alpenblumen, ihre Befruchtung durch Insekten und ihre Anpassungen an dieselben. 1881. 6. Robertson, C. Flowers and insects. I-XXII. Botanical Gazette 1889-1923. 7 Synopsis of Panurgidse. Psyche 29:159-173 1922. 170 Psyche [October A NEW GENUS OF MAYFLIES FROM THE MIOCENE OF FLORISSANT , COLORADO. By T. D. a. Cockerell. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo. Among some fossil insects from Florissant kindly loaned by Director J. D. Figgins of the Colorado Museum of Natural History, I find a very fine Ephemerid belonging to the Siphlonu- ridse* and apparently referable to an undescribed genus. Banks, in 1907, treated Chirotonetes and Ameletus of Eaton as synonyms of Siphlonurus. On this broad basis the fossil might also be referred to Siphlonurus] but more recent authors have re- cognized Eaton’s segregates, and from this point of view Siph- lurites forms a sufficiently valid genus. In the description, I have followed Tillyard’s revised nomenclaturef, but it should be understood that Tillyard’s first and second cubitus are Comstock’s first and second anals (following Miss Morgan) ; Tillyard’s media is Comstock’s cubitus, and Comstock’s media is considered part of the radius. In Needham’s key to the genera J, Siphlurites runs out on p. 25 at ff, forming a third section as follows : fff. The intercalates between the first aud second anal veins (of Needham and Comstock) represented by a pair of veins, the first simple, the second forking, from the first anal to the wing margin, and a third vein which bends and runs a long course parallel with the first anal, emitting below about nine simple veins to the margin Siphlurites. Siphlurites new genus. Anterior wings with costa somewhat arched basally, the costal area broadened, so that its depth is I mm., gradually decreasing apicad; transverse veins of costal area numerous *Tillyard writes Siphluridae, but Eaton named the type genus Siphlonurus in 1868, and was not at liberty to alter it to Siphlurus in 1871. fTransactions New Zealand Institute 54. (1923) p. 227. JBull. 86, New York State Museum (1905) pp. 23-26. 1923] A New Genus of Mayflies 171 in subbasal region, forming cells which are twice as high as long? but beyond they become widely spaced, forming cells which are much longer than high; subcosta in subbasal region very close to radius, gradually diverging from it, so that near middle of wing the subcosta is equally distant from costa and radius; radial sector with four very oblique branches, the first forking a little over 6 mm, from end, and including within the forks a supplementary longitudinal vein; the second and third branches of the radial sector originate close together, but the origin of the third, though delicate, is not obsolete; the fourth, arising about 7.6 mm. from end of wing, starts downward at nearly a right angle with the sector, and then bends distad; between it and the sector are three supplementary veins, the first long, the two lower shorter; media branching about 3.7 mm. from base of wing, the fork very acute, and between the branches a long supplementary vein, and near the margin four short very delicate supplementary veins, two above and two below the main sup- plement; cubitus with main (upper) part strong, slightly curved subapically, emitting about five cross veins to the strongly arched second cubitus, then two long veins (the second forked) to margin, then, beyond level of end of second cubitus, a vein which curves distad travelling to the margin parallel with the first cubitus, and emitting about nine oblique veins below. Hind wings developed, but the details cannot be made out. Type the following, Siphlurites explanatus, sp. nov. Length from front of head to end of abdomen 21 mm.; expanse 44 mm.; length of anterior wings 21 mm., the width about middle 7.7 mm.; eyes to base of wings 1.7 mm., the pro- thoracic region short and broad (it is considerably longer in Ephemera howarthi.) Head and thorax brown; wings hyaline, with pale brown veins; a slight suggestion of mottling along costa Miocene shales of Florissant. Scudder described five species of Ephemerid nymphs from Florissant; so far as can be seen, they suggest the genera Ephe- 172 Psyche [October merella, Hexagenia, Potamanthus and Bactis. Two species have been described from adults. Ephemera exsucca Scudd. has an expanse of only 16 mm.; E. howarthi Ckll has three strong tails, as in true Ephemera. In the somewhat arched costa and broad costal area Siphlurites agrees with Cronicus anomalus (Pictet) from Baltic amber, but is is otherwise quite different. It is worthy of note that in the Permian Protereisma and Protechma of Sellards the first cubitus emits a couple of veins at very acute angles (not curved at base as the long branch of Siphlurites), and these proceed distad to the margin, subparallel with the first cubitus. Thus the special feature of Siphlurites may be regarded as primitive. The Permian insects constitute a distinct family Protereismatidse, having the lower wings almost or quite as large as the upper. 1923] Utah Varieties of a Rose Root Gall Wasp 173 UTAH VARIETIES OF A ROSE ROOT GALL WASP (HYMENOPTERA)^ By Allan R. Hubter. Diplolepis radicum var. utahensis (Bassett) Rhodites Utahensis Bassett, 1890, Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., XVII, p. 62. Diplolepis radicum utahensis Kinsey, 1922 (in part), Ind. Univ. Studies, 53, p. 68. Female. — Differs from the female of variety angustior in the following characters; Parapsidal grooves more gradually convergent toward and more separated at the scutellum; med an groove distinctly but discontinuously indicated for one half the mesonotal length; anterior parallel lines not as distinct toward the pronotum; the smooth area on the scutellum is larger, more rugose, and connected to the mesonotum by a much wider isthmus; the transverse, rugose band across the mesopleura is considerably wider and less distinct in outline; the rufous area on the abdomen, dorso-basally, is larger and lighter; the areolet is a little smaller. Male. — Differs from the male of variety angustior only in varietal characters as described for the female. Gall. — Practically the same as the gall of angustior. Range. — Utah: Thistle (Weld), Price (Kinsey). Probably occurs throughout the Colorado Plateau country of parts of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona. Types. — Lost. Diplolepis radicum var. angustior var. nov. Diplolepis radicum utahensis Kinsey, 1922 (in part), Ind. Univ. Studies, 53, p. 68. Female. — Differs from utahensis in the following characters: Parapsidal grooves make an abrupt curve in, and converge more closely at the scutellum; median groove is variable, from a mere indication at the scutellum to discontinuous indications for one-third of the mesonotal length, and is less distinct; an- iContribution from the Zoological Laboratories of Indiana University No. 195 (Entomo- logical No. 4) . 174 Psyche [October terior parallel lines more distinct toward the pronotum; the smooth area on the scutellum is smaller, more distinct in outline, not so rugose, and connected to the mesonotum by a narrower isthmus; the transverse, rugose band across the mesopleura is considerably narrower and more distinct in outline: the rufous area on the abdomen, dorso-basally, is smaller and darker; the areolet is a little larger. Male. — Differs from the male of variety utahensis only in varietal characters as described for the female. Gall. — Practically the same as the gall of utahensis. Range. — Utah: Provo, Brigham (Kinsey). Probably con- fined to more northern Utah and adjacent Idaho. Types. — A great many females, about forty galls. Holotype female, paratype females, males, and galls at The American Museum of Natural History; paratype adults and galls at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the U. S. National Museum, the Philadelphia Academy, Stanford University, the California Academy, and the Kinsey collection. Labelled Provo, Utah; April 18, 1920; Kinsey collector. The variety utahensis is found at Price, Utah, while variety angustior is found at Provo; the two localities are separated by only sixty miles, but Price is a thousand feet higher in elevation. The two varieties are so closely related that they have heretofore been considered the same; the relationship is so close that they are hardly separable on any one character, but they are easily distinguished by a combination of characters. The most dis- tinctive characters are the transverse rugose band on the meso- pleura, the size of the areolet, and the smooth area and isthmus on the scutellum. It is interesting to note that all other Cynipidse known from Utah have two very closely related varieties in a more northern and more southern faunal area; utah^nesis has been the only excep- tion, but now that angustior has been described, the rule holds without exception. Plana, another variety of the same species from southeastern Oregon, is almost as closely related to utahen- sis and angustior. Dr. Kinsey of the Zoology Department of Indiana Univ- ersity has supervised this study. r: h I;' Whatever Your Question Be it the pronunciation of Bolshevik! or sov- iet, the spelling of a puzzling word — the meaning of blighty, fourth arm, etc., this Supreme Authority — WEBSTER’S NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY contains^ an accurate, final answer. 400,000 Words, 2700 Pages. 6000 Illystrations. Regular and India Paper Editions. G^. &: O. CO., Write for specimen pages, prices, etc., and FREE Pocket Maps if you name “Psyche”. 500 Pin Labels all alike, 50 Gents. 1000 Pin-Labels all alike, 80 Gents. Smallest Type. Pure White Ledger Paper. Not over 4 Lines nor 30 Characters (13 to a line) Additional Characters, 2 cents each, in total and per line, per 500. Trimmed. Prices subject to change without notice. G. V. BLAGKBURN, 30 South St., STONEHAM 80, MASS. CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB A regular meeting of the Club is held on the second Tuesday of each month (July, August and September excepted) at 7.45 p. m. at the Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston. The Bussey Institution is one block from the Forest Hills station of both the elevated street cars and the N.Y., N. H.&H. R. R. Entomolo- gists visiting Boston are cordially invited to attend. We are the Headquarters for Entomological Sup- plies and Specimens. Special attention is called to our hand made Schmitt boxes American Ent. Go. Steel Pins, Klaeger Pins, Life Histories of Beneficial and Injurious Insects, Type, Mimicry and Protective Goloration Gollections; also Gol- lections of Household, Garden, Orchard, Forest and Shade Tree Pests. Living Pupae from November to March. Exotic Insects of different orders; also Biological material for dissection. Catalogue No. 33, Entomological Supplies, free on application. WARD’S NATURAL SGIENGE ESTABLISHMENT 84-102 College Ave., Rochester, N. Y. PSYCHE A JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY Established in 1874 VOL. XXX DECEMBER 1923 No. 6 CONTENTS Ants of the Genera Myopias and Acanthoponera W. M. Wheeler l75 Notes on the Egg-eating Habit of Bumblebees. 0. E. Plath 193 Notes on the Cape Cod Brood of Periodical Cicada during 1923. V. S. Lacroix 203 Studies in Asilidae (Diptera). A. L. M dander 20 7 A Note on the Nesting Habits of Tachytes distinctus Sm. Phil Ran 220 Williamsonia lintneri (Hagen), its history and Distribution. R. Heler Howe, Jr 222 Notes on the Nests of Odyneriis {Ancistrocerus) hirenimaculatus Saussure. C. W. Johnson 226 Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club 227 CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1923 President . • A. P. Morse Vice-President R. H. Howe, Jr. Secretary . J. H. Emerton Treasurer . F. H. Walker Executive Committee . C. W. Johnson, Miss E. P. Butler 0. E. Plath EDITORIAL BOARD OF PSYCHE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C. T. Brues, Harvard University ASSOCIATE EDITORS C. W. Johnson, Nathan Banks, Boston Society of Natural History. Harvard University A. L. Melander, a. P. Morse, Washington State College. Peabody Museum. J. H. Emerton, J. G. Needham, Boston, Mass. Cornell University. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University. PSYCHE is published bi-monthly, the issues appearing in February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription price, per year, payable in advance: $2.00 to subscribers in the United States, Canada or Mexico; foreign postage, 15 cents extra. Single copies, 40 cents. Cheques and remittances should be addressed to Treasurer, Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Orders for back volumes, missing numbers, notices of change of address, etc., should be sent to Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. 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Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized on June 29, 1918. PSYCHE VOL. XXX. DECEMBER 1923 ‘ No. 6 ANTS OF THE GENERA MYOPIAS AND ACANTHOPONERA.i By William Morton Wheeler. A recent study of the Australian ants collected some years ago by Mr. A. M. Lee and myself has led me to revise the Pone- rine genera Myopias and Acanthoponera, two groups of more than usual interest on account of their singular geographical distribution. The former genus was established by Roger^ more than 60 years ago for a Ceylonese ant, M. amhlyops, which has not been taken since, although considerable thorough collecting has been done in India and Ceylon. A second species was brought to light in New Guinea by L. Biro and described in 1901 by Emery as M. crihricepsK A third species has now been discovered by Mr. Lea in Tasmania and is described in the sequel. The highly vestigial eyes in the workers of these ants show that they are subterranean in habit, but they must be extremely rare, since a total of only eleven specimens has been seen. Their recorded distribution is so discontinuous that we may regard them as vanishing relicts of forms very close to the direct ancestors of Trapeziopelta, a genus represented by a number of species in the East Indies and New Guinea. The distribution of Acanthoponera is even more interesting. It comprises two species in Australia, one in New Zealand and five in the Neotropical Region, from Chile, Argentina and Brazil to Central America and Mexico. All the American species occur in the southern portion of the range and the forms in Central America and Mexico are merely small varieties or subspecies which have strayed beyond the optimum environ- ^Contributions from the Entorrological Laboratory of the Bussey Insti- tution, Harvard University, No. 230. ^Berlin. Entom. Zeitschr. 5, 1861, p. 39. Mermeszetr. Euzet. 25, 1901, p, 156. 176 Psyche [December ment. The American forms, moreover, may be readily separated into two groups, one of which, including A. mucronaia Roger, the type of the genus, and goeldii Forel, have tridentate claws and long epinotal spines, while the other, including the re- maining species, carinifrons Mayr, dentinodis Mayr and doJo Roger, have, like the Australian forms, simple claws and a merely dentate epinotum. In my opinion, the latter group should be regarded as a distinct subgenus, for which I suggest the name Anacanthoponera subgen. nov., with P oner a dolo Roger as the type. Few groups of ants resemble Acanthoponera in having an “antarctic” distribution. Perhaps the best example is the subgenus Notomyrmex of the genus Monomorium, which is represented by a number of species in Australia, New Caledonia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, New Zealand, a few in Patagonia and Chile and, according to Emery, also a few in Madagascar and East Africa. Mann’s subgenus Fulakora, a group of species of the archaic genus Stigmatomma, with ap- proximated frontal carinse, may also be cited in this connection because it is represented in the East Indies, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and Southern Brazil. The Chilean ants of the genus Lasiophanes, which are closely re- lated to those of the genus Prolasius in New Zealand and of Melophorus in Australia afford another example. I might also cite the singular little hypogseic Ponerine ants of the genus Discothyrea, of which a few species occur in the East Indies, one in New Zealand, one of a closely allied genus, Prodiscothyrea, in Australia, a species recently discovered by Bruch in Argentina, one in Kamerun, one in Columbia and one which was described by Roger in 1863 from “North America”, but which has never been taken since. Apart from its occurrence in Africa, the distribution of this genus is not unlike that of Iridomyrmex, though the latter is represented by many species in Australia and is absent from New Zealand, though occurring on Norfolk Island, in the Neotropical Region and as far north as our southern states. When we consult the fossil record, however, we find that the two genera last mentioned were represented by species of Bradyponera and Iridomyrmex respectively in the Baltic amber 1923] Ants of the Gejiera Myopias and Acanthoponera 177 and this suggests that they were cosmopolitan groups, possibly of northern origin, which now survive in the tropics and mainh- in the southern hemisphere. I maintain, therefore, that the same explanation may account for the present peculiar and restricted distribution of Acanthoponera, Notomyrmex and Fulakora, since these, too, may have had a northern Eurasian origin during Cretaceous or early Tertiary times. Mann has recently discovered in Bolivia a species of the archaic Ponerine genus Probolomyrmex (P. boliviensisY , previously known only from a species in South Africa (P. fitiformis Mayr). These, too, in my opinion, may be isolated survivors of a group which had its origin in the northern hemisphere rather than on an antarctic land-mass or on a land-bridge between Africa and South America. Genus Myopias Roger Myopias tasmaniensis sp. nov. (Fig. 1.) Worker. Length 3.8-4 mm. Head subrectangular, as broad as long, slightly narrower behind than in front, with nearly straight sides and feebly, broadly concave posterior border. Eyes very small and flat. Fig. 1. Myopias tasmaniensis sp. nov. worker, a, head from above; b, thorax and ab- domen in profile. situated more than their own length from the posterior border of the clypeus, consisting of hardly more than 15 minute, crowded iPsyche 30, 1923 p. 16, Fig. 2. 178 Psyche [December ommatidia. Mandibles long and narrow, convex and deflected, their external border straight in the middle, the apical border with four teeth (counting the terminal), the most basal small, acute and erect, near the middle of the border, the next some- what larger and blunter and the preapical small and close to the terminal tooth, Clypeus very short, vertical, and transverse, above with a short, shelf -like, projecting, rectangular lobe im- mediately under the frontal carinse. The latter with prominent, closely approximated lobes, their posterior continuations short and subparallel. Frontal groove deep and broad, extending back somewhat beyond the middle of the head. Antennal scapes reaching to within about twice the diameter of their tips from the posterior corners of the head; funiculi long, thickened distally, first joint about one and one-half times as long as broad, not as long as the three following joints together; these and the remaining joints, except the last, distinctly broader than long, the four terminal joints forming a distinct club. Thorax nar- rower than the head, with rather straight dorsal outline in profile, interrupted at the pronounced promesonotal and mesoepinotal sutures; pronotum broader than long, somewhat rounded above and on the sides; mesonotum transversely elliptical, nearly twice as broad as long; epinotum subcuboidal, the base straight and distinctly longer than the abrupt declivity with which it forms a rounded rectangle, the declivity flat, not marginate on the sides or above. Petiole subcuboidal, higher and somewhat broader than long, rounded above; in dorsal view trapezoidal, narrower in front than behind, with straight sides and very feebly concave anterior and posterior borders, its ventral surface anteriorly with a small, blunt, lamellate tooth. Postpetiole broader than long, nearly half again as broad as the petiole, truncated in front and marked off by a strong constriction from the broader and more rounded first gastric segment, which is about one and one-third times as broad as long. Remaining segments very small. Sting well-developed. Legs long and rather stout; middle and hind tibiae each with a well developed spur, the one on the hind tibiae larger. Very smooth and shining; mandibles with a few scattered punctures; clypeus transversely rugulose; cheeks finely punc- 1923] Ants of the Genera Mijopias and Acanthoponcra T79 tate; upper surface of head, thorax, petiole, postpetiole and first gastric segment rather coarsely punctate, the punctures being smallest and most numerous on the head, largest and least numerous on the thorax and node and intermediate in size and density on the postpetiole and gaster. Legs rather finely and indistinctly punctulate. Hairs yellow, sparse, erect or suberect, longest on the gaster; short, abundant and subappressed on the appendages. Pubescence long, distinct only on the dorsal surface of the head. Deep ferruginous brown; clypeus and borders of mandibles darker; legs paler, dull brownish yellow. Described from two specimens taken by Mr. A. M. Lea at Hobart, Tasmania. This species seems to be very close to the two other known species of the genus. It differs from amhlyops in possessing an additional tooth on the mandibles, from crihriceps in having a shorter head and petiole and smaller eyes, and from both in having a small rectangular shelf-like lobe which projects from the upper part of the clypeus immediately under and between the lobes of the frontal carinae. This last character is of peculiar significance since a similar though longer rectangular projection is one of the peculiarities of Trapeziopelta Alayr, a genus in other respects very closely related to Myopias, as Emery has remarked. One might, indeed, go so far as to regard Trapezio- pelta as a subgenus of Myopias. Genus Acanthoponera Mayr Acanthoponera {Anacanthoponera) imhellis Emery (Fig. 2.) Acanthoponera imhellis Emery, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 39, 1895, p. 346^ ; Gen. Insect. Ponerinie 1911, p. 36 g ; Forel, Ark. Zook 9, 1915, p. 10 ^ . The typical form of this species was originally described from Kamerunga, Queenssland, but seems to be widely dis- tributed in Australia. Forel has recorded it from Adelaide, South Australia (E. Mjbberg), and I have seen specimens taken by Mr. A. M. Lea at Port Lincoln and Gawler in the same com- 180 Psyche [December mon wealth. Emery gives the length of the type specimen as 2.75 mm. My specimens are somewhat larger (3.2 mm.) and Forel’s measured 3-3.2 mm. The petiole when viewed from above is decidedly broader than long, the postpetiole and gaster are decidedly shining, the former densely punctate, with super- Fig. 2. Acanthoponera {Anacanlhoponera) imbdlis Emery, worker, a, head from above h, thorax and abdomen in profile. imposed, scattered, larger punctures, or foveolae, which have sharp anterior borders so that they are somewhat ‘^eingestochen”, to use a German expression. The color appears to be rather variable, the gaster being sometimes dark brown like the head or like both the head and thorax, sometimes paler brown with only the head dark. Var. hilar is For el. Ectatomma {Acanthoponera) Enbellis var. hilare Forel, Ann. Soc. Belg. 39, 1895, p. 421 ^ . Acanthoponera imbellis var. hilaris Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, p. 10 ^ . According to Forel, this variety, taken at Mackay, Queens- land (Gilbert Turner), is larger than the type (3.6 mm.) and differs in sculpture as follows: ‘‘Abdomen densely punctate and subopaque. All the remainder densely and finely reticulate- punctate and opaque. Moreover, the front is coarsely longi- tudinally rugose, while the other portions of the head, the thorax 1923] Ants of the Genera Myopias and Acanthoponera 181 and petiole are covered with dense, superimposed foveolse, in part reticulate or transformed into rugse.” A single specimen taken at Sydney, New South Wales (A. M. Lea) agrees with this description. Worker. Length 2.5-3 mm. Differing from the typical mihellis and the preceding variety in having the petiolar node distinctly longer in proportion to its width. The sculpture of the head, thorax and petiole is coarser and the postpetiole and base of the first gastric segment, though feebly shining, are longitudinally reticulate-rugulose. The color is dark brown, with the mandibles, antennae and legs brownish or reddish yellow. One specimen has the postpetiole and gaster paler and more reddish than the head and thorax. Described from three workers taken by Mr. A. M. Lea at Sydney, New South Wales. Worker. Length 4 mm. Head subrectangular, a little longer than broad and very slightly narrower in front than behind, the posterior border Fig*. 3. Acanthoponera (Anacanthoponera) lece sp. nov. worker, a, head, from above; 6, thorax and abdomen in profile. Var. scabra var. nov. Acanthoponera {Anacanthoponera) lece sp. nov. (Fig. 3.) 182 Psyche [December rather deeply and broadly concave, the sides feebly and evenly convex, the median longitudinal costa, or carina, extending back over the front and vertex, very pronounced. Eyes rather small, moderately convex, their anterior orbits just behind the median transverse diameter of the head. Mandibles large and broad, their external border rather straight in the middle, the terminal border with only three distinct large apical teeth, the more basal denticles appearing as mere undulations. Clypeus sharply carinate, its anterior border entire, broadly rounded and depressed; frontal area short and indistinct, with a median carina continuous with those of the clypeus and dorsal surface of the head; frontal carinse separated as in imhellis^ subparallel, scarcely reaching to the level of the anterior orbits, bordering a depressed area on each side for the accomodation of the antennse. Scapes of the latter reaching somewhat beyond the eyes; funi- cular joints 2-7 subequal, transverse but less so than in imhellis, the three terminal joints forming an indistinct club, the last joint somewhat longer than the two preceding subequal joints together. Thorax in profile feebly rounded above, slightly more convex and broadest in the region of the pronotum, which is transversely subrectangular, with distinctly dentate anterior corners, the teeth being nearly as long as the width of their bases. Promesonotal suture subangular, distinct but not strongly impressed; mesoepinotal suture obsolete. Mesonotum short, broader than long, somewhat semicircular. Epinotum with nearly straight base which is distinctly longer than the abrupt, slightly concave declivity, the lateral angles between the two surfaces forming stout, broad, rather acute and erect teeth. The declivity is longitudinally grooved in the middle but not rnarginate on the sides below. Petiolar node cuneate in profile, about one and one-half times as high as long, narrowed above, its summit produced in the middle as a short, stout, erect spine; seen from above the node is somewhat hexagonal, broader than long, the median transverse diameter correspond- ing Avith the narrowed, transA^erse summit. At the anteroventral end of the petiole there is an acute, backAvardly directed tooth. Postpetiole very large, longer than broad, narrowed in front, Avhere its anterior surface is abruptly truncated and concave, its 1923] Ants of the Genera Alyopias and Acanthoponera 183 sides convex, its anteroventral edge with a transverse tubercle. Gaster small and short, much smaller than the postpetiole, the first segment convex above, semicircular, scarcely longer than broad, enveloping the remaining segments which are very small and together form a downwardly directed cone. Sting small. Legs rather long and stout; tarsal claws simple. Opaque; mandibles somewhat shining, finely striate and coarsely punctate, the striae and punctures more numerous near the apical border. Clypeus finely and indistinctly punctate- rugulose. Head between and behind the frontal carinse coarsely and divergently longitudinally rugose, with coarse punctures, or foveolae in the interrugal spaces; sides of head with the rows of foveolae more distinct. Thorax, petiole, postpetiole and first gastric segment coarsely rugose and foveolate, the rugae vermicu- late and reticulate on the pronotum and petiole, longitudinal on the mesoepinotum, including the epinotal declivity, mesopleurae, postpetiole and first gastric segment, most sharply on the two latter regions. Terminal gastric segments smoother and some- what shining; scapes and legs subopaque, densely punctate. Hairs yellow, fine, uneven, rather abundant and rather short, erect or suberect on the body; the appendages covered with abundant, fine, rather appressed hairs with fewer, interspersed, long, erect hairs. Deep castaneous brown; mandibles, scapes, tip of gaster and legs, excluding the coxae, yellowish brown; apical borders of mandibles and median carina of head black. Described from two specimens taken by Mr. A. M. Lea in the National Park, near Sydney, New South Wales. This very distinct species is interesting because, unlike the other known Australasian species of the genus, it approaches the Neotropical mucronata in the armature of the petiole. Acanthoponera {Anacanthoponera) hrouni Forel Acanthoponera hrownii Forel, Mitteil. Schweiz. Ent. Zeitschr. 8, 1892, p. 330 y ; Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinae 1911, p. 36 ^ . Acanthoponera hrounii Forel, Trans. New Zealand Inst. 37, 1904, p. 353 S . 184 Psyche [December This species was described from specimens taken by Major Thos. Broun at Drury, near Auckland, New Zealand. Forel originally spelled the gentleman’s name ‘^Brown” and named th^ species ‘d^rownii” but corrected the error in 1904. Emery in the Genera Insectorum” questions the advisability of this procedure. I can only record my conviction that such obvious taxonomic blunders should be corrected and not propagated in- definitely in the literature in a spirit of silly pedantry. Subsp. kirki subsp. nov. (Fig. 4.) W orker. Length 2.3-3 mm. Smaller than the typical form of the species, which measures 3. 2-3. 5 mm. The head is not coarsel}^ but very finely and in- distinctly rugulose. The declivity of the epinotum is strongly concave, its lateral marginations enlarged above to form blunt but distinct teeth. The color differs from that of the type as Fig !. Acanihopoitera (Anacanthoponera) byoinii Forel snhsp. kirki suhsp. nov. a, head of worker from above; b, thorax and abdomen of same in profile; c, thorax and abdomen of ergatomorphic female in profile. 1923] Ants of the Genera Myopias and Acanthoponera 185 follows; Body ferruginous red; mandibles, clypeus, mesonotum and gaster brownish yellow; dorsal siudace of epinotum, the petiole and posterior borders of postpetiole and gastric segments dark brown; coxse and legs pale yellow, knees and tarsi reddish. Female. Length 3.2 mm. Wingless and ergatomorphic, differing from the worker only in its slightly larger size, in possessing small ocelli, in having the marginations of the epinotal declivity more rounded and less dentate above and in the larger abdomen, the postpetiole and first gastric segment especially being more Amluminous. The color of the body is also different, the pronotum being darker then the meso- and epinotum, the petiole, postpetiole and gaster reddish brown like the pronotum, with the posterior borders of the segments brownish yellow. The anterior is somewhat paler than the posterior half ot the head. Described from numerous workers and a single female which I took Sept. 5, 1914 from a single colony, comprising about 100 individuals in the Waitakari Forest, near Auckland, New Zealand. The ants were nesting under a dead branch of one of the huge kaori trees {Agathis australis), which was lying on an exposed root of the tree from which it had fallen. When first disturbed the workers were quite active but on being touched curled up and “feigned death”. Similar behavior was observed by Hets- chko in the Brazilian A. dentinodis, according to Mayr. The single female, described above, was evidently the mother queen of the colony, which had a number of small larvae. These resembled the larvae of Ectatomma in being smooth, that is nontuberculate, and in being covered with dense, soft hairs. The subspecies is dedicated to Prof. H. B. Kirk of Victoria University, Wellington, the memory of whose kindness during my sojourn in New Zealand I shall always cherish. The occurence of a single ergatomorphic female as the mother queen of kirki is of interest, because so few females of Acantho- ponera have been taken, and because in the Neotropical denti- nodis, dolo and mucronata all the recorded individuals were of the typical winged type. But Emery in 1906 found two in- dividuals like the workers but with more voluminous abdomens among specimens of the Chilean carinifrons. One of these,. 186 Psyche [December with the larger abdomen, was paler in color than the workers, with higher petiole and more pubescent legs and gaster. He regarded this individual as an ergatoid female and the other as a form transitional to the normal worker. That he was correct in his assumption is shown by the foregoing observations on kirki. Whether such ergatomorphic females ever co-exist with winged forms in the same species or colony will have to be de- termined by future observations. I insert here a list of the American species and varieties of Acanthoponera with their synonymy and known distribution: AcantJioponera {Anacanthoponera) carinifrons (Mayr) Heteroponera carinifrons Mayr, Verb. zool. bot. Ges. Wien 37, 1887, p. 533 9 ; Dalla Torre, Cat. Hymen. 7, 1893, p. 43 ^ . Acanthoponera carinifrons Emery, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 39, 1895, p. 347 y ; Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital. 37, 1906, p. 112 ^ 9 ; Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, p. 36 9 9 . Type locality: Valdivia, Chile. Chile: Coipue, San Vicente (F. Silvestri); Corral (R. Thaxter, my collection). Acanthoponera {Anacanthoponera) dentmodis Alayr. Ectatonima {Acanthoponera) dentinode Mayr, Verh. zool. bot. Ces. Wien 37, 1887, p. 541 ^ 9 ; Emery, Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital. 26, 1894, p. 143, 144 ^ . Ectatomma dentinode Dalla Torre, Cat. Hymen. 7, 1893, p. 24 y 9 cf’. Acanthoponera dentinodis Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, Op. 36, ^ 9 o^. Type locality: Santa Catharina, Brazil (Hetschko). Bolivia (L. Balzan); Brazil: Novo Friburgo. Var. inennis Emery. Ectatomma {Acanthoponera) dentinode var. inerme Emery, Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital. 26, 1894, p. 143 9 . 1923] Ants of the Genera Myopias and Acanthopofiera 187 Acanthoponera dentinodis var. inermis Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, p. 36 9 . Type locality: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Var. panamensis Forel. Ectatomma {Acanthoponera) dentin ode Forel var. panamense Forel, Biol. Centr. Amer. Hymen. 3, 1899-1900, p. 9 y . Acanthoponera dentinodis var. panamensis Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, p. 36 ^ . Type locality: Volcan de Chiriqiii, 3000 ft., Panama (Champion). Acanthoponera {Anacayithoponera) dolo (Roger). Ponera dolo Roger, Berlin. Ent. Zeitschr. 4, 1860, p. 293 g 9 . Ectatomma (Acanthoponera) dolo Mayr, Verb. zool. hot. Ges. Wien 12, 1862, p. 733; ibid. 37, 1887, p. 540. Ectatomma dolo Dalla Torre, Cat. Hymen. 7, 1893, p. 24 ^ . Acanthoponera dolo Emery, Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital. 37, 1906, p. 112 y ; Forel Verb. zool. bot. Ges. Wien 1908, p. 342 y ; Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, p. 36 y 9 ; Forel, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 56, 1912, p. 34 y ; Bruch, Revist. Mus. La Plata 19, 1914, p. 214 y 9 ; Gallardo, An. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat. Buenos Aires 30, 1918, p. 18 y 9 ; Lueder- waldt, Notas Myrmecologicas, Sao Paulo, 1918, p. 6. Type locality : Brazil (Schaum and von Olfers) . Brazil: Bella Vista, Parana (F. Silvestri); Sao Paulo (von Ihering); Prov. Rio Janeiro (Goeldi); Ilha de S. Sebastiao, Alto da Serra, Salto Grande, Ituverava, Sao Paulo (H. Luederwaldt). Argentina: Puerto Piray, Misiones (F. Silvestri). Var. aurea Forel. Acanthoponera dolo var. aurea Forel, Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sc. Nat. 49, 1913, p. 203 y ; Bruch, Revist, Mus. La Plata 19, 1914, p. 214 y ; Gallardo, An. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat. Buenos Aires 30, 1918, p. 20 y Fig. 1. Type locality: Misiones, Argentina (C. Bruch). 188 Psyche [December Var. schwebeli Luederwaldt. Acanihoponera dolo var. schwebeli Luederwaldt, Revist. Miis. Paul. 1918, p. 54 ^ ; German transl. Sao Paulo 1920, p. 3 y ; Notas Myrmecologicas, Sao Paulo 1918, p. 6. Type locality: Alto da Serra, Sao Paulo, Brazil (E. Schwebel) Acanthoponera goeldii Forel. Acanthoponera goeldii Forel, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 56, 1912, p. 34 y . Type locality: Prov. Espiritu Santo, Brazil (Goeldi). Subsp. schwarzi subsp. nov. (Fig. 5.) Worker. Length 4.5 mm. Agreeing well with ForeFs description of the type but smaller, with the petiolar spine as long as the epinotal spines and ap- parently directed somewhat more upward. The epinotal spines diverge and their downward deflection is feeble. There is no constriction between the postpetiole and gaster. The color seems to be paler, being brownish yellow, the postpetiole and gaster lighter than the head and thorax (darker in the typical goeldii)^ as pale as the legs, only the overlapping posterior borders of the segments brown. Judging from the description of goeldii, the sculpture of the head, thorax and petiole is finer and more indistinct and the postpetiole and gaster are not aciculate, but very finely and superficially punctulate. Pubescence on these 1923] Ants of the Genera Alyopias and Acanthoponera 189 latter regions conspicuously long. The frontal carinse with their accompanying scrobes extend to the posterior corners of the head and there curve downward and forward to terminate under the e}^es, as in the typical goeldii. Described from a single specimen found running on a cacao tree at Trece Aguas, Alta Vera Paz, Guatemala by Messrs. E. A. Schwarz and H. S. Barber. This may be a distinct species, but as I have seen no spe- cimens of the typical goetdii, with the description of which it agrees in quite a number of characters, it may stand provisionally as a subspecies. Acanthoponera niucronata (Roger). Ponera mucronata Roger, Berlin. Ent. Zeitschr. 4, 1860, p. 299 ^ 9. Ectatomma (Acanthoponera) mucronatuni Alayr. Verb. zool. bot. Ges. Wien 12, 1862. p. 962; ibid. 37, 1887, p. 540; Emery, Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital. 26, 1894, p. 143 9 ; Forel, Biol. Centr. Amer. Hymen. 3, 1899-1900, p. 9 ^ 9 • Ectatomma mucronatuni Dalla Torre, Cat. Hymen. 7, 1893, p. 25 ^ 9 . Acanthoponera niucronata Emery, Gen. Insect. Ponerinae 1911, p. 36 ^ 9 . PI. 2, Fig. 2; Forel, Ann. Soc. Ent. Belg. 56, 1912, p. 34 y ; Luederwaldt, Notas Myrmecologicas, Sao Paulo 1918, p. 6. Type locality: Brazil (von Olfers). Brazil: Matto do Governo, Sao Paulo (H. Luederwaldt); Corcovado, near Rio de Janeiro (A. Muller); Matto Grosso. Var. minor Forel. Ectatomma (Acanthoponera) mucronatuni var. minor Forel, Biol. Centr. Amer. Hymen. 3, 1899-1900, p. 9 y . Acanthoponera mucronata var. minor Emery, Bull. Soc. Ent. Ital. 28, 1896, p. 33 ^ ; Gen. Insect. Ponerinse 1911, p. 36 ^ . Type locality: Teapa en Tabasco, Mexico (H. H. Smith). Costa Rica: Suerre (A. Alfaro). 190 Psyche [December Var. wagneri Santschi. Acanthoponera mucronata var. wagneri Santschi, Bull. Soc. Vaud Sc. Nat. 54, 1921, p. 84 ^ . Type locality: Banderas, 55 km. north of Icaho, Chaco de Santiago del Estero, Argentina (E. R. Wagner). The following key may serve for the identification of the workers of the various forms of Acanthoponera mentioned in this paper: 1. Claws tridentate; epinotum armed with spines; petiole terminating above and behind in a spine; constriction between postpetiole and gaster feeble or absent (subgen. Acanthoponera sens, str.) 2 Claws simple: epinotum at most dentate or subdentate; petiole (except in A. lece) unarmed or merely with a median tooth or projection behind; constriction between postpetiole and gaster well-developed, (subgen. Ana- canthoponera subgen. nov.) 6. 2. Frontal carinae and adjacent scrobes extending around the posterior corners of the head and terminating under the eyes; funicular joints 2-5 at least twice as broad as long; epinotal spines curved downward 3 . Frontal carinae and scrobes terminating at posterior corners of head; scapes more slender, funicular joints 2-5 some- what broader than long 4 . 3. Petiolar spine shorter than the epinotal spines; constriction between postpetiole and first gastric segment distinct; these segments aciculate, subopaque. Length 4.9-5 mm. (Brazil) goeldii Forel. Petiolar spine as long as the epinotal spines; constriction between postpetiole and first gastric segment absent; these segments shining, finely punctate. Length 4.5 mm. (Guatemala) subsp. schwarzi subsp. nov. 4. Epinotal spines curved inwards. Length 8 mm.; female 10 mm. Postpetiole and first gastric segment punctate- rugulose, subopaque. (Brazil) mucronata (Po^er,) Length 6 mm. or less 5 . 19231 Ants of the Genera Myopias and Acanthoponera 191 5. Anterior corners of pronotum angular; epinotal spines straight and divergent; postpetiole and gaster shining and sparsely punctate. Length 6 mm. (Argentina). var. wagneri Santschi. Anterior corners of pronotum more rounded; petiolar spine somewhat more erect. Length 5.3mm. (Mexico). var. minor Forel. 6. Australasian species ; dark brown 7 . Neotropical species; black, brownish yellow, or brownish red 12. 7. Petiole armed with an erect spine above; anterior corners of pronotum dentate. Length 4 mm. (New South Wales). lem sp. nov. Petiole unarmed, anterior corners of pronotum rounded. Length less than 4 mm 8 . 8. Petiolar node concave behind, the posterior border of its summit distinctly produced backwards 9 . Petiolar node truncated behind, its posterior border not produced 10 . 9. Larger (3. 2-3. 5 mm.); head coarsely rugose; epinotum scarcely dentate (New Zealand) hrouni Forel. Smaller (2.3-3 mm.); head finely and distinctly rugose; epinotum more distinctly dentate; legs paler. (New Zealand) subsp.. kirki subsp. nov. 10. Front of head rather finely rugose; postpetiole and gaster shining, punctate and sparsely foveolate. Length 2.75- 3.2 mm. (Queensland; South Australia) Emery. Front of head more coarsely rugose; postpetiole and gaster subopaque 11. 11. Postpetiole and gaster densely punctate. Length 3.6 mm. (Queensland; South Australia) .... var. hilaris Forel. Postpetiole and first gastric segment longitudinally reti- culate-rugose. Stature smaller (2.5-3mm.). (New South Wales) var. scahra var. nov. 12. Black; petiole without a distinct tooth on its posterior border. Length 3. 3-3. 7 mm. (Chile) . .carinifrons Mayr. Brownish yellow or brownish red; petiole usually armed with a distinct tooth or projection 13 . 192 Psyche [December 13. Frontal carinse as long as the antennal scapes 14 . Frontal carinse much shorter, reaching only to the level of of the eyes 16. 14. Sculpture coarse. Length 3-4.2 mm. (Brazil, Bolivia), dentin odi s M a ju’ . Sculpture finer 15 . 15. Petiolar tooth reduced to a mere convexity (Brazil). var. inermis Emery. Petiolar tooth distinct; pubescence more abundant; color deeper. (Panama) var. panamensis Forel. 16. Teeth of epinotum and petiole distinct 17 . Teeth of epinotum and petiole absent. (Brazil) dolo var. schweheU Luederwaldt. 17. Larger (5-5.5 mm.); anterior surface of petiolar node more rounded; legs with numerous suberect hairs (Brazil, Argentina) dolo Roger. Smaller (4.5) mm.; anterior surface of petiolar node more angular in profile above; thorax less convex; legs only with appressed or subappressed hairs; pubescence more brilliant and golden (Argentina) var. awrca Forel. 193 1923] Notes on the Egg-Eating Habit of Bumblebees NOTES ON THE EGG-EATING HABIT OF BUMBLEBEES.^ By O. E. PlatHj College of Liberal Arts, Boston University. Among the older treatises on the biology of bumblebees, that of the Swiss biologist Huber (1802) occupies a preOninent position, partly because it is more comprehensive than those of earlier workers, but chiefly on account of the many new ob- servations which are described by the author. Among other things, Huber (pp. 259-260) relates that, while engaged in egg- laying, the bumblebee queen is frequently molested by the workers who try to steal the newly-laid eggs in order to ^ drink the milky juice’’, and that the queen repels such offenders with great fury. About eighty years later, Huber’s (1802) account was confirmed by the well-known Austrian bumblebee student Hoffer (1882-83), and a few years later also by Harter (1890^ pp. 62-65). Hoffer (I, pp. 12-14) describes this interesting phase in the life-history of the bumblebee colony as follows: ‘‘While engaged in egg-laying, the queen usually is severely molested by the workers and the so-called small queens (and if she be one of the latter, even by the old queen), while the males, although coming into close proximity, do not cause the slightest trouble. In the case of B. lapidarius, I frequently observed small queens, or also common workers, force their heads. between the cell- wall and the dorsal side of the abdomen of the egg-laying individual in the attempt to snatch the freshly-laid eggs from the cell******, an endeavor in which they frequently succeeded to the great vexation of the egg-laying queen.******* “The proper number of eggs having been laid, the queen quickly withdraws her abdomen from the cell, and turning about quickly, first of all drives away the most obtrusive workers and other females, and closes the cell with 'y^ax*******; if the re- maining individuals approach too close, she quickly makes an example by seizing the boldest individual with her legs and mandibles and engaging in a rough and tumble fight with her for a few moments, during which both individuals sometimes tumble ^Contributions from the Entomological Laboratory of the Bussey Insti- tution, Harvard University. No. 232. 194 Psyche [December to the floor over the other members of the colony. She then leaves the individual which has been chastized, and frequently severely bitten in this manner, and quickly returns to the cell to protect it against the onslaughts of others; occasionally, how- ever, she is already too late, for some of the more active indivi- duals have meanwhile opened it [the cell], and have taken out several eggs and devoured them. ‘Tunishment is almost always meted out only with the legs and mandibles, and the [chastized] individual, conscious of her guilt, does not even attempt to defend herself, all of her efforts being directed toward a hasty escape. This punishment sometimes is so severe that the poor creature is seriously wounded or even killed.*****. ‘^When, after such interruptions, the egg-laying queen has again returned to the cell,******she opens the latter with her mandibles and lays more eggs******, molested in the same manner as before*****; egg-laying completed, she remains near the newly-laid eggs for several hours. ******* “The attacks of the other individuals become less and less frequent, and finally cease altogether; and these same little insects which previously tried their very best to destroy the newly-laid eggs, now become attentive guardians and devoted nurses of their embryo brothers and sisters; they keep them warm and provide with tender solicitude for their nourishment.’’ Some twenty years after the publication of this description, the Russian psycho-biologist Wagner (1907) published a com- prehensive treatise on bumblebees, in which he denies the correct- ness of Hoffer’s (1882-83) observation, because Wagner (p. 90) found that whenever he opened an egg-cell in one of his bumble- bee colonies, the workers invariably repaired the damage without molesting the eggs^. Only once did Wagner (pp. 90; 111-112) ^In regard to these experiments of Wagner (p. 90), it may be stated that more than a century before it was discovered by Huber (1802) that bumblebee workers seldom show a desire to rob eggs after the latter are a day old. Huber (p. 260) says; “It seems that the old eggs are less sought after by the workers than those which are newh^-laid; indeed I have seldom seen workers attack them the second day. “I once tried to offer them old eggs just as the^^ were attacking the fresh ones; they carefully closed up the first without attempting to eat them.” It seems probable therefore that the eggs which Wagner (p. 90) used in his experiments were not newly-laid eggs. 1923] Notes on the Egg-Eating Habit of Bumblebees 195 observe that an egg was sucked dry by a worker, but he believes that this was entirely due to the fact that the egg was accidentally injured, and that the worker, after having tasted the sweet juice, found the latter suitable as food. ‘‘If”, says Wagner (p. 88), “this affair [the fight for the eggs] took place in the manner described by the author, bumblebee colonies could never become as populous as they actually are, since the eggs would be inevitably destroyed by one of the workers as soon as the queen takes up the pursuit of other obtrusive workers; this [the destruction of the eggs] naturally takes considerably less time than is required for a rough and tumble fight****, and for rolling about on the floor******. During such encounters not only one, but five ‘batches of eggs’ can be despoiled.” Wagner (pp. 88-89) therefore comes to the conclusion that Hoffer (1882-83) per- mitted himself to be deceived by the usual excitement among the members of a bumblebee colony when the latter is exposed to light. Opposed to this negative evidence of Wagner (1907), we have the further positive evidence of Sladen (1912, pp. 51-52) who states that this fight for the eggs may be witnessed in the case of Brernus (Bombus) lapidarius and Bremus terrestris at the time the male and queen eggs are laid=^, a statement which, as I have shown recently (1922a, p. 28), also applies to one — if not all — of our American species. We now come to the more difficult task of interpreting this race-suicidal habit of bumblebees. After describing this un- natural (from the human standpoint) practice of bumblebee society with considerable detail, Huber (pp. 260-261) gives way to the following reflexions: “What is to be thought of Nature, when she seems to give to insects the faculty of destroying their own species, when she permits hivebees to kill their males, and gives bumblebees the right and the desire to devour the newly- laid eggs? ^That “the fight for the eggs” probably occurs only at this period of the life-history of bumblebee colonies, is corroborated by my own observations (1922a, p. 28), and partly also by these of Harter (1890) and Lindhard (1912). Although I had about fifty incipient bumblebee colonies under close obser- vation during the summers of 1922 (cf. 1923) and 1923, I failed to find any trace of such habit in the colonies during this period of their development. 196 Psyche [December ‘‘Would it not seem natural to conclude that she wishes to bring about total destruction? However, the species are con- served, the colonies multiply, the laws are not changed; on the contrary, it seems that is it by the sacrifice of a few that the conservation of the species is assured. Special observations show us that the hivebees only kill their males when the latter have become useless to their colony; they [the males] would consume a large quantity of provisions which the bees need for nourishment during the winter; and Nature prefers the con- servation of the industrious ones to that of the males which no longer render any service after the time of reproduction. “As for the pillage of the eggs of bumblebees, one must seek the cause further. “It doesn’t seem of any usefulness to the colony itself; for the eggs which are subject to the gluttony of the workers are as much the eggs of the workers as eggs of males and females. “But perhaps the Author of nature wished to diminish the number of ‘mellivores’ in that way. “The bumblebees are the largest insects that feed on honey; and if their number trebled or quadrupled, other insects would not find any nourislnnent, and perhaps their species would be destroyed. “This argument will have more force, if we notice with what care Nature has put limits on too great a population of bumblebees. These insects have several kinds of enemies; among others a pseudomoth and a big white caterpillar which feed on their wax, their pupae, and sometimes themselves; they are even burdened with a numerous family of lice which attach them- selves to their thorax, and which they carry off with them in the air.” Although describing the egg-eating habit of bumblebees in great detail, Hoffer (1882-83) offers no explanation of this habit. However, a few years later, the well-known French bee student Perez (1889), who was much interested in the observa- tions of Hoffer (1882-83), ventured to discuss this interesting question. After quoting a large part of Hoffer’s (I, pp. 12-14) description, Perez (p. 110 ff.) goes on to say: “But this return to better feelings [on the part of the workers] cannot make us forget 1923] Notes on the Egg-Eating Habit of Bumblebees 197 the wildness of the instinct which carried them away at a certain instant. That is one of the most astonishing habits among those which we owe to the observations of Hoffer, and one of the most inexplicable which the biology of bumblebees presents. That the egg-laying queen energetically defends her offspring, is such an ordinary and natural act that it cannot surprise us. As for the acquired instinct [of destroying the eggs], that is the natural consequence of the momentary cannibalism of the disappeared ones [instincts] when the indifferent mother abandoned her eggs to the voracity of her first-born. But why this fratricidal instinct, this passing madness, which for an instant interrupts and some- what mars the upright and honest life of bumblebees? Indeed, in the case of the hivebee, we sometimes see the workers destroy, and without doubt also devour the eggs. But that only happens at a time when honey is abundant in the flowers, when the care of storing up as many provisions as possible, obliges them to sacrifice these objects of such tender solicitude ***. Here [in the case of bumblebees] the guilty ones have no such excuse. We are actually confronted with a case of plain gluttony. A freshly-laid egg is undoubtedly a delicacy which gives off an irresistable fragrance. That is perhaps all that we need to see in this habit; an imperfection of the social instinct which selection has not succeeded in correcting. The necessity of restricting too great a multiplication of the colony, cannot be entertained for a moment [as a possible explanation]. Here, as in the case of the hivebee, and elsewhere, a large population means riches and power. And if nature wished to moderate the increase, she had — • without speaking of parasites — a much more simple and less savage means ; that of restricting*****the number of eggs in the ovaries of the queen. ^That is not all. If we suppose that a restriction in the number of eggs is advantageous — which in some way would justify the fratricidal instinct of the workers^, of what use is the instinct of the mother which impels her to defend her eggs, an instinct which is diametrically opposed to the first? Why two instincts, not only contrary, but even contradictory? And if we accept that the voracity of the workers requires a corrective that the maternal instinct of the queen be from that time useful 198 Psyche [December to the species, we must agree that its adaptation is very defective. It would be better that the mother, less impetuous, would not leave the cell for an instant and would not engage in a fight with the agressors. Not a single egg would be lost, and the covetous- ness of the evil-intentioned ones would not be satisfied. How are we to unravel this chaos? I give it up, as far as I am con- cerned. We delude ourselves, I believe, in wishing to seek per- fection everywhere in nature, and under all conditions. Let us recognize that all is not for the best in the realm of the bumble- bees anymore than in other realms.” Twenty-three years after the publication of this rather pessimistic speculation of Perez (1889), another explanation was suggested by the late F. W. L. Sladen (1912). After having given a detailed description of this strange habit of bumblebees in the first part (pp. 51-52) of his admirable treatise on bumblebees, Sladen (p. 257) says: think that the strange race-suicidal habit the lapidarius workers have of at- tempting to devour their mother’s new-laid eggs is associated with the parasitism of Psithyrus. It is natural to suppose that workers that attempt to devour the eggs of their Psithyrus step-mother perpetua^te their egg-devouring instinct through their sons that they sometimes succeed in rearing. In support of this view it is interesting to note that in nests of B. latreillellus , a species that is not preyed upon by any species of Psithyrus, I have never seen the queen’s eggs molested by the workers.” As I have already pointed out elsewhere (1922a, p. 28), this explanation does not seem very plausible. It is a well-known fact that ants, even those belonging to species which are not molested by parasitic ants, frequently eat their own eggs (cf. Wheeler, 1910, p. 332). Moreover, I have frequently seen the workers of Bremus fervidus eat their mothers’ eggs, and this species (cf. Plath, 1922b) probably does not suffer any species of Psithyrus to breed in its nests, a view which is supported by a large number of records (10 by Putnam (1864), “a large number” by Franklin (1912-13), and 33 by the writer) of fervidus nests, none of which were victimized by a Psithyrus. In the same year in which Sladen (1912) published his work, another explanation was offered by the Danish biologist 1923] Notes on the Egg-Eating Habit of Bumblebees 199 Lindhard (1912). After quoting a part of Hoffer’s (1882-83) description and giving a brief resume of Perez^ (1889) explanation, Lindhard (pp. 347-349) describes his own observations as follows: ‘^The lapidarius nest which is shown in Fig. 4 was without any wax covering or any other roof during the warm weather from the 10, to the 20-22, of August. When the lid of the box was opened and a glass plate removed, one could see all that took place in the nest. The bees did not let themselves be dis- turbed by the lighp. Each evening, from about 4 o'clock until 7, egg-laying could be observed. Besides the old queen, as a rule, 2-4 large workers laid eggs, each one in her low, poorly- formed wax-cell. Generally there were 2-3 such small pots in use at the same time*****. The egg-laying workers were very uneasy, but did not bother one another very much, and only seemed to be shoving each other about in order to get a chance to lay eggs. If one succeeded in shoving another away from the cell, she, as a rule, took the other one’s place. They [the workers] could also be seen shoving the queen about while she was en- gaged in egg-laying, but I did not see any worker try to take her eggs. Once she ran from one cell to another without closing the eggs, but a small worker went over at once and closed the cell without touching an egg. The queen however seemed nervous and jealous when one of the small females [workers] tried to lay eggs near her. I saw her one day shove a female [worker] away from a cell, carefully examine the eggs in the cell throw out three of them, bite the fourth one to pieces, and, after having chewed it together with a little pollen, lay it on top of a cell of a queen larva. The three other eggs were turned over and examined by two small workers and were dragged away. ‘‘That was another explanation! Those were the un- fertilized eggs which were used as food for the young queen larvae. “In the bumblebee colony the army of workers comes first®, in constantly increasing numbers, the individuals of each new' batch being larger than those of the preceding one. The last ^This contradicts one of Wagner’s (1907, pp. 88-89) assertions to which reference was made in the earlier part of this paper. ®This, as I have shown recently (1923, p. 332), is not always the case. 200 Psyche [December large workers or small queens in several species approach the old queen in size, and more or less of them lay eggs which are normally unfertilized. After these come the males, frequentl}^ in a large, homogeneous batch; but after this, the production of males in nests with a strong queen is very small. The young- queens come forth 6-10 days after the males, and the production of queens continues as long as the old queen and the workers are in full strength, even if there are produced at the same time some workers and males. The number of large, egg-laying workers in a, strong colony is now quite considerable. The}^ lay only male eggs, and if all their eggs hatched, the number of males would be steadily increasing and would be many times as large as the number of young queens. But this is not the case; so there must therefore be some other use for these eggs, and, it seems, they must be used for food, and only those larvse which receive such an extra albumen-rich food, become queens. ^Tf this theory is correct, Bomhus and Psithyrus species are more closely related to each other than is generally believed. Psithyrus is accused of feeding its larvae with the eggs of bumble- bees and all of its own fertilized eggs become queens.” This explanation, in my opinion, seems to be the most plausible, and is very suggestive. If Lindbard’s (1912) hypothesis is correct, we have here a similar state of affairs as in the case of certain ants (cf. Wheeler, 1910, p. 332) Avhere the destruction of eggs insures the preservation of the species. In this connection a few words may be said in regard to the food of hivebee larvae. Dr. E. F. Phillips (1921, p. Ill) has the following to say on this subject: ^^The feeding of the larvae is one of the most ardently disputed questions in bee activity. The chief controversy arises over the source of the food, some authors claiming that it is a secretion of glands, while others maintain that it is regurgitated from the ventriculus.” It seems that none of the investigators whom Dr. Phillips (pp. 111-116) mentions, have considered the possibility that the so-called royal jelly with which hivebees feed their queen larvae may, at least in part, consist of malaxated eggs^, a surmise which is *^That hivebees sometimes destroy eggs is asserted by Perez (1899) in one of the preceding extracts. 1923] Notes on the Egg-Eating Habit of Bumblebees 201 further suggested by the similarity in color between this food- paste of hivebees and their eggs. Literature Cited. Franklin, H. J. 1912-13. The Bombidse of the New World. Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. 38, pp. 177-486, Vol. 39, pp. 73-200, pis. 1-22. Harter, R. 1890. Biologische Beobachtungen an Hummeln. 27. Bericht Oberhess. Gesellsch. Natur — u. Heilkimde, pp. 59-75. H offer, E. 1882-83. Die Hummeln Steiermarks. Lebensge- schichte und Beschreibung derselben. Leuschner & Lubensky, Graz. Huber, P. 1802. Observations on several Species of the Genus Apis, known by the Name of Humble-bees, and called Bombinatrices by Linnaeus. Trans. Linn. Soc. London, Vol. 6, pp. 214-298, pis. 25-27. Lindhard, E. 1912. Humlebien som Husdyr. Spredte Traek of nogle danske Humlebiarters Biologi. Tidsskr. Land- brugets Planteavl, Vol. 19, pp. 335-352, 4 figs. Perez, J. 1899. Les Abeilles. Paris (After Wagner). Phillips, E. F. 1921. Beekeeping. The Macmillian Company, New York. Plath, 0. E. 1922a. Notes on Psithyrus, With Records of Two New American Hosts. Biol. Bulk, Vol. 43, pp. 23-44, pi. 1. 1922b. A Unique Method of Defense of Bremus (Bombus) fervidus Fabricius. Psyche, Vol. 29, pp. 180-187. 1923. Breeding Experiments With Confined Bremus {Bombus) Queens. Biol. Bull., Vol. 45, pp. 325-341. Putnam, F. W. 1864. Notes on the Habits of Some Species of Humble Bees. Proc. Essex Inst., Salem, Mass., VoL 4, pp. 98-105. Bladen, F, W. L. 1912. The Humble-bee, Its Life-History and how to Domesticate it. Macmillan & Co., London. 202 Psyche [December Wagner, W. 1907. Psycho-biologische Untersuchungen an Hummeln mit Bezugnahme auf die Frage der Gesel- ligkeit im Tierreiche. Zoologica, Vol. 19, pp. 1-239, 1 pL, 136 figs. Wheeler, W. M. 1910. Ants, their Structure, Development, and Behavior. Columbia University Press. 1923] Notes on the Cape Cod Brood of Periodical Cicada 203 NOTES ON THE CAPE COD BROOD OF PERIODICAL CICADA DURING 1923. By Donald S. Lacroix. Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. The Cape Cod brood of Tibicen septendecim L. has been one watched with great interest since the early colonial days of Massachusetts, and it was during those days that it first came to the attention of the colonists who were then settling in and around Plymouth. Early this year (1923) Dr. H. T. Fernald of the Massachu- setts Agricultural College called my attention to the fact that the Periodical Cicada was due to appear on the Cape this season, and he asked me to observe the brood, to get some idea of its range and abundance. The first record I obtained was on June 13th when Dr. H. J. Franklin of the Cranberry Experiment Station at East Ware- ham, gave me several specimens of T. septendecim which had been given to him the day before. The gentleman who brought them in said that he found them in abundance near Pocasset, Mass., in the town of Bourne. On June 15th I went to that territory and struck into the woods for a distance of a half mile when I came into the infested area. This was one mile east of Monument Beach (a part of Bourne). It may be interesting to note at this point that part of this territory had been burned over by a tremendous forest fire on May 23rd-26th (inclusive), 1923, and that the brood appeared first in the burned area. On reaching this territory I met Mr. Lumbert who owns a considerable amount of land there. He told me that the Cicadas had been out for about two weeks (making the first appearance on or about June 1st). Examination of the burned area showed ^ ^chimneys” all over the ground, some of them partially charred, indicating that they had probably been constructed prior to the invasion of the forest fire. In many cases the chimneys were very numerous, one to a square foot of ground where they were thickest. 204 Psyche [December The ‘^active pupae’ ^ were emerging until about June 22d, the height of the emergence apparently coming from about the 16th to the 19th. At this time, during the evenings, tremendous swarms of immature forms came out of the ground and ascended any upright object within range. Mr. Lumbert claimed to have seen several nymphs come out of a single chimney during this time. He also told me he had found active pupae in the spring, about 18 inches below the surface of the ground. The adults were usually all on the wing by the morning following nymphal emergence. On June 20th my attention was called to another part of the brood in Plymouth, between that place and Manomet on a ridge known locally as The Pine Hills. On the same date, I received reports of Cicadas infesting territory from Falmouth east to Osterville; and on Wing’s Neck, which is a part of Bourne extending westward into the waters of Buzzards Bay. On June 21st two specimens were taken in East Wareham near the State Cranberry Bog. The area of infestation of the Cape Cod brood for 1923 may be described as follows: Town of Plymouth. — From the southern end of the village (Plymouth proper) southeast to Manomet and west from there to Great South Pond; a second area around the northern end of Great Herring Pond. Town of Wareham. — Eastern corner. Tow71 of Bourne. — The whole town more or less, the heaviest infestation occuiTing on the south side of the Cape Cod canal from Bourne High School eastward to Sagamore and southward to Bourne-Falmouth town line, and westward to within one mile of the Coast line of Buzzards Bay except at Wings Neck, where the infestation came to the water’s edge. Town of Falmouth. — Whole town except from Falmouth village to Woods Hole where only a few specimens were taken after full emergence had taken place to the northward. Town of Sandwich. — Whole town except a strip one to two miles wide along Cape Cod Bay. Town of Mashpee. — Whole town. Toivn of Barnstable. — Southern half of town. 1923] Notes on the Cape Cod Brood of Periodical Cicada 205 Town of Yarmouth.— WYloIq town except a strip about one to one and a half miles wide along Cape Cod Bay. The heaviest infestations were in the Plymouth Pine Hills central and southern part of Bourne, northern, central and eastern Falmouth, Mashpee, southern Barnstable, central Sandwich and central Yarmouth. Individual, lone specimens were taken at East Wareham, Ellisville (southeastern Plymouth), Woods Hole, Harwich, and Carver indicating, possibly, the former existence of parts of this brood in those sections. Fishermen from Woods Hole said that Cicadas could frequently be found floating in the ocean south of the Falmouth shore. I obtained no record of any on the Islands. (Nantucket or Marthas Vineyard). Older inhabitants of the village of East Wareham tell me that they remember two broods previously when the insect was abundant in the village. Mr. Lumbert of Monument Beach called my attention to a “big green beetle’’ which was preying on adult Cicadas and I asked him to collect some for me if he found more. This he did, and I found that it was the Calosoma beetle, C. sycophanta L. Later, in company with Prof. W. H. Sawyer, of the Department of Biology, Bates College, I took several Calosomas in the act of capturing Cicadas. The order of emergence for this brood, as nearly as I can make out, is as follows: 1st week in June at Bourne; 2nd week in June at Falmouth, Mashpee, Sandwich, Yarmouth, Barnstable, and Plymouth (south of village); 3rd week in June at Plymouth (north of Great Herring Pond). In driving through the infested territories south and east of the Cape Cod Canal, on July 11th, I found that by far the greatest damage done by this brood of T. septendecim L. occurs in the eastern part of the town of Falmouth, around the village of Waquoit. Here the insect has deposited its eggs in practically every suitable plant, including ferns, false indigo and goldenrod. Almost every oak from one to twenty feet high has dead and dying twigs hanging from it in abundance. In several cases I saw oaks twelve feet high and three or four inches through at the base with foliage entirely brown, and much of the youngest 206 Psyche [December growth already drooping. A list of plants attacked is herewith submitted. I suspect many more could be added to the list by other observers, but the following have come to my attention: Aster spp. (Wild Asters), Baptisia tinctoria (False indigo), Linaria canadensis, Myrica asplenifolia (Sweet Fern), Prunus serotina (Black Cherry), {Prunus cuneata) (Plum), Pteris auilina (Common Brake), Pyrus Malus (Apple), Quercus illcifolia (Scrub Oak) and Quercus rubra (Red Oak), Rohinia Pseudo-Acacia (Locust), Solidago spp. (Goldenrod), Vaccinium spp. (Blueberry and huckleberry). Viburnum cassinoides, Vitis sp. (Grape). Quercus ilicifolia (scrub-oak) is the favorite host for ovi- position in every case, but lack of room on the oaks, and lack of oaks have driven the females to laying in practically any woody plant available. One of the interesting points in this season’s occurrence of the Cicada, is the uneven emergence through the whole brood; often sections of the brood but a few miles distant from one another emerging at different times. Another interesting feature is the ‘‘patchy” occurrence throughout the area of infestation. Some places are heavily infested and others within the suspected area are practically free from the insect, although the same host plants and the same soil conditions exist in both cases. The digging of the Cape Cod Canal has disrupted part of the brood, as no Cicadas could be found within 100-500 feet of the canal banks. About July 1st dead Cicadas could be picked up frequenth^ in the infested area and by July 11th, dead and dying Cicadas could be found in abundance. By the middle of July very few living specimens could be found in Bourne, but the section of the brood around Great Herring Pond was still in full operation. 1923] Studies in Asilidce {Diptera) 207 STUDIES IN ASILID^ (DIPTERA)^ By a. L. Melander. Pullman, Washington. While the June-August issue of Psyche, containing a review of the genus Cyrtopogon, was in preparation a similar study by C. Howard Curran appeared in the Canadian Entomologist, April to October. In the paper in Psyche I described seven new species of Cyrtopogon, and Curran’s paper included twelve new species. This curious coincidence in the selection of a genus for review might have resulted in unfortunate additions to synonymy, but such is not the case, for among the nineteen new species described neither Curran nor myself chanced upon the same forms. Two reflections are pertinent in this connection. First, there should be some clearing house where investigators could report their intended activities and thus be notified if the field is preempted. Possibly the National Research Council will in time function in this capacity for all America, or better for all nationalities. With reference to my own studies twice before have other workers independently selected the same groups for review, referring to Malloch’s Agromyzidse and to Cresson’s Sciomyzidse, which papers were in the printers’ hands coincident- ally with manuscripts of mine. Second, the fact that two workers discover nineteen new species in a well-known genus of an eagerly sought family without conflicting with each other shows that much more is still to be done in systematic dipterology than we are wont to realize. With regard to the two new genera described by Curran both have a slender, tapering, third antennal joint with long style. Comantella was established for two species, cristata Coquillett and fallei Back, hitherto assigned to Coj)hura, and because fallei was regarded as the same as Cyrtopogon maculosis Coquillett the last-named species was designated as the genotype. ^Contribution from the Zoology Laboratory of the State College of Washington. 208 Psyche [December I have nineteen specimens of Cyrtopogon maculosis, in none of which is there a trace of the curved claw-like spur at the apex of the front tibiae. I also have another specimen, almost indistin- guishable from the others, which has the spur strongly developed. This last specimen I refer to fallei in the genus Comantella. C. fallei has the fork of the third vein located before the posterior cross vein and the anterior cross vein at nearly three-fourths the length of the discal cell. Its bristles are stronger, the pygidium longer and the thoracic gibbosity more compressed than in maculosis, which has the anterior crossvein at the middle of the discal cell and the fork of the third vein opposite the end of this cell. Maculosis is referable to Curran’s new genus Eucyrtopogon. The genotype of Comantella is therefore fallei Back, synonym maculosis Curran, not Coquillett. Instead of being a highly variable character the terminal claw-like spur maintains its dignity as an ^‘atavic index” to the two main subdivisions of both the Dasypogoninse and the Laphrinse. Key to the North American Species of Cophura. Wings dark; abdomen and legs more or less reddish 2 . Wings more or less hyaline; abdomen black or blue-black, with pollinose spots 4 . 2. Three deep black stripes on notum, the middle one geminate; wings uniformly brown; abdomen reddish-yellow. (Mex.) sodalis 0. S. Thoracic stripes brownish; wings in part clear toward apex 3 . 3. Legs black, the knees, base of tibiae and part of tarsi yellow; abdomen brown-black, the hind margins of segments narrowly reddish. (Mex.) .... huinilis Will. Legs reddish, anterior femora darkened on outer posterior side; abdomen red, laterally white pruinose. (Tex.) hella Lw. 4. Pollinose marks of abdomen large, extending along sides and more or less across front part of segments; tibiae reddish 5 . 1923] Studies in Asilidce (Diptera) 209 Lateral pollinose marks of abdomen not extending across front part of segments 7 . 5. Wings clouded on crossveins and furcations, base of second submarginal cell truncate and with a spur of a vein 6 . Wings hyaline, no spur at fork of third vein, anal cell closed and petiolate. (Cal.) clausa Coq. 6. Anal cell open. (Cal.) trunca Coq. Anal cell closed in the margin; lateral pollinose marks of abdomen each with central black shining spot. (Cal.) highlandica Cole. 7. Legs red; oral and trichostical bristles black. (Wash., Or., Wyo hrevicorriis Will. Legs entirely black 8 . 8. Oral bristles black 9 . Oral hairs white 10 . 9. Crossveins and furcations tinged with brown; pruinosity of thorax brownish, bristles pale, scutellar margin nar- rowly black and with six pale hairs ; abdominal segments scarcely pruinose at base. (Wash., Or.) . .scz’O^Za Will. Wings clear hyaline; pruinosity of thorax grayish, bristles black, scutellar margin broadly black and with two short black setae; abdominal segments with basal pruinose fascia. (Id.) 7nelanochceta, n. sp . 10. Wings tinged with brown; mesonotum marked with brown broad geminate median stripe and lateral spots. (Mex.) pulchella Will. Wings nearly or wholly hyaline; mesonotal pattern nearly obsolete 11. 11. Mesonotum nearly bare; pygidium white-pruinose. (Ariz.) fur Will. ]\Iesonotum whitish pilose; pygidium polished, {cyrtopo- gona Cole) (B. C., Wash., Or.) albosetosa Time. The genus Cophura has been heterotypic, serving to combine various species that run to it in the keys, without regard to their phylogeny. The separation of Comantella helps to unify the group, but it is still diverse. The species are considered rare, only the type material being known of most of its forms. I 210 Psyche [December have taken hrevicornis near Spokane, in the Olympic Peninsula and near Mount Adams, in Washington; at Portland, Oregon; and in the Yellowstone Park. I have also taken scitula at Portland, Oregon, and alhosetosa at Yakima, Washington. The preceeding key differentiates the species assigned to Cophura. Cophura melanochaeta, new species. Male. — Length 6.5 mm. Black, head and thorax cinereous pollinose, abdomen marked with silvery pruinose fasciae on segments 2-5 and round pruinose spots on hind angles of segments 1-5. Facial hairs sparse, white, oral bristles strong and black, a row of black setulae along frontal orbits, occipital hairs and setae white; basal joints of antennae rounded, with strong black inferior setae, third joint widest beyond middle, three times the length of either basal joint, the style three-jointed, including its apical peg-like joint as long as a basal joint of the antennae. Mesonotum with dense pollen, darker gray in center, its vestiture short black recumbent setulae, lateral bristles black, base of scutellum heavily light-gray pollinose, only two short black apical setae, middle of metanotum lightly pollinose. Abdominal hairs inconspicuous, pale, those at base of the small pygidium dark; ventral segments mostly shining black, each gray-fasciate at base and apex. Leg bristles black, hairs pale, inside of distal half of hind tibiae and of basal two joints of hind tarsi thickly yellow pubescent. Halteres yellow; wings entirely h3"aline, veins black, clear-cut, fork of third vein a little beyond discal cell, anterior crossvein slightly beyond middle of discal cell, anal cell open. Female. — Length 10 mm. A pair taken at Waha, Idaho, 12 Aug. 1923; another female, Moscow Mt., Idaho, Jul. 8. Key to the Species of Metapogon. Legs in part reddish; wings more or less clouded on cross- veins 2 . Legs black, at most knees reddish; wings n6t marked about crossveins; antennae black 4. 211 1923] Studies in Asilidce (Diptera) 2. Antennae black; anterior cross vein at middle of discal cell; plurae with golden spots. (Cal.) pictus Cole. Base of antennae yellow; anterior crossvein beyond middle of discal cell 3. 3. Abdomen with large triangular pollinose marks; bristles yellow; femora reddish. (Cal.) gilvipes Coq. Abdomen polished, with gray pruinose spots at base of segments 2-6; bristles black; femora black except knees. (N. Mex.) punctipennis Coq. 4. Mainly black, abdomen with small pruinose spots; wings of male white on basal half, lightly infumated apically, of female uniformly lightly infumated; mystax stiff and black.» (Wash., Id., Or., Cal.) setiger Cole. Body mainly cinereous, base of abdominal segments black; wings hyaline; mystax white. (Wash.) . .alhidus, n. sp. Metapogon albulus, new species Male. — Length 7 mm. Black, entirely and heavily coated with silvery gray pruinosity, leaving only the bases of abdominal segments showing black. Bristles of face and front white, ocellar bristles black; third antennal joint widest at three-fifths its length, the style almost microscopic, setae below basal joints of antennae black; beard sparse and white, upper part of oc- ciput bare except for the row of white setae. Bristles of anterior part of thorax white, of posterior part black, four or five stout bristles in dorsocentral row, posthumeral bristle present, white, two siipraalar bristles, scutellum with two marginal bristles, otherwise bare, two to five hypopleural setae, pleurae devoid of pile except on prothorax. Pile and setae at sides of first ab- dominal segment white, remaining segments with very sparse short white hairs, base of segments two to five very narrowly devoid of pruinosity, hypopygium small black and inserted in the end of the cylindrical abdomen, its hairs pale and rather sparse; venter entirely glaucous. Legs black, the coxae alone pruinose, knees very narrowly yellowish, femora with a few small white flexor bristles, bristles of tibiae white except those at apex, tarsal bristles black, claws black, pulvilli brownish, hairs of legs 212 Psyche [December sparse short and white. Hal teres yellow; wings almost hyaline^ veins dark brown, becoming paler at root, hind margin closely fringed with fine hair, anterior crossvein at two-fifths the length of the discal cell, anal cell open. Female. — Bases of abdominal segments two to six with broader black fasciae, seventh segment lightly black, venter with triangular black denuded marks increasing in size posteriorly, the sixth segment entirely black, some of tibial bristles blackish. Types. — Six specimens Pullman, Washington, and Collins, Idaho (C. V. Piper) July and August. T}^pe in collection of State College of Washington. Key to Species of Dioctria. Femora wholly black, the tibiae alone sometimes reddish.. . 2 . Femora and rest of legs wholly or largely j^ellow or red; mystax pale 11. 2. Mystax fulvous and dense; body brilliant greenish black. (Cal.) resplendens Lw. Mystax generally black, rarely white, if fulvous not dense; body less brilliantly metallic 3 . 3. Third joint of antennae one and one-half times the length of the two basal joints together and cylindrical {Banksi Johns.) 4. Third joint of antennae subequal to basal joints together. . .5 . 4. Legs wholly black. (Va.) Banksi Johns., s.str. All tibiae reddish on basal half. (Va.) . . var. tibialis Banks 5. Legs wholly black 6 . Tibiae more or less reddish-yellow 9 . 6. Wings yellowish on basal half, blackish on apical half. (Cal.) parvula Coq. Base of wings not markedly yellowish 7 . 7. Upper plate of hypopygium wide,- with two broad lobes; fulvous coat of mesopleura extending along upper edge only. (Eastern U. S., doubtful if in West) . .albius Walk. Upper plate of hypopygium narrow, pronged but not with fiat lobes 8 . 1923] Studies in Asilidoe (Diptcra) 213 8. Upper plate divided into two long tapering parts ending in a knob-like enlargement, with a tooth on inner surface and a pencil of yellow hair on outer edge (N. Y.; N. Car.) - 6rms Banks Upper plate a slender finger-like undivided projection about four times as long as wide and with parallel sides, lateral arms short and heavy. (Cal.; Wash.) media Banks 9. Tibiae except tips reddish-yellow; notum heavil}^ coated with fulvous, abdomen metallic violaceous; large species, 11-13 mm 10. Only base of tibiae yellowish; mesopleural pollen extending down along posterior edge; face of male silvery, of female golden; 7-9 mm. (Wash., Id.,; doubtful if East) sackeni, form rivalis new 10. Mesopleural pollen along upper edge only; face of both sexes brassy. (Cal., Wash.) nitida Will. Meso pleura with dense fulvous pollen and pile extending down along posterior edge; face of male silvery. (Cal.) doanei, n. sp. 11. Abdomen wholly black; femora with black line above.. . . 12 . Abdomen in part reddish, at least with lateral spot or in- cisures reddish; femora wholly yellow; thorax polished black 14 . 12. Mesonotum densely coated with golden pollen; wings largely yellow. (Ida., Wash., Or.; if eastern in dis- tribution, probably dimorphic form of albius Walk.) sackeni Will. Mesonotum thinly coated with yellow pollen, leaving two narrow black lines 13 . 13. Face silvery, mystax white; wings hyaline. (Eur.; Mass.) hau77ihaueri Mg. Face golden, mystax yellow; wings dark. (Cal.) vera Back 14. Coxae black; abdomen reddish, first four segments more or less black; arista one-sixth the third antennal joint; wings blackish. (Cal.) ruhida Coq. Coxae yellow; style one-fourth to one-half the third an- tennal joint; wings lighter; hind metatarsus swollen, equal to next three joints in length 15 . 214 Psyche [December 15. A yellowish pollinose stripe extending from base of wings to front coxae; abdomen dull rufous, segments with indistinct black near middle; arista one-fourth the third antennal joint. (Cal.) pleuralis Banks. Pollinose spot above front coxa disconnected; arista longer 16 . 16. Abdomen largely dull reddish; legs reddish. (Cal., Col.) pusio 0. S. Abdomen largely black, legs pale yellow 17 17. Abdomen black and yellow banded. (Or. Wash.) vertehrata Cole Abdomen narrowly fasciate with reddish and with red spot on sides of second segment. (Wash.) henshawi Johnson Dioctria doanei, new species. Male. — Length 14 mm. Robust, black, abdomen bronzed, tibiae luteous, vestiture dense, yellow. Face silvery^ mystax black, vertex and occiput golden, hairs yellow; antennae elon- gate, black, third joint a little longer than the basal two together. Thorax coated with fulvous pollen, especially pronounced on posthumeral areas, scutellum black, lateral bristles of notum fine and yellow; meso- and sternopleurae largely polished. An- terior part of abdominal segments 2-4 sunken, pile of apical segments appressed, deep golden, becoming almost reddish beneath pygidium. Legs strong, hind femora robust, coxae, femora, tips of tibiae, and tarsi black, bristles of tibiae and tarsi reddish, pulvilli brown, claws black. Wings strongly and uniformly infumated, discal cell widened apically, anterior crossvein before its middle and fork of third vein just beyond its end, sixth vein curving forward, anal cell narrowly open; halteres yellow. Two specimens collected by Professor R. W. Doane at Pasadena, California, June 6, 1895. Type in collection of the State College of Washington. The dense pilosity and cons- tricted abdominal segments suggest Dicolonus, but the head is different, the vertex being deep-set and the face flat. 1923] Studies in Asilidce (Diptero) 215 Dioctria sackeni, new form rivalis. Male. — Length 7 mm. Basal half of wings smoky hyaline, distal half merging into blackish; legs black, the anterior knees and the basal half of hind tibiae reddish yellow. Face entirely silvery, mystax, hairs of front, of antennae and of upper occiput black, vertex with scant fulvous coating and not golden. Coating of mesonotum fulvous and not heavy, hairs black; the golden patch in front of wing connected with the more silvery patch on upper sternopleura. The appressed hairs on posterior half of abdomen black, not golden as in form Sackeni] dorsal plate of hypopygium continued posteriorly as two long narrow clavate processes, each tipped without by a closed cluster of black bristles and bearing on inner side of knob a pronounced parallel- sided prong, long black hairs on ventral lip and on stout lateral valves. In Sackeni hairs fringing the ventral lip are brown. Female. — Length 8 mm. Face deep golden. Wings uni- formly blackish. Legs black. Morphotypes. — Priest Lake, Idaho, Aug. 1920; Coeur d’Alene, Moscow Mt., Avon, Id.; Big Fork, Mont.; Friday Harbor, Quilcene, Wash.; Nelson, B. C. (Melander) : Stuart Island, Wash. (H. S. Davis); Wolf Fork of Touchet River, Wash. (V. Argo). Thirty-two specimens. Late one afternoon while collecting insects at Priest Lake, Idaho, I noticed many specimens of a Dioctria running over the foliage of some alder bushes growing near the water’s edge. On mounting the captured specimens there were found to be seven males of D. Sackeni, four males of the present black form and nine black females. The only interpretation is that Sackeni is dimorphic in the male sex. I have also taken the lighter colored male of Sackeni together with the dark female at Nelson, B. C. Light-colored males, similar to D. Sackeni, have been found associated with the dark albius in several places in the East. Dr. Back ventured the opinion that Sackeni, therefore, might prove to be the same as alhius, but the recent note by Banks that the Eastern reddish males have genitalia of the alhius structure suggests that male dimorphism in Dioctria is probably 216 Psyche [December extended to several species. The Pennsylvania female with hyaline wings recorded by Johnson in Psyche, 1918, p. 103, as undoubtedly belonging to Sackeni, is more likely a distinct species. Neopogon salinus, new species. Male.- — Length 9 mm. Entirely densely covered with whitish-gray pollen, abdomen incompletely fasciate with blackish- gray. Antennae cinereous, the style three-fourths the length of the third joint, mystax, hairs and postvertical row of bristles white. Hairs of mesonotum short and white, slightly longer on sides, scutellum bare; a few hairs on propleurae, pleurae otherwise bare, about eight setiform hairs in hypopleural row. First, fourth and eighth abdominal segments almost wholly whitish- gray, remaining segments with transverse blackish-gray marking, pile and bristles at sides of first segment white, hypopygium small, silvery, and white pilose, the hood-like covering pink and penicillate below, venter white-gray, bare at base, last four segments with double brush of yellowish-white hairs directed to the middle and covering a subshining space. Legs as heavily coated as body, nearly bare of hairs, bristles mainly white, claws, empodia and some of tarsal bristles black, pulvilli white. Hal- teres whitish yellow. Wings hyaline, with very faint yellowish tone, veins black, yellowish at base, neuration normal. Female.— Ijength 10 mm. Darkened markings of abdomen present on second to sixth segments, ovipositor, i. e. eighth ventral segment, shining beneath, tarsal bristles all white. Types. — Six specimens collected by Dr. J. M. Aldrich at Great Salt Lake, Utah, July 31, 1908. Type, allotype and two paratypes returned to the Aldrich collection. The species runs to N. Coquilletti in Bezzi’s table (Ann. Hung. Mus. 8. 147-153, 1910) but that species has the abdomen colored as in the familiar N. trifasciatus, with a strong white band on fourth segment, the second and third segments dull black, and the fifth, sixth and seventh segments shining black. 1923] Studies in Asilidce (Diptera) 217 Nicocles punctipennis, new species Length 12 to 13 mm. Black species, with hyaline wings marked Avith dark spots around the discal cell and with brownish clouds at the tips of the veins. Fifth segment of male about twice as Avide as deep, its front border and the sixth segment silvery. Last three segments of the female abdomen respectively Avith a pair of gray pruinose triangles, a pair of squares, and entirely gray pruinose. Hind tarsi of male silvery within. An- tennal style one-third the length of the third joint. Three strong lateral presutural bristles, two supra-alar, two or three postalar. Male. — Face, front and occiput gray- white pruinose; facial hairs fine, Avhite, comparatively dense, extending to the antennae, long beloAV, bristles of mystax yelloAvish, oral, ocellar, and post- ocular bristles yelloAvish broAvn; beard and palpal hairs white; face nearly square, and but little convex. Antennae black, the basal segments subequal, and provided with Avhite hairs, the second segment with a conspicuous light broAvn bristle below, the third segment nearly twice as long as the basal joints to- gether, slender, cylindrical, little tapering, three times as long as the thick style. Upper side of the thorax Avith an irregular gray-broA\m pattern, showing gray, hoAvever, on the narroAV median entire stripe, on each side of Avhich is a narroAv line, abbreviated posteriorly and on the humeri, scutellum, a large square prescutellar spot, Avith a triangular space on each side, and a curved sutural stripe extending up above the root of each Aving. This sutural stripe does not continue across the notum, but stops on the row of dorsocentral bristles, where it connects Avith gray horns from the anterior angles of the prescutellar spot. The broAAur color is not uniform, and is darkest as an interrupted vitta crossing the interior end of the gray sutural stripe. The oval center of the prescutellar spot is denuded and shows the polished black ground color of the thorax. Mesonotal hairs very fine, and rather sparse and long, pale yellowish, the posterior bristles pale, Avith brownish base: disc of the scutellum with Avhite hairs, the margin with two cruciate bristles. Pleurae and coxae gray pruinose, the center of the mesopleurae alone broAvnish; trichostichal hairs long, numerous, and Avhitish; 218 Psyche [December halteres black, their stem brown. Abdomen flat, shining black except for the gray lateral margins of the basal three and a half segments, and the silvery tip, which occupies the whole of the last segment and the anterior part of the fifth. On this segment the silvery band is broadly emarginate behind, so that it occupies but one-fourth of the segment at the middle, and then curves down to the hind angles; this segment is but little more than twice as broad as deep. The vestiture of the abdomen consists of very sparse, appressed, golden hairs and longer erect white hairs growing from black pittings on the gray lateral marks. The venter is gray, speckled with brown at the root of each hair. Legs with appressed whitish pubescence and with yellowish bristles, the inner side of the hind tarsi and of the end of the hind tibiae with dense silvery hairs, anterior tibiae rufous, rest of legs black in ground color. Wings hyaline, but with dark brown spots located at the very root, on the crossveins, bordering the ends of the veins at the wing-tip, and across the wing at the base of the discal cell as a much interrupted band, broadest and darkest in the marginal cell. The hyaline anal cell is closed in the margin, the posterior cells all open, and the fork of the third vein is broken at the base of the second submarginal cell, and there provided with a spur. Female. — Differs in that the gray covering is less pure, but sullied with brown on the face, front, pleural sclerites and venter. The end of the abdomen lacks the silvery pruinosity, but instead, the fifth segment has lateral gray triangles, the sixth is gray except for a median stripe, and the seventh is completely gray. The pubescence of the legs is duller and there is none of the silvery ornamentation. Types. — Male, Wawawai, Washington, May 1, 1909 (Wm. M. Mann). Two females from same locality, April 10 and 23, and two from Wallula, Washington, April, 1923 (P. G. Putnam.) A female paratype collected by E. L. Jenne, at North Yakima, Washington, September 18, 1903, is in the collection of the Washington State College. This large and distinct species can be quickly recognized in the male by the concave silvery mark on the fifth abdominal segment, and in the female by the spotting of the wings as well 1923] Studies in Asilidce (Diptera) 219 as by the maculation of the abdomen. In Coquillett’s key (page 385, Back monograph, 1909) it goes to the last couplet, but does not conform with either argentatus or (Emulator. The recently des- cribed N. utahensis Banks likewise goes to the last couplet of the key but differs from the present species in weaker chsetotaxy, blacker thorax, and, apparently, much smaller size. 220 Psyche [December A NOTE ON THE NESTING HABITS OF TACHYTES DISTINCTUS Sm. By Phil Rau. St. Louis, Missouri A bank at Creve Coeur Lake, composed of sand and soil, contained in a space of six by twelve feet, five nests of this species, on August 16, 1922. All of these domiciles had been established in burrows or openings made by other creatures or objects. Two nests were within the burrows made by rodents, one in an opening left in the soil by a disintegrating root, one in a crack in the bank, and the last in an opening made by a half buried sheet of tin. The mother wasp in each case gained access to her nest by these openings, which were unmodified and quite inconspicuous. A careful study of these mothers revealed that it is the habit of these wasps to approach the opening by flight, ac- companied by a noisy hum that resembles somewhat that of a horse-fly. She drops into her tunnel without preliminary search, or a pause at the doorway, but in a very businesslike manner she plunges in, remains a moment, then flies out and dashes off again. The same quickness characterises her movements, whether she is empty-handed or burdened with prey. The prey is always a long-horned grasshopper of the species Orchelimum vulgar e Harr^. It is carried on the under side of her bod}q held in position by her legs, and despite the fact that its size equals or sometimes exceeds her own, she has no difficulty in managing it, and is not even compelled to readjust it before entering the burrow. She does not experience the difficulty that many wasps do in entering the burrow with a large parcel, since the openings are always large. The activities of one mother were watched closely, during which time she brought in four grasshoppers after hunts of 65, 55, 32 and 33 minutes respectively, and she took from three to five minutes each time to store them after she entered the burrow. ^The wasp was identified by Mr. S. A. Rohwer, and the hopper by Mr. A. N. Caudell. 1923] A Note on the Nesting Habits of Tachytes distinctus 221 An effort was made to excavate the burrows but the sandy soil was friable and in only one was the terminus successfully reached. This was the burrow under the sheet of tin; this sheet lay horizontally about ten inches under the surface of the soil, and by shoveling off this soil the sheet was removed and the tunnel exposed. It was found that her own gallery began about four inches from where she entered the opening beneath the tin. The tunnel ran horizontally and the tin served as its roof, leaving a miniature trench when the sheet was lifted; this trench ran in the shape of a quarter circle for about four inches, where it entered the ground and continued as a straight burrow for an additional distance of six inches, never at any point going down more than M inch below the plane of the first portion. The diameter of the burrow of her own making was approximately Y2 inch. One grasshopper was found at the end of the burrow. It lived about a day after its disinterment. The most interesting feature about the nesting habits of this species is that, though they utilize the old burrows of other creatures, they use them only as a vestibule; but once under cover they dig their own tunnel in a way well becoming to in- dustrious creatures. They do not, like certain other wasps, use ready made burrows for nesting purposes, but only use that site to conceal their nests from prying eyes, where they can work unhindered. My observations on the habits of this species would be incomplete if I failed to note the very interesting and significant characteristic, its ability to find out and utilize the beginnings of burrows, and thus gain safety and save labor. Williams (Kans. Univ. Sci. Bull 8:194-197, 1913) finds that the entrance to a burrow of this wasp had a circular mound resembling “somewhat the appearance of a mud tube such as are made by crayfish.” May this not actually have been a crayfish burrow that Tachytes used as a vestibule to her own tunnel? Williams also finds in Kansas, that the cells are strung along the main shaft in an irregular manrier, and in twenty cells that he opened, fifty six acridians were found. Fifty one of these belonged to the tribe Melanopli, and the other five being Ageneotettix deoruni and Orphuella speciosa. 222 Psyche [December WILLIAMSONIA LINTNERI (HAGEN), ITS HISTORY AND DISTRIBUTION By R. Heber Howe, Jr. Belmont, Mass. A male of this unique species was supposedly figured, without name or description, in 1854 (Emmons, DeKay’s Agric. N. Y. 5: PI. 15.f.l) though the plate is inaccurate as to wing venation (triangle with cross vein) pattern of abdominal mark- ings, and the superior abdominal appendages are shown as distinctly furcate. I feel confident that it was not intended for a figure of this insect. The species was first thought definitely referred to, but not described, by Hagen in 1867 (Stett. ent. Zeit. 28:91) under the title of Diplax vacua, — evidently based on two females collected in 1860, one at Lake Winnipeg and one from the Saskatchewan river (in litt. Hagen) by Robert Kellicott. Later in 1878 (Bull. Acad. Belg. (2) 45:187) Hagen described what he thought to be the same species from material collected at Center, (now Earner) N. Y., naming the insect Cordulia lintneri. The type, a male (No. 2840) was taken on May 27 (1874?), and a female (No. 2839) paratype on May 21 (1874?) by Dr. J. A. Lintner. In a later paper by Hagen (Psyche 5: 371-373. 1890) he again fully described the species, and figured (PI. 1. fs. 10-17) both sexes, recording at the same time the two females taken by Kellicott which he had formerly named Diplax vacua, but here calls Libellula vacua and which he considered identical. He made however a significant remark that ‘Tt is very interesting that this apparently arctic species is found in eastern New York.” In this article Hagen refers to four males and four females as taken by Dr. Lintner, but Dr. E. P. Felt writes me under date of October 17, 1922 that ‘‘Know- ing what I do of Doctor Lintner, I doubt very much if he ever had four males and four females of this species, though I am unable to explain the significance of the numeral 4 preceding the sign for the male. I am inclined to think it must be a sub- number, though apparently Hagen published his record and 1923] Williamsonia lintneri {Hagen) 223 allowed it to suggest at least four individual males and four individual females. This data as we may infer from Hagen’s letter was in manuscript for some time and he doubtless tran- scribed the labels just as they were and later forgot to call attention to the erroneous construction likely to be placed upon the numeral just before the sex sign or the possibility of any such thing may have escaped his attention.” As the label reads V 27 4cf is it not likely that it meant May 27, 1874, a date that would fit in well with the other facts? In 1895 (Journ. N. Y. Ent. Soc. 3:46) Dr. P. P. Calvert placed the species in the genus Somatochlora, and in 1907 (Cat. Coll. Selys 17 :36) Martin referred it to Dorocordulia, and figures (f42) the male abdominal append- ages from a photograph sent him of the type by Dr. E. P. Felt. In 1913 (Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc. 8:93-96) Mr. Wm. T. Davis proposed for the species a new genus Williamsonia, and figured the wings of a female found in the collection of the American Museum of Natural History, New York taken by John A. Grossback on May 4? at Paterson, N. J. The two females from Manitoba are not Williamsonia lintneri (Hagen), but represent a different species, Williamsonia fletcheri Will. (Can. Ent. 55:96. 1923). The two specimens collected by Mr. C. H. Young at Aler Bleue, near Ottawa, Canada (48th Ann. Report Ent. Soc. Ont. 25:1915), and spe- cimens collected last May at the same location are also William- sonia fletcheri though somewhat intermediate and less distinct from W. lintneri than the Manitoba specimens which would have supplied better and more characteristic type material. In my opinion it would have been more appropriate to revive the nomen nudum vacua already applied to the species rather than propose a new name. The discovery of the two species explains the supposed two curious distributional ‘Jakes” that have heretofore been attributed to Williamsonia lintneri, the distri- bution of which is now made clear. 2839. cf . Center, N. Y. May 27, ’?4, “a sandy pine woods region” (J. A. Lintner). Coll. State Mus., Albany, N. Y., Bull. Acad. Belg. (2) vol. 45, p. 187 (1878). 224 [December tyche 2840. 9 . Center, N. Y. May 21, C4, (J. A. Lintner) Coll. Mus. Comp. ZooL, ibid. 9 . Paterson, N. J. May 4, ??, ^b’ecorded 1908” (J. A. Crossbeck) Coll. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Bull. Brooklyn Ent. Soc. vol. 8, p. 93, 1913. cf 9 9 . Concord, Mass. (E. L. Peirson) Coll. d^Howe, Ent. News, vol. 26, p. 238, 1915, Coll. 9 Acad. Nat. Sci., Proc. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist. vol. 1, p. 41, 1915, 9 , destroyed. cT. Frainin^liam, Mass. May 6, 1911 (C. A. Frost) Coll. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Mem. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist. vol. 8, 1921. 9 . Dedham, Mass. May 20, 1912, “in low swampy woodland near Wigwam ice pond” (C. W. Johnson). Coll. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Ent. News, vol. 26, p. 238, 1915 and Proc. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. 1, p. 41, 1915. o^. Sherborn, Mass. April 30, 1913, “taken in an opening in a scrubby woodland adjoining a wet meadow”, (E. J. Smith), Coll. Smith, Psyche, vol. 24, p. 48, 1917. 9 9 . Blue Hills, Milton, Mass. May 13, 1916, “both local- ities were hilly, rocky and covered with at hick growth of oak, birch and little maple. There was also quite a bit of under-brush. Both streams drained a marsh. That is, they were both outlets for swamps, but in both cases the swamps were small. The streams, themselves, were more or less swift; their water was of that peculiar type, containing a large percentage of organic matter in solution,” (W. J. Clench) Coll. Mus. Comp. Zook, Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Mem. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist. vol. II, pt. 4, p. 53, 1919. d'. Hopkinton, Alass. May 21, 1916. (C. A. Frost) Coll. Howe, ibid. sup. 8, 1921. c^. Concord, Mass. Ma}^ 20, 1918 (R. W. Howe, Jr.) Coll. Howe. d. Concord, Mass. June 1, 1919. (R. H. Howe, Jr.) Coll. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist., Concord, Mass. 9 . Middleton, Mass. May 29, 1920. (F. H. Walker) Coll. Peabody Museum, Salem, Mass., Mem. Thoreau Mus. Nat. Hist., vol. II. sup. 8, 1921. 1923] Williamsonia lintneri {Hagen) 225 Stony Brook, West Boxbury, Mass. May 6, 1922. (W. J. Clench) Coll. Williamson; Hammonds Pond, Brookline, Mass., May 7, 1922 (R. H. Howe, Jr.) Coll. Howe. 9. Rumford, R. I. May 11, 1922, ‘'near Ten Mile River and Central Pond in “the shadow of Pine and Hemlock woods .... in low growth of scrub mostly oak swampy with sphagnum and skunk cabbage growth, also checkerberry and other boreal life.” (E. D. Keith) Coll. Howe. 9 9 . Stony Brook, West Roxbury, Mass. May 13, 1922, “were flying in the vicinity of a small pond, one of them on a hillside some distance from the water. This pond is a permanent one, surrounded by low land that is covered with water in the spring, and along one side is a bog with sphagnum and Drosera,’’ (Students, Bussey Institution) Coll. Mus. Comp. Zool. Cambridge, Mass. 9 . Bos. Soc. Nat. Hist., 9 . Howe. c7. High Rock, Summer Hill, Stoneham, Mass. April, 1, 1923, “in roadway and on rocks,” (C. V. Blackburn), Coll. Howe. 9 . Bear Hill, Stoneham, Mass. April 20, 1923, (C. V. Blackburn) Coll. Howe. 9 . Bear Hill, Stoneham, Alass. May 5, 1923, (C. V. Black- burn) Coll. P. Carman, Conn. Agric. Expt. Station, New Haven, Conn. The dates, as will be seen, range from April 1, to June 4, and undoubtedly the reason W . lintneri has been overlooked is because of its flight season when collectors arc not alive to the presence of Odonata in the field. My own observations of the species bears out the above field notes of other collectors. I always find it a woodland species inhabiting the heighborhood of cold bogs and brook runs, and it alights generally on stones. The orange ring on each abdominal segment makes the insect particularly easy of identification in the field. Its larva is un- known. 226 Psyche [December NOTES ON THE NESTS OF ODYNERUS (ANCISTRO- CERUS) BIRENINACULATUS SAUSSURE. By Charles W. Johnson. Boston Society of Natural History. Early in May, 1923, Mr. F. E. Zeissig, of Ware, Mass., brought me four nests of this interesting solitary wasp. The nests are irregular lumps of coarse hardened clay, built around small twigs, the leaves of the tree or shrub being sometimes imbedded in the clay. The cells are near the center, arranged somewhat radially and with a thin silky lining. The nest is figured by Viereck in the Hymenoptera of Connecticut, plate 4, figure 1. Having secured this wasp only from nests, and as species of parasitic Diptera (Bombyliidse) have been obtained from the nests of solitary wasps, I placed each nest in a separate jar and numbered these as the wasps began to emerge. Althouth ir- regular in form the nests varied but little in size, nests numbers 1 and 2 having a diameter of about 40 mm. and numbers 3 and 4 a diameter of about 35 mm. Nest No. 1. Two males emerged May 14, gnawing their way through the hard dry clay; on the 15th to 18th one and two males appeared each day, until the 19th when four males and one female emerged; on the 26th another female appeared, and on the 28th two, making a total of 13 males and 4 females. The specimens emerged through 13 openings in the nest. Nest No. 2. One male appeared May 15, three on the 17th and one on the 21st. On the 22d one female emerged and on the 23d an ichneumon parasite, Acroricnus junceus Cress., female. On the 24th two females emerged and on the 25th four, a total of 5 males, 7 females, and a parasite. They issued through six openings. Nest No. 3. Two males emerged on May 21 and two on the 22d, one female on the 24th, one on the 25th, two on the 26th, and four on the 27th, a total of 4 males and 8 females. They emerged through nine openings. 1923] Notes on the Nests of Odynerus (Ancistrocerus) 227 Nest No. 4. The parasite, A. junceiis (female), emerged on Maj" 22, two male wasps on the 23d, one on the 24th, one female on the 27th, and two on the 28th, a total of 3 males, 3 females and one parasite. These emerged through seven openings. The presence of a parasite in nest No. 4 can hardly account for so few wasps, for nest No. 2, with a parasite, had the same number of wasps as nest No. 3. A. junceus has also been bred from the potter wasp {Eunienes sp.) and from Odynerus tigris Sauss. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB. At the meeting of March, 1923, Prof. C. T. Brues showed some new photographs of insects in amber and gave a review of the present knowledge of amber insects and fossil insects in general. See Scientific Monthly vol. 17, pp. 289-304, (1923.) Mr. Emerton exhibited his outfit for collecting spiders. At the April meeting. Dr. J. ySi'. Chapman gave a lecture on the animals of the Philippine Islands where he has lived for the past six years. Mr. A. P. Morse told about his entomological experiences in Nebraska where, for several summers, he has been observing the grasshoppers that eat wheat and corn and also the binder- twine with which the grain is tied up. At the meeting in May, Mr. O. E. Plath read a paper on the various theories in regard to the humming of bumblebees at the entrance to the nest. This was noticed as far back as 1665 and at first interpreted as a call to the other bees. Observation, however, has shown that its object is to ventilate the nest. See Psyche, vol. 30, pp. 146-154, (1923.) Mr. R. F. Hussey described the development of the sucking mouthparts of the Hemiptera. 228 Psyche [December At the June meeting, Miss E. P. Butler described the de- velopment of pseudopodia on the first abdominal segment of several insects. These at first resemble the rudimentary legs but at an early stage their growth stops, they become enveloped by the growing parts around them and are eventually absorbed. Prof. W. M. Wheeler gave an account of a recent visit to the Panama Canal Zone and the Galapagos Islands, referring es- pecially to the large associations of insects that live in the hollow stems of various tropical trees. 1923] Index 229 PSYCHE INDEX TO VOL. XXX. 1923. INDEX TO AUTHORS. Barber, G. W. Notes on Sinea diaderna (Fabr.) ; Hemiptera, 74. Barber, *G. W. Notes on a New England Aradid, 120. Barber, G. H. A Note on a Recently Introduced Leafhopper, 155. Book Reviews, 35, 133. Boring, A. AI. The Varieties of Monecphora hicincta from the Point of View of a Cytologist, 89. Bromley, S. M. Observations on the Feeding Habits of Robber Flies. Part I. Proctacanthus rufus Will, and P. hrevipemiis Wied., 41. Brues, A. M. see Fameere, Aug. Brues, C. T. A New Genus of Myrmecophilous Phoridm with Notes on Some Related Forms, 18. Brues, C. T. A Fossil Genus of Dinapsidse from Baltic Amber (Hymenoptera) 31. Brues, C. T. Two New Species of Phoridse from Baltic Amber, 59. Caudell, A. N. Phorlicolea holivice, a New Myrmecophilous Cockroach from South America, 28. Cockerell, T. D. A. Verbenapis — A Correction, 30. Cockerell, T. D. A. A New Genus of Mayflies from the Miocene of Florissant’ Colorado, 170. Cole, F. R. Notes on the Dipterous Family Cyritdas, 46. Fox, C. L. Two New Bembecids (Hymenoptera) from Channel Islands, California, 6. Harris, R. C. Occurence, Fife-cycle, and Maintenance under Artificial Con- ditions, of Miastor, 95. Howe, R. H. Jr., Williamsonia lintneri (Hagen) its history and Distribution, 222. Hunter, A. R. Utah Varieties of a Rose Root Gall Wasp (Hymenoptera), 173. 230 Index [Dec. Johannsen, O. A. North American Dixidse, 52. Johnson, C. W. The Occurence of Mnscina pascuonim Meigen in North America in 1922, 1. Johnson, C. W. New Species of North American Cyrtidai, 49. Johnson, C. W. Notes on the Nests of Odynerus [Ancistrocenis) birenima- culatns Saiissure, 226. Lacroix, D. S. Notes on the Cape Cod Brood of Periodical Cicada during 1923, 203. Lameere, Aug. On the Wing-Venation of Insects, translated by A. M. Brues, 123. MacGillivray, A. D. New Saw-flies, Hymenoptera, from Oregon, 77. Mann, W. M. Two New Ants from Bolivia, 12. iMelander, A. L. The Genus Cyrtopogon (Diptera; Asilidie), 102. Melander, A. L. The Genus Lasiopogon (Diptera, Asilidse), 135. ]\Ielander, A. L. Studies in Asilidse (Diptera), 207. Plath, O. E. Observations on the So-called Trumpeter in Bumblebee Colonies, 146. Plath, O. E. Notes on the Egg-eating Habit of Bumblebees, 193 . Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomological Club, 36, 93, 227. Rail, Phil. A Note on the Nesting Habits of Tachytes distinctus Sm., 220. Robertson, Charles. Flower Visits of Insects, 158. Smith, M. R. Two New Mississippi Ants of the Subgenus Colobopsis, 82. Sturtevant, A. H. The Probable Occurence of Parthenogenesis in Ochthiphila ■poly stigma (Diptera), 22. \’an Duzee, M. C. New Species of North American Dolichopodidae, 63. Wheeler, W. M. Ants of the Genera Myopias and Acanthoponera, 175. Wheeler, W. AI. & Mann, W. M. A singular Habit of Sawfly Larvae, 9. Zoological Record, 51 . 1923] Index 231 INDEX TO SUBJECTS All new genera, new species and new names are printed in Small Capital Letters. Ahlatus mirnus, 112. Acanthoponera, key to species, 190. Acanthoponera, aicrea, 187. Acanthoponera hrouni, 183. Acanthoponera carinifrons, 186, Acanthoponera dentinodis, 186. Acanthoponera dolo, 187. Acanthoponera goeldii, 188. Acanthoponera hilaris, 180. Acanthoponera imhellis, 179. Acanthoponera inermis, 186. Acanthoponera kirki, 185. Acanthoponera minor ^ 189. Acanthoponera mucronata, 189. Acanthoponera leae, 181, Acanthoponera panamensis, 187. Acanthoponera scabra, 181. Acanthoponera schwarzi, 188. Acanthoponera schwebeli, 188. Acanthoponera wagneri, 190. Acontistoptera hrasiliensis, 21. Acrocera hubhardi, 47. Acroricnus jnncens, 226. Acrocera litiirata, 46, 49. Acrocera stansburyi, 49. Agaricus citrinus, 4. Agathis australis, 185. Ageneotettix deorum, 225. Allygus gutturosus, 156. Allygus modestus, 156, Allygus niixtus, 155, 156. Amanita citiina, 5. Amanita phalloides, 5. Amber insects, 227. Ameletus, 170. Anacanthoponera, 176. Ancistrocerus birenimacidatiis, 226. Andrenidse, 166. Anisoptera, 128. Anthidiini, 164. Anthophoridse, 162, Anthophoroidea, 162. Ants from Bolivia, 13. Ants from Mississippi, 82. Ants of the genera Acanthoponera and Myopias, 175. Apis mellifera, 160. Apopappus, 126. Apygidial scopulipedes, 162, Aradid from New England, 120. Aradus quadrilineatus, 120. Asilida?, 102, 207. Baetis 129, 172. Baltic amber, insects from, 59, Bembix hamata, 5. Bembix hamata subsp. lucida, 7. Bombidse, 162. Bombus, see also Bremus. Bombus americanorum , 161. Bombus lapidarius, 193. Bombus ruderatus, 149. Bombinse, 160. Book reviews, 35, 133. Bradyponera, 176. Bremus fervidus, 198. Bremus impatiens, 150, 151, Bremus muscorum, 151. Bremus lapidarius, 199. Bremus latreillellus , 198. Bremus ruderatus, 147. Bremus, see also Bombus. Bremus lerrestris, 195. Bremus vagans, 148. Bumblebees, egg-eating habit of, 193. Bumblebees, humming of, 227. Bumblebee trumpeters, 146. Calliopsis andreniformis, 160. Calliphora erythrocephala, 26. 232 Index [Dec. Camponotus femoratus, 30. Campsicnemus wheeleri, 64. Ceratinidae, 163. Chirotonetes, 170. Cicada, periodical, 203. Cloeon, 127. Cockerelliella, 129. Cockroach, new myrmecophilous, 28- Coelioxys, 164. Coenis, 127. Colletidse, 167. COLOBOPSIS MISSISSIPPIENSIS, 83. COLOBOPSIS PYLARTES FRAXINICOLA, 86. Comantella cristata, 207. Comantella fallei, 207. Cophura, key to species, 208. COPHURA MELANOCHAETA, 210. Cordulia lintneri, 220. Crematogaster linata var. parcibiotica, 30. Cr onions anomahis, 172. Cynomyia cadaverina, 2. Cyrtidse, new species of, 49. Cyrtidae, notes on, 46. Cyrtopogon, 102, 135, 207. Cyrtopogon, key to species, 102. Cyrtopogon ablautoides. 111. Cyrtopogon caesius, 112. Cyrtopogon macnlosis, 208. Cyrtopogon glarealis, 113. Cyrtopogon punctipennis, 114. Cyrtopogon riifotarsus, 115. Cyrtopogon vulneratus, 118. Dasygastrae, 164. Desmodium, 160. Diaphorus spinifer, 68. Diaphorus spinitalus, 67. Dicolonus, 214. Dictyoptilus, 129. Dinapsidae from Baltic Amber, 31. Dioctria, key to species, 212. Dioctria doanei, 214. Dioctria sackeni rivalis, 215. Diplax vacua, 220. Diplolepis radicum var. utahensis, 173. Diplolepis radicum var. angustior, 173. Dixa californica, 54. Dixa clavula, 56. . Dixa cornuta, 52. Dixa f usca, 52. Dixa modest a, 56. Dixa similis, 57. Dixidae, 52. Dohrmphora abalata, 61. Dohrniphora concinna, 62. DoFIRNIPHORA LOEWI, 61. Dohrniphora transita, 60. Dolichopodidae, new 63. Dohchopns formosus, 71. Dolichopus interjectus, 70. , Dolichopus melanderi, 71. Dolichopus nnsellus, 71. Dolichous per plexus, 71. Dolichopus uliginosus, 69. Dorocordulia, 221. Echium, 165. Ecitoniyia comes, 21. Eciton burchelli, 21. Eciton coecum, 21. Eciton predatoj , 21. Egg-eating habit of bumblebees, 193. Emphoridae, 162. Endoblastic pterygota, 126. Ephemera exsucca, 172. Ephemera hou'arthi, 172. Ephemeroidea, 127. Ephemeroptera, 132. Eucalyptus corymbosa, 12. Euceridae, 162. Eucyrtopogon macidosis, 208. Eulonchus marginatus, 46. Eeeding habits of robber-flies, 41. Galapagos islands, insects of, 228. Index 233 1923] Gall wasp, 173. Gerardia, 165. Halictidoe, 166. Hemiptera, 131. Hemiptera from Oregon, 77. Hemiptera, mouthparts of, 227. Hemiptera, notes on 74. Hemitaxonus dediticius, 77. Hercostomus costalis, 65. Holometabola, 125. Hylotoma onerosa, 80. Hypocera, 59. Impatiens, 165. Insects, flower visits of, 158. Iridomyrmex, 176. Isoptera, 133. Jassus, 155. Lamproptilia, 126. Lasiopogon, 135. Lasiopogon, key to nearctic species, 136. Lasiopogon actius, 138. Lasiopogon aldrichii, 139. Lasiopogon hvAttatus, 140. Lasiopogon delicatus, 140. Lasiopogon fumipennis, 141. Lasiopogon monticola, 142. Lasiopogon ripicola, 143. Lasiopogon trivittatus, 144. Leafhopper, recently introduced, 155. Leptanilloides, 13. Leptanilloides biconstricta, 14. Leptophlebia, 127. Les Termites, review, 133. Libellula vacua, 220. Libellulida?, 129. Linaria vulgaris, 165. Lithospermum canescens, 165. Lonchoptera furcaia, 24. Long-tongued bees, 167. Macremphytus lovetti, 77. May-flies, fossil, 170. Megachile, 160. Megachilinae, 163. Megalyra, 34. Meganeura, 130. Megafieura monyi, 129. Melectoidea, 163. Melissodes, 160. Metapogon, key to species, 210. Metapogon albulus, 211. Miastor, 25. Miastor, life-cycle, 95. Miocene may-flies,' 170. Misumena vatia, 74. Monecphora hicmcta, varieties of, 89 . Monomorium, 176. Mongphadnus aeratus, 79. Monophadnus ruscullus, 80. Monophadnoides contortus, 78. Monophadnoides corytus, 79. Mouthparts of Hemiptera, 227. Musca do?nestica, 2. Miiscina assimilis, 2. Miiscina pabulorum, 3. Musctna pascuorum, 1. Myopias, 175. Myopias tasmaniensis, 177. Nesting habits of Tachytes distinctus, 224. Neuroctenus simplex, 121. Nomaidae, 163. North American Dixidae, 52. North American Dolichopodidae, 63. Nothosympycnus, 63. Notomyrmex, 176. Ochthiphila, 24. Ochthiphila polystigma, 22. Ocnaea auripilosa, 50. Ocncea hellua, 46. Ocn(Ea micans, 50. Odonata, 128. 234 Index [Dec. Odonatoptera, 128. Odynerus biienimaculatus, 226. Ogcodes alhicinclus, 47. Ogcodes albiventris, 47. Ogcodes borealis, 48. Ogcodes costatus, 47. Ogcodes maf ginatus, 47. Ogcodes pallidipenmis, 48. Ogcodes pallipes, 47. Ogcodes rufoabdominalis, 48. . Ogcodes varius, 48. Ogcodes vittatus, 50. Orchelimum vidgare, 224. Oregon sawtiies, 77. Orphuella speciosa, 225. Osmiinse, 164. Panama, insects of, 228. Paniirgidse, 165. Parthenogenesis in Octhiphila, 22. Paurometabola, 125. Pedogenesis in Calliphora, 26. Pedogenesis in Myastor, 96. Pentstemon, 165. Perga dorsalis, 11. Perga leicisi, 12. Periclista electa, 80. Periodical cicada, 203. Philippine animals, 227. Phora inclusa, 62. Phoridse, in Baltic amber, 59. Phoridse, myrmecophilous, 18. Phormia regina, 2. Phorticola boliviae, 28. Phymata erosa, 74. Pinguicola, 165. Plants affected by Tibicen, 206. Pollenia rudis, 2, 5. Pollination of flowers, 158. Polyleges, 168. Polymorphism in Miastor, 97. Potamanthus, 172. Prey of Proctacanthus, 42. Probolomyrmex boliviensis, 16. Proceedings of the Cambridge Entomo- logical Club, 36, 93, 227. Proctacanthus brevipennis, 41. Proctacanthus philadelphicus, 44. Proctacanthus rufus, 41. Prodinapsis, 31. Prodinapsis succinalis, 31. Prosbole, 131. Prosopididae, 167. Prosopis, 166. Protechma, 172. Protereisma, 172. Protereismidse, 127. Protodonata, 131. Protohemiptera, 131. Psammocharidae, 43. Pseudopodia of insects, 228. PsiLOPUS LONGITALUS, 72. Psithyrus, 161, 198, 200. Pulici phora venata, 22. Rhynchota, 126. Robber-flies, feeding habits of, 4E Salix, 166. Sawflies, new species, 77. Sawfly larvae, 9. Scytinoptera, 131. Short-tongued bees, 168. Sinea diadema, 74. Siphlonurus, 170. SiPHLURITES, 170. SiPHLURITES EXPLANATUS, 171. Somatochlora, 221. Sphecodini, 166. Spilopteridae, 126. Stelidini, 164. Stenodictya, 128. Subulicornia, 126. Tachytes distinctus, nesting habits, 22 E Taxonus inclinatus, 78. Tibicen septendecim, 203. Thamnotettix, 155. 1923] Index 235 Tranopelta gilva var. amblyops, 20. Tranopeltoxenos, 18. Tranopeltoxenos inanni, 19. Triplosoba, 126. Trumpeter in bumblebee colonies, 1 Williamsonia fletcheri, 221. William sonia lintneri, 220. Wing-venation of insects, 123. >. Xylocopa virginica, 163. Verbena stricta, 165. Verbenapis, 30. Viola, 165. Zoological record, note 51. Zygoptera, 128. •ki.-' : " ? J '1 ' . -«_, '• ■ y ’■' '‘■':y:ym - \ ry . k" ’ K ■ ;-,.vk‘ ' - ■4X<'o^vyvk^iv^ , ■V. ■ y , ■■' • . ;- • . . ■ r \ • L. - .i ' ,„ . , ,^.4 -.'.-v-. m- .5d' -,k’ • k '-^p' ■■'X- -rK^ymm AiSt- ._ .JiS^li-;-. .,'s ' - -■•.••r;>,V ■ . ;■• ,;-m; . V ^ Vil . k ..M U )A^£. XJMi 2 i-‘ ^ ’ r Whatever Your Question Be it the pronunciation of BolsheTiki or sov- iet, the spelling of a puzzling word — the meaning of blighty, fourth arm, etc., this Supreme Authority — WEBSTER’S NEW INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY contains an accurate, final answer. 400,000 Words, 2700 Pages. 6000 Illustrations. Regular and India Paper Editions. G. & O. M!ERRIA]yt CO., SFRIT^G^iPIEJLD, ]VIASe. Write for specimen pages, prices, etc., and FREE Pocket Maps if you name "Psyche”. 500 Pin Labels all alike, 50 Gents. 1000 Pin-Labels all alike, 80 Cents. Smallest Type. Pure White Ledger Paper. Not over 4 Lines nor 30 Characters (13 to a line) Additional Characters, 2 cents each, in total and per line, per 500. Trimmed. Prices subject to change without notice. G. V. BLACKBURN, 30 South St., STONEHAM 80, MASS. CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB A regular meeting of the Club is held on the second Tuesday of each month (July, August and September excepted) at 7.45 p. m. at the Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston. The Bussey Institution is one block from the Forest Hills station of both the elevated street cars and the N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Entomolo- gists visiting Boston are cordially invited to attend. We are the Headquarters for Entomological Sup- plies and Specimens. Special attention is called to our hand made Schmitt boxes American Ent. Co. Steel Pins, Klaeger Pins, Life Histories of Beneficial and Injurious Insects, Type, Mimicry and Protective Coloration Collections; also Col- lections of Household, Garden, Orchard, Forest and Shade Tree Pests. Living Pupae from November to March. Exotic Insects of different orders; also Biological material for dissection. Catalogue No. 33, Entomological Supplies, free on application. WARD’S NATURAL SCIENCE ESTABLISHMENT 84-102 College Ave., Rochester, N. Y. PSYCHE A Journal of Entomology Volume XXXI 1924 Edited by Charles T. Brues Published by the Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass., U. S. A. Printed by The St. Albans Messenger Company St. Albans, Vermont. PSYCHE A JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY Established in 1874 VOL. XXXI FEBRUARY 1924 No. 1 CONTENTS Early History of the Cambridge Entomological Club J. H. Emerto7i 1 The Biology of Trichopoda pennipes Fab. (Diptera, Tachinidse), a Parasite of the Common Squash Bug FT. N. WortUey 7 Notes on Muscina pascuorum M eigen During 1923 C. W. Joknsofi 17 Notes on Cuban Ants W. M. Mann 19 Notes upon Surcouf’s Treatment of the Tabanidse in the Genera Insec- torum and Upon Enderlein’s Proposed New Classification of this Family J. Bequaert 24 Notes on some New England Phoridae (Diptera) C. T. Brues 41 A New Species of Dixa from California 0. A. Johannsen 45 The Name of the Lac Insects T. D. A. Cockerell . 47 CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLOGICAL CLUB OFFICERS FOR 1924 President . C. T. Brues Vice-President R. H. Howe, Jr. Secretary . J. H. Emerton Treasurer F. H. Walker Executive Committee . A. P. Morse, S. M. Dohanian S. W. Denton EDITORIAL BOARD OF PSYCHE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF C. T. Brues, Harvard University ASSOCIATE EDITORS C. W. Johnson, Nathan Banks, Boston Society of Natural History. Harvard University. A. L. Melander, A. P. Morse, Washington State College. Peabody Museum. J. H. Emerton, J. G. Needham, Boston, Mass. Cornell University. W. M. Wheeler, Harvard University. PSYCHE is published bi-monthly, the issues appearing in February, April, June, August, October and December. Subscription price, per year, payable in advance: $2.00 to subscribers in the United States, Canada or Mexico; foreign postage, 15 cents extra. Single copies, 40 cents. Cheques and remittances should be addressed to Treasurer, Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Orders for back volumes, missing numbers, notices of change of address, etc., should be sent to Cambridge Entomological Club, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRIBUTORS. Manuscripts intended for publication, books intended for review, and other editorial matter, should be addressed to Professor C. T. Brues, Bussey Institution, Forest Hills, Boston 30, Mass. Authors contributing articles over 8 printed pages in length will be required to bear a part of the extra, expense for additional pages. This expense will be that of typesetting only, which is about $2.00 per page. The actual cost of preparing cuts for all illustrations must be borne by contributors: the expense for full page plates from line drawings is approximately $5.00 each, and for full page half-tones, $7.50 each; smaller sizes in proportion. AUTHOR’S SEPARATES. Reprints of articles may be secured by authors, if they are ordered before, or at the time proofs are received for corrections. The cost of these will be furnished by the Editor on appli- cation. Entered as second-class mail matter at the Post Office at Boston, Mass. Acceptance for mailing at special rate of postage provided in Section 1103, Act of October 3, 1917. authorized on June 29, 1918. PSYCHE VOL. XXXI. FEBRUARY 1924 No. 1 EARLY HISTORY OF THE CAMBRIDGE ENTOMOLO- GICAL CLUB. By J. H. Emerton. Before the year 1874 the entomologists around Boston had been accustomed to meet as a section of the Boston Society of Natural History/ but some of them had ambitious plans in their minds: they wanted to publish a journal, to meet outside of Boston and to have members from all over the country, so a new society was planned and as a large proportion of the mem- bers lived in Cambridge, the society was formed there. January 9, 1874, at the house of H. A. Hagen, Putnam Street, Cambridge, the following persons met and agreed to form the Cambridge Entomological Club: E. P. Austin Edw. Burgess G. R. Crotch Geo. Dimmock H. G. Hubbard C. R. Osten-Sacken Roland Thaxter C. P. Whitney J. H. Emerton H. A. Hagen S. Henshaw B. P. Mann S. H. Scudder F. G. Sanborn G. D. Smith P. S. Sprague Holmes Hinkley H. K. Morrison J. C. Munro A. S. Packard E. A. Schwarz members were elected, F. C. Bowditch L. Trouvelot S. W. Williston F. Blanchard During the year a large number of among them The only officer thought necessary was a secretary, and B. P. Mann was elected to this office. Meetings were held at Un January 1864 members of the Boston Society of Natural History organized the Harris Entomological Club which formed the nucleus of the Section of Entomology which was organized Nov. 25, 1866 and continued to hold meetings until 1886. Its proceedings are reported in the published proceedings of the B. S. N. H. 2 Psyche [February Mann’s residence, 19 Follen St., in a little building in the yard nicknamed the ^‘entomologicon,” and the proceedings were much the same as at meetings of the Club to-day. At the fourth meeting, April 10, 1874, it was voted to publish an entomological journal for which Scudder furnished the name, 'Tsyche.” B. P. Mann was appointed editor, and the first part, of four pages, was issued in time for the next meeting on May 8. H. K. Morrison was appointed committee on excursions, and one was held at Waverly on May 7. At the sixth meeting, June 12, it was voted to hold the July meeting on Mt. Washington, and the August meeting at Hartford, Conn., in connection with the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Fig. 1. Camp of the Cambridge Entomological Club on Mount Washington, July 1874, rom a drawing by J. H. Emerton. The seventh meeting, July 8, was held on Mt. Washington in a camp quarter of a mile below the Halfway House and far enough into the woods to be out of sight of the road. Eight persons were present at the business session: 1924] Early History of the Cambridge Entomological Club 3 W. B. Allen E. P. Austin F. Blanchard Geo. Dimmock G. M. Dimmock (father of George) R. W. Greenleaf B. P. Mann H. K. Morrison The party was joined later by J. H. Emerton and J. C. Mimro. The eighth meeting, August 14, 1874, at Hartford, Conn, was attended by Messrs. Austin, Dimmock and Mann, and they were joined by C. J. S. Bethune, S. S. Haldeman, J. L. Leconte, J. G. Morris, J. A. Lintner, C. V. Riley, Wm. Saunders, and other wellknown entomologists of the time. At the meeting of September 11, The Entomological Club of the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Science was organized to con- tinue such meetings. In the following year, July, 1875, another field meeting was held on Mt. Washington, this time with 24 persons — 6 of them members of the Club, 18 guests: 10 of them men, 14^ women. The August meeting was again with the American Association at Detroit, Mich. In 1877, the Club was incorporated, a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the membership revised, after which there were 24 resident members and 23 non-resident; a by-law defined a resident member as one who lived where he could attend meetings and get home the same night. The average attendance at meetings was for the first year 11.1; second year, 11.8; third year, 7.4 The first volume of ‘Tsyche’’ was finished in 1877 with a deficit of $128.39; the running expenses of the Club in 1877 having been only $3.00. The first meeting of the executive committee was on March 17, 1877, when it was proposed to start the collection of a pub- lication fund of $2000. A circular was sent out in which was the following statement of the Club’s objects: “While the headquarters of the Club are in Cambridge and its welfare would redound particularly to the credit of that city, its membership extends over the whole of North America and its advantages are offered with entire liberality to all the entomologists of the country, as far as practicable. There is but one other incorporated entomological society in the United States — The American Entomological Society in Philadelphia^ — and none other that is actually engaged at the present time in work of general interest.’’ 4 Psyche [February June 13, 1879, a contract was made with Geo. Dimmock to publish Vol. 3 of ‘Tsyche,” beginning in 1880. By February, 1881, the resident membership had fallen to 16, while the non- reisdent had increased to 59. In December, 1882, the secretary, Mr. Dimmock, offers in “Psyche’’ to present at meetings papers by non-resident members and to send them on request reports of meetings. Books from the Club’s library were sent to distant members on payment of postage, but little use was made of these facilities. In 1882 the average attendance at meetings fell to 5.2 and in 1884 to 4. The loss on Vol. 3 of “Psyche” was $252.60, which was paid by Mr. Dimmock, and a vote of thanks passed by the Club. In 1887 Mann moved away from Cambridge and the Club’s library was taken to the Boston Society of Natural History. “Psyche” was not published between 1886 and 1888 for want of an editor, but it was taken up again by Scudder, who had built his new study in his garden and invited the Club in 1888 to meet and keep its library there. The main interests of the Club at this time were the pub- lication of “Psyche” and the membership of entomologists all over the country, and the meetings of local members were small. Presidents were elected from prominent entomologists in distant places, their principal duty being to furnish an address at the end of their term. W. H. Ashmead of Washington was president in 1893 and T. M. Bean of Laggan in the Rocky Mountains in 1894. By 1895 Scudder’s health began to fail and meetings were held at Henshaw’s house in Cambridge or Hayward’s in Boston, usually with small attendance. The annual meeting of 1903 was adjourned from month to month for want of a quorum, and the election took place only in April. The original members of the Club had now nearly all given up an active part in its work. Austin, Dimmock, Mann, Mor- rison and Schwarz had moved away from Cambridge, Scudder was sick, and Hagen had died. At this time a new set of men came into the Club. While the Cambridge Club had been spending its strength in spreading its influence all over the continent, the local entomologists had 1924] Early History of the Cambridge Entomological Club 5 formed another organization, the Harris Club. 2 In 1895, W. L. W. Field became a member of the Cambridge Club and soon after was elected secretary; he was also a member of the Harris Club and arranged the union of these two organizations and at the meeting of December 26, 1902, the entire Harris Club was nominated for membrship. March 13, 1903, at a meeting with three members present, Bowditch, Field and Hayward, 39 members of the Harris Club were elected. Many of these soon disappeared, but among them were a dozen active members for many years, some to the present day, — among them : P. G. Bolster H. K. Burrison W. D. Denton H. H. Kirkland W. F. Low John Lowell H. H. Newcomb J. H. Rogers A. C. Sampson F. Sheriff L. W. Swett A. G. Weeks December 26, 1902, S. Henshaw was elected editor of ‘Tsyche.” Meetings were held at the house of the Boston Society of Natural History and the annual meeting of 1903 (adjourned since January) was held on April 10, with 18 members present. During this year C. W. Johnson and C. Y. Blackburn were elected members. A committee, Messrs. Bolster, Field, Hen- shaw and Johnson, was appointed to take charge of 'Tsyche.” Scudder’s sickness had gone so far that it was necessary to re- move the Club’s library from his house, and having no other place to keep the books, the Club voted to give to the Boston Society of Natural History any books it might need and to sell the rest. Some of these were sold by auction at Club meetings by H. H. Newcomb and the proceeds used toward the expenses of ‘‘Psyche.” Meetings were held at the Boston Society of Natural History, at J. H. Emerton’s room at 194 Clarendon St., and at the Appalachian Club’s rooms in the Tremont 2The Harris Club (which has no relation to the Harris Entomological Club of 1866) was organized November 24, 1899 at 35 Court St., Boston in the office of H. H. Newcomb. W. L. W. Field was elected secretary and continued in office until the union with the Cambridge Entomological Club in 1903. The records of the Club are deposited in the library of the Boston Society of Natural History. 6 Psyche [F ebruary Building, and in emergencies at H. H. Newcomb’s office, 35 Court Street, with attendance of 12 to 13. December 6, 1904 a meeting was held at Wm. Denton’s in Wellesley to see his butterflies, with attendance of 12 members and 5 guests. In 1904 to 1908 exhibitions of insects, open to the public, were held at the rooms of the Appalachian Club. The exhibition of November, 1908, included the following: H. H. Newcomb, Papilia turnus and glaucus with intermediate forms. A. P. Morse, Grasshoppers, showing methods of egg-laying. W. L. W. Field, North American Sphingidse. F. B. Low, Gipsy moth, Browntail, etc. W. M. Wheeler, 85 species of Ants of New England. J. H. Emerton, Collection of 200 New England Spiders. Emerton & Swett, Collection of Lepidoptera. January 19, 1909, the amended by-laws, which had been in preparation for a long time, were adopted. March, 1909, the last of the books from the Club’s library were sold, and the old record books deposited with the Boston Society of Natural History. December, 1909, the Club entertained the entomologists attending the meeting of the American Association for the Ad- vancement of Science at a smoker at the Grundmann Studios, Clarendon Street. At the annual meeting, January, 1910, the retiring president, P. G. Bolster, read a paper on the history of the Club. C. T. Brues was elected a member of the Club October 19, 1909, and editor of ^Tsyche” at the annual meeting, January, 1910. At the same meeting W. M. Wheeler was elected president, and at the meeting of February, 1910, the Club voted to hold its meetings at the Bussey Institution. This brings us to another period in the Club’s life familiar enough to the present members, and so my story ends. 7 1924] The Biology of Trichopoda pennipes Fah. THE BIOLOGY OF TRICHOPODA PENNIPES FAB. (DIPTERA, TACHINIDiE), A PARASITE OF THE COMMON SQUASH BUG.* By Harlan N. Worthley. Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station, Amherst, Mass. PART I. INTRODUCTION. The common squash bug, Anasa tristis de Geer, is an ever- present and often troublesome pest in Massachusetts, and has been a subject for investigation at the Massachusetts Agri- cultural Experiment Station for the past three years. While studying the life history and habits of this pest, the writer dis- covered abundant evidence of the presence and activity of the parasite Trichopoda pennipes. A review of the literature showed that comparatively little is known of the life history and habits of this beneficial fly. Much to the surprise of the writer, in view of his own observations, it was found that some authors have even intimated that little good is derived by mankind from the work of this supposedly beneficial species. Failure of the written records to substantiate observations of the writer furnished the initial stimulus to a study of the habits of the fly, the object of this study being to discover the exact relationship existing between parasite and host. A portion of the following account is the result of these studies. During the course of the work it was found necessary to confine adults of both sexes in the same cage to induce mating. Some difficulty was experienced at first in determining the sex *Thesis submitted for the degree of Master of Science at the Massachu- setts Agricultural College, and published with the consent of the Director of the Graduate School. The writer takes this opportunity to express his thanks to Dr. H. T. Fernald, whose kindly interest has made the present study possible, and who has criticized, to their benefit, the drawings accom- panying the paper; to Dr. G. C. Crampton, under whose supervision the morphological study has been carried on, for aid in matters of technic and the interpretation of parts; and to Dr. C. P. Alexander for assistance with the literature of dipterology. 8 Psyche [February of living flies, without undue handling, and this led to a study of the external anatomy of the species, the primary aim being the • discovery of secondary sexual characters that might be readily recognized. The scope of this investigation has gradually increased, and in this paper takes the form of an exposition of the external morphological characters of the species. These characters are here designated according to the most widely accepted view of leading workers in insect morphology, and thereby do violence to the terminology in common use among taxonomic workers. This is perhaps unfortunate, but it is unavoidable, if morpho- logical accuracy is to be maintained. SYNONYMY. The species was first described by Fabricius (1794)^ as Musca pennipes. from material secured from the ‘‘Carolinas.’’ His subsequently described Thereva hirtipes (1805, p. 219.9), Thereva pennipes (1805, p. 219.8), and Ocypiera ciliata (1805, p. 315.9) have proved to be synonyms. His Dictya pennipes (1805, p. 327.5) is a change of genus from Musca. Other synonyms are Phasia jugatoria Say (1829), and Trichopoda flavicornis and T. haitensis of Robineau-Desvoidy (1830). The genus Trichopoda was erected by Latreille (1829), and both Wiedemann (1830) and Robineau-Desvoidy (1830) soon placed the Musca pe^inipes of Fabricius in this genus. The T. pyrr- hogaster and T. ciliata of Wiedemann (1830) have since fallen as synonyms, Brauer and Bergenstamm (1891) showing that these were but females of the species. The complete synonymy, so far as can be determined by the writer, is included in the biblio- graphy at the end of this paper. GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION The genus Trichopoda belongs to the New World fauna. T. pennipes has a wide distribution in both North and South America and among the adjacent islands, according to Townsend ^Dates in parenthesis refer to the bibliography. 1924] The Biology of Trichopoda pennipes Nah. 9 (1893), who records it from Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, San Domingo and Jamaica, and in the United States from New England to Florida, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to Texas, and in California. He speaks of it also from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. It is essentially a lowland form, being most abundant within its range at elevations of five hundred feet or less. Aldrich (1915) states that the species ‘‘appears to occur from Argentina north to about the latitute of Kansas, and further north to the eastward, but not in the north- west.’^ Records of its capture in St. Vincent, Porto Rico, and other islands of the West Indies are given in Aldrich’s Catalogue (1905). Wilson (1923) adds St. Croix, of the Virgin Islands group, to this list. HOSTS. The first record of the life history of Trichopoda pennipes appears to be a note by Packard (1875) of a Tachina fly parasitic upon the squash bug {Anasa tristis de Geer, Hemiptera, Coreidse.) While the species is not mentioned, the description points quite conslusively to T. pennipes. A. J. Cook (1889) records the insect by name and gives an account of its habit of parasitizing the squash bug. Later authors recording it as a parasite of the squash bug were Coquillett (1897), Chittenden (1899), and Weed and Conradi (1902). For a number of years no other host was known, but Morrill (1910) recorded a rearing of T. pennipes from the Northern Leaf -footed Plant Bug {Leptoglossus oppositus, Hemiptera, Coreidse). Jones (1918) records it as an enemy of the Southern Green Plant Bug or Pumpkin Bug {Nezara viridula, Hemiptera, Pentatomidse), and Watson (1918) also records this host in Florida, Drake (1920) also reared this parasitic fly in Florida from the Green Soldier Bug {Acrosternum hilaris, Hemiptera, Pentomidse), the Green Stink-bug {Acrosternum pennsylvanicum) and a large Coreid, Archimerus calcar ator. He also noted eggs on Acanthocephala femorata and A. declivis. Wilson (1923), in collecting Nezara viridula on the Island of St. Croix, found 93 per cent of the specimens parasitized by T. pennipes. 10 Psyche [February Mr. H. J. Reinhard, entomologist of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and a specialist in Tachinidse, says in cor- respondence with the writer that in Texas T. pennipes is para- sitic upon Nezara viridiila and Leptoglossus phyllopus. He adds, ‘T have observed adults depositing eggs on the adult Harlequin Bug {Murgantia histrionica, Hemiptera, Pentatomidse) but have never been able to obtain any emergence of the parasite.” In Massachusetts this beneficial insect is important as an enemy of the squash bug, and in the following pages it is treated in its relation to this host. Methods employed. The following account of the life history and habits of Trichopoda pennipes has been taken from field and laboratory records compiled b}^ the writer during an investigation of the squash bug. Collections of the bugs in the field furnished parasitized material for breeding purposes and also indicated the percentage of infestation. In the laboratory the parasitized bugs were kept in breeding cages containing small potted squash plants. The cages used were devised at this Station, and are so built as to afford a maximum of light. A vertically-sliding pane of glass comprises the door, and, this, together with a hinged glass top, allows all corners of the cage to be readily observed from the outside. The sides and back of the cage may be covered with fine-mesh cloth screening, or with copper wire cloth. During this investigation, the cages rested on pieces of slate covered with an inch of soil, to provide normal conditions for pupation of the parasite. LIFE HISTORY. The Egg. The female fly la}^s its eggs upon the body wall of the host, to which the eggs are firmly attached. The great majority of the eggs are found on the sides of the abdomen and thorax, although they are sometimes seen fastened to the upper surface of the body and the head, and rarely to the antennae and legs. The length of time necessary for the hatching of the egg was found to be in the neighborhood of thirty hours. To prove 1924] Th.e Biology of Trichopoda pennipes Fab. 11 this point eggs were removed from the body of a bug as soon as laid, a moistened camel’s hair brush proving to be excellent for this purpose, and were isolated in vials. After twenty^four hours the mouth-hooks of each young maggot could be seen rasping away at the inner surface of the egg-shell, and in thirty hours the larva was found protruding from the hole it had scraped in the floor of its prison. Eggs removed from the body surfaces of bugs thirty hours after oviposition were found to be empty, a hole in the bottom of each, and a corresponding hole in the chitin of the host, testifying to the penetration of the parasite. The Larva. As stated above, the larva, upon hatching, penetrates the bottom of the egg-shell and burrows directly through the body-wall of the host, regardless of the thickness of chitin at that particular point. Sufficient dissections of parasitized squash bugs have not been made to enable the writer to state accurately the habits of the parasite within its host, or the number of larval instars.. Individuals of three different instars have been observed, and it is probable that there are four in all, as has been stated by Townsend (1908, p. 98) for certain other Tachinid parasites. Dissections seem to show that the larvae while young live in the general body-cavity, no derangement of organs being apparent in these dissections. As the larvae approach maturity, however, they gradually consume the fat body and those organs contained in the abdomen of the host, which was seen to be practically hollow in some adult squash bugs from which parasites had just emerged. Upon the completion of growth, which requires approximate- I3' sixteen days, the larva forces its way out at the posterior end of the body of the host, which is still alive, and drops to the ground. This is not the case with the second generation larvae, which appear to remain within the body of the host throughout the winter, completing their growth when the latter become active in the spring. The host dies within a day or two of the emergence of the parasite. Emergence through the side of the body, as recorded by Weed and Conradi (1902), has not been observed. 12 Psyche [February The Puparium. Within a few hours of the time the mature larva quits the host, it burrows into the soil to a depth of one to two inches, and there pupates within the last larval skin, which forms the puparium. The pupa, then, falls in the first class as defined by Thompson (1910, p. 284), and probably has a rapid early development. Dissections of the puparia have not been made, and thus the appearance of the pupa and its rate of de- velopment are unknown. The pupal period of the spring genera- tion is approximately a month in length, while that of the summer generation lasts from thirteen to nineteen days. The Adult. The flies are able to take wing within a few seconds following emergence, and have been observed to mate within twenty-four hours. The length of time which then ensues before oviposition commences is not known, nor has the average number of eggs laid per female been determined. One fly laid thirty-nine eggs in twenty-four hours, and another, when captured in the field, contained over one hundred eggs. In the cages, honey-water on sponges failed to attract the flies. They were captured in the field from the flowers of Wild Carrot {Daucus carota) and Meadow Sweet {Spircea salicifolia) and would feed from these flowers in the cages. The writer did not learn of Townsend’s (1908, p. 110) method of feeding, using dry sugar and sponges moistened with water, until too late to use it in the breeding work. The behavior of caged females toward the bugs confined with them was interesting to observe. The urge to lay eggs did not appear to be constant. At times the flies would walk about among the bugs, with apparent friendliness, and would even crawl over them without making a menacing movement. At other times a fly would dart at a bug and alight upon its back, and the writer would focus his attention in the expectation that an egg would be laid. The fly would turn this way and that upon the unresponsive host, as if trying to decide where to place the egg, but after a few seconds would walk off, as if having changed its mind, leaving no egg behind. When oviposition actually took place, the act was accomplished with great rap- idity, the fly seeming scarcely to come to rest upon its host. That no such speed was necessary could be seen in the lack of 1924] The Biology of Trichopoda pennipes Fah! 13 interest displayed by the victim, which neither resisted the attack of the fly nor tried to dislodge the egg. Relation Between Paeasite and Host. Various observers have noted the parasitic habit of Tricho- poda pennipes and have speculated upon the amount of benefit derived from its activities. Thus Dr. A. S. Packard (1875) says, ‘^The larvae are very large, one specimen only occurring in the body of the Coreus, which seems apparently healthy, and performs its sexual functions in spite of the presence of so large a parasite.” Chittenden (1899) observes that ‘‘Although these flies appeared soon after the advent of the bugs and in considerable abundance, they seemed to accomplish little in the direction of reducing the numbers of their host. — The parasitized individuals were not noticed to die much earlier than those which succumbed to natural causes.” Weed and Conradi (1902) /^f)Y JUfiE JUL Y fiUC-UiJ sepeembep OCTOBER hTS — '• •• 1 1 ei^ncktifiQ adJt b-''^ ■ — ■■ 1 1 1 [ — ' — = odvit bugs 1 1 1 1 1 n^mpbs — Seasonal HiSfoty of 1 1 ’Vcnye aduJt bi/qs Bnasa tnstis ^ ^ 1 1 1 — = ting adult bugs 1 ~r ■= larx'ite ify odi,lt bi/gs pupoe /f) sei/ Qdv/f /art'oe odu/t Seatano! of j /D*//oae in soU Tr/chopoda pe^mpes q /<■ ///£»5 /ofyae /ostaf n<)mpf)S ratfu/t bugs Fig. 1. Relation of Trichopoda pennipes to its host, Anasa tristis, Amherst, Massa- chusetts, 1922. Worthley (1923). also mention the continued egg-laying of parasitized squash bugs. Drake (1920) in his notes on T. pennipes as a parasite of the Southern Green Stink-bug mentions percentages of parasitism ranging from 31 to 80 per cent. 14 Psyche [February About Amherst, Massachusetts, Trichopoda pennipes ap- pears to have two full generations each year (Worthley, 1923). A single adult captured in October may indicate a partial third generation, but it is thought more probable that this was a laggard individual of the second generation. The emergence and pupation of second generation larvae in the fall was not observed in the cages, and it therefore appears that the parasite passes the winter as a larva within the body of the hibernating host. Development of these larvae is completed in the spring, emergence from the host and pupation occurring during June and July. This emergence is shortly followed by the death of the host, which, in all cases so far observed, has not been able to commence egg-laying. Pupae developing from these overwintered larvae begin to yield flies in late June. At this time only adult squash bugs are available, and upon these the flies deposit their eggs. These bugs are individuals which escaped parasitism the previous fall, and have lived to mate and lay eggs. Many of them are actively engaged in oviposition when attacked by the parasite, and these - can often complete their egg-laying before the activities of the maggots become fatal. One female squash bug laid a cluster of viable eggs just six days previous to her death from parasitism, showing that the metabolism of the host is not seriously un- balanced until late in the development of the parasite. It is this apparent slight effect of parasitism on the egg-laying bugs which has caused investigators to question the efficiency of the paras- tism of T. pennipes. While parasitized egg-laying squash bugs may be permitted to complete a practically normal existence, as has been shown above, the parasite itself may not be so well favored. Thus adult bugs begin to disappear from the fields about the middle of July, having completed the normal span of life. Parasite flies are actively laying eggs at this time, and often deposit them upon bugs which are destined to die before the parasitic larvse have attained full growth. In such cases the parasite cannot complete its development, and perishes with its host. Larvse which have been more fortunately situated mature and pass on to the pupa stage during the latter part of July and 1924] . The Biology of Trichopoda pennipes Fob. 15 early August. When these pupae yield adult flies during August and the first part of September, many young squash bugs have become adult, and more have reached the fourth and fifth instars. Upon these bugs the parasite lays its eggs, and it is in this generation that the work of the fly is seen to be effective beyond question, since no parasitized bug appears to live to sexual maturity. Many nymphs (counts have shown about 50 per cent) die before becoming adult, and those which reach the adult state and pass the winter safely in hibernation, are subsequently killed by the parasite before laying eggs. No parasites appear to reach maturity in nymphs which die. In this regard the egg-laying flies seem unable to discriminate closely between nymphs which are sufficiently developed to support the parasite maggots and those which contain too little substance. However, the flies seem to realize that their progeny will find too little nourishment in nymphs younger than the fourth instar, since third instar nymphs were rarely molested in the cages, and parasitized third instar nymphs were not col- lected in the field. It was interesting to note that occasionally a nymph would escape parasitism by molting, leaving an unhatched parasite egg on the molted skin. This does not account for any great loss, however, since the egg of the parasite hatches in thirty hours, while the fourth and fifth instars of the squash bug re- quire about six days and sixteen days respectively for their completion. But one parasite has ever been observed to issue from one host. Several maggots have been observed to enter one host, but this has always seemed to result in the early death of the host and of the parasites within. Collections of squash bugs in the fall give no indication of the true percentage of parasitism, since many nymphs die, and others slough off the empty egg-shells of the parasite with their molted nymphal skins. In midsummer, however, collections of overwintered adult bugs have indicated a parasitism as high as 80 per cent. There is no reason to suppose that the percentage of parasitism may not often run as high among the older nymphs 16 Psyche [February and new adult squash bugs in the fall. Thus it would seem that the activities of Trichopoda pennipes furnish an exceedingly im- portant natural check upon the increase of Anasa tristis. Summary Trichopoda pennipes is a parasitic fly belonging to the family Tachinidse. The species enjoys a wide distribution in the lowlands of North and South America and the adjacent islands, and has been recorded as attacking several species of insects belonging to the hemipterous families Coreidse and Pentatomidse. Among these hosts is the common squash bug, which in Massachusetts is the principal host, and possibly the only one attacked by the fly. The investigations recorded in this paper indicate that in Massachusetts this parasite passes through two full generations annually. Adults of the first generation deposit their eggs on egg-laying adult squash bugs, during July. Those of the second generation attack the older nymphs and new adult bugs in August and September. Collections of squash bugs have in- dicated a parasitism of eighty per cent. Squash bugs which are parasitized in the fall apparently do not live to sexual maturity, and thus an important natural check is placed upon the increase of the squash bug. 1924] Notes on Muscina pascuorum Meigen During 1923 17 NOTES ON MUSCINA PASCUORUM MEIGEN DURING 1923. By Charles W. Johnson. Boston Society of Natural History. The sudden occurrence, and in great numbers, of Mucina pascuorum in North America in 1922, was recorded by the writer in Psyche, Vol. 30, p. 1-5, Feb., 1923. Early in 1923 very few specimens were seen. Mr. A. P. Morse took a specimen Jan. 18 at Wellesley, Mass. The most interesting recorded is that from Bridgeton, N. J., where Mr. F. M. Schott captured a specimen under bark, Feb. 11. This, so far, is the most southern record for the species. Specimens were also taken under bark, at Annandale, N. J. March 7, by parties scouting for Gypsy Moth eggs. The locality is about 20 miles west of Bound Brook, where it was previously recorded. A specimen was taken in a window at Brookline, Mass., March 3. Having stated to Mr. F. W. Walker that it would be in- teresting to see how the fly had stood the winter, Mr. Walker visited the locality where they were so abundant, and in a letter says: — “I am sending a box of flies taken April 10, 1923, at Asbury Grove, Hamilton, Mass., on the same skylight that I collected from Nov. 9, 1922. A few scattering ones were taken on other windows.’’ The box contained 125 M. pascuorum, 93 Pollenia rudis, 7 Phormia regina and 6 Muscina assimilis. None were observed during the late spring and summer, but early in September, Mr. L. W. Swett, brought me a number of flies that had accumulated in the globe of an arc light at the Glen House, at the foot of Mt. Washington, N. H. Among these was one M. pascuorum the most northern record for New England. A few specimens were received from Attleboro, Mass., Oct. 14 and Worcester, Nov. 2. Two were collected on windows at Brookline, Oct. 28 and Nov. 4 and one on a window in Boston Dec. 3. Mr. Walker informs me that appararently the fly was not seen at Asbury Grove this fall. 18 Psyche [February The scarcity of this fly during 1923 in comparison with its abundance in 1922 is undoubtedly due to the very dry weather during the late summer and fall. Owing to the drouth there was comparatively little fungi. As this species is said, by European authors, to frequent Amanita citrina, the paucity of fungi during the late summer and early autumn would, also, probably account for the scarcity of the fly. It seems an interesting problem; — if the hibernating females lay eggs in the spring and the larvae live on fungi, on what does the female lay her eggs, when there are practically no fungi in the early spring? I hope, during the coming season if possible, to make some experiments relative to the breeding habits of this fly and infor- mation regarding its further distribution will be greatly ap- preciated. 1924] Notes on Cuban Ants 19 NOTES ON CUBAN ANTS. Wm. M. Mann. Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Department of Agriculture. In a small collection of ants from Cuba sent by Mr. S. C. Bruner, of the experimental station at Santiago de las Vegas, and collected by him and Mr. H. Ballou, are two undescribed species of the genus Macromischa. This increases the number of known Cuban species to sixteen, and I think it probable that future collectors will find still more of these interesting ants, the species of which appear to be very local in distribution and difficult to find. In addition to the descriptions of these I have listed for distributional data several other species of interest. Macromischa (Macromischa) bruneri, new species. Worker. Length 2.75 mm. Head a little longer than broad, as broad in front as behind, with slightly convex sides, broadly rounded corners and nearly straight occipital border. Clypeus convex, obtusely carinate at middle, straight at anterior border. Antennal scapes nearly attaining occipital corners; funicular joints 3-8 transverse, club rather strong. Thorax rather robust, without sutures above; sides of prothorax evenly rounded. Epinotal spines nearly approximate at base, not very acuminate, about as long as the epinotal declivity. Petiolar peduncle slender, about as long as the node, which is longer than high, rounded above, and seen from above twice as long as broad. Postpetiole twice as broad as petiole, as long as broad and only slightly broader behind than in front. Femora slender basally, swollen at middle and narrowed apically, with the flexor border rather strongly con- cave . Tibi 80 strongly incrassate . Moderately shining. Mandibles sparsely striate and with several coarse punctures. Head, thorax and epinotum densely punctate and subreticulately striate, the latter strongest on 20 Psyche [February pronotum; petiolar pedicel subtly punctate, nodes of petiole and postpetiole smooth above, obliquely striate at sides. Gaster and appendages finely punctate. Pilosity pale yellow, fine and erect, rather sparse on head, body and appendages. Brownish red, the gaster darker and the legs lighter than the rest. Sierra Maestra, July, 1902, Alt. 4500-5000 ft. Type. Cat. No. 26497 U. S. N. M. Described from four workers. M. bruneri is most closely related to M. affinis Mann, and like it, superficially resembles a Tetramorium. It differs from affinis in its smaller size, the much shorter epinotal spines (in affinis these are fully as long as the petiolar pedicel), in the petiolar node rising less abruptly from the pedicel and in sculp- ture and coloration. Macromischa (Macromischa) violacea^ new species. Worker. Length 4.5 mm. Head, excluding mandibles, one-sixth longer than broad, sides very slightly convex, posterior corners broadly rounded, border nearly straight. Mandibles with five rather strong teeth. Clypeus nearly flat, its anterior border straight at middle. Eyes large and convex, situated at middle of sides of head. Antennal scapes not quite attaining occipital corners; funicular joints 2-8 scarcely broader than long; club shorter than remainder of funiculus. Thorax and epinotum very robust, as broad in front as behind and only feebly and narrowly constricted at sides be- tween pro- and meso thorax; no sutures discernible. Epinotal spines moderately thick, slightly curved, shorter than their dis- tance apart at base. Peduncle of petiole nearly twice as long as the node, which rises from it abruptly and, in profile, is higher than long, with nearly straight anterior and posterior surfaces and slightly convex dorsum, and from above transversely suboval. Postpetiole campanulate and broader than long. Femora and tibiae rather strongly incrassate. 1924] Notes on Cuban Ants 21 Shining throughout. Mandibles coarsely striate. Head and thorax with fine, widely separated longitudinal wavy carinulse, discernible above only in certain lights, stronger on pleurse; head, body and appendages rather finely punctate and with erect, whitish hairs that are longer and stiffer on the legs. Color black, head and thorax with strong violaceous re- flections. Sierra Maestra, July, 1922. Alt. 600-900 m. Cotypes. Cat. No. 26498 U. S. N. M. Described from two workers. This is a very distinct species, resembling M. scahripes Mann somewhat in form and in having the femora minutely tuber- culate, but differing strongly in sculpture and color and in its larger size and stouter thorax. The violaceous reflection of the tegument is unusually strong, even for a Macromischa. Macromischa (Macromischa) affinis Mann Sierra Maestra, July, 1923. Alt. 3000-3500 ft. A single worker in the collection is considerably darker than those in the type series, with the head and thorax dark, reddish brown and only the bases of the femora pale, otherwise agreeing exactly. Macromischa (Croesomyrmex) wheeleri Mann Vinales, April Three workers. Macromischa (Croesomyrmex) poeyi Wheeler Worker. Length 5.5 mm. (Fig. 1.) Head longer than broad, strongly narrowed from behind eyes to occipital border which has an elevated margin. Clypeus convex, carinate at middle, shallowly concave at middle of anterior border. Antennae very slender, their scapes surpassing occipital corners by one-third of their length; first funicular 22 Psyche [February joint shorter than the second and third together, second joint about two and one-half times as long as broad, remaining joints gradually increasing in length toward apex, club long and slender. Prothorax with a transverse, subquadrate ‘^neck”; sides of mesothorax angulately expanded behind the middle. Epinotum unarmed, its base three times as long as broad and nearly four times as long as the declivity; in profile shallowly concave. Petiole very long and slender, its node low and rounded above and a little more than half as long as pedicel; from above, the node is scarcely thicker than the pedicel, about four times as long as broad and with straight sides. Postpetiole elongate, campanulate. Legs long and very slender, except the apical three-eighths of femora which are very strongly swollen. Thorax and epinotum shining, with moderately strong and irregular rugse which are transverse on dorsum, subconcentric on mesonotal and longitudinal on epinotal pleurse; head, petiole, gaster and appendages more shining, and finely punctate. Stiff, blunt, erect, brownish hairs, abundant on head and body; finer and pointed on legs; erect hairs lacking on antennae which bear fine and shorter semirecumbent hairs. Thorax, epinotum and basal portion of femora reddish brown, the remainder black. Vinales, April. 1924] Notes on Cuban Ants 23 Described from one worker. The species was described from a specimen in the Gundlach collection in Havana under a sealed glass and Wheeler’s description differs only in the shape of the postpetiole, described as broad as long, and in the sculp- ture of the thorax, described as finely and densely punctate, points which probably could not be made out with a hand lens at some distance from the specimen. In addition to the unusual structure of the femora, the elongate head, narrowed behind, resembling that of some of the Aphsenogasters, is distinctive. Myrmelachista rogeri Ern. Andre Sierra Maestra, Alt. 3000-3500 ft. July. Prenolepis gibberosa Roger. Sierra Maestra, July. Alt. 2900-3500 ft. This is evidently widely distributed in the higher, wooded portions of Cuba. Gamponotus (Myrmeurynota) gilviventris Roger. Nagua, Oriente, July. Golobopsis (Manniella) sphaericus Roger var. sphaeralis Roger. Sierra Maestra, Alt. 3000-3500 ft. July. 24 Psyche [February NOTES UPON SURCOUF’S TREATMENT OF THE TABANIDA^J IN THE GENERA INSECTORUM AND UPON ENDERLEIN’S PROPOSED NEW CLASSIFICATION OF THIS FAMILY.^ By J. Bequaert. The Tabanidse are a family of Diptera of considerable economic importance. They are universal in their distribution and extremely numerous in species, over 2,100 forms having been described thus far. The great majority of these bite and suck the blood of vertebrates and thus become at times very troublesome to man and his domestic animals, in addition to being actual or potential carriers of infectious diseases. Sur- couPs review of the family in Wytsman’s ^‘Genera Insectorum’^ (Brussels, 1921, 205 pp., 5 Pis.) must therefore be greeted with satisfaction. Only those who have attempted work along similar lines can fully appreciate the amount of painstaking drudgery and first-hand knowledge involved to make such compilations of real value. Considered as a whole, Surcouf^s revision is as satisfactory as it could have been made within a reasonable limit of time and it is far from my intention to present herewith unfavorable criticism. My remarks are merely prompted by the ever increasing interest these flies are assuming for medical and veterinary entomology, so that SurcouPs work is likely to be perused as a source of information by many students with little or no entomological training. It seems therefore necessary to call attention to certain omissions and errors which might easily lead astray the non-specialist. In the introductory part Surcouf deals with the external morphology and adds certain details of internal anatomy: his researches upon the structure of the ocelli and the genitalia are presented as original work. An account of the habits of the adults, oviposition, larval and pupal stages, and enemies follows. This is supplemented by some original observations in an ap- pendix (pp. 186-194) and also by notes under the several genera. ^Contribution from the Department of Tropical Medicine of Harvard University Medical School. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment af the Tahanidce 25 Nevertheless the treatment of the bionomics is very inadequate and hardly does justice to our present knowledge. Thus it is stated that ‘The habits of Goniops are unknown” (p. 105), al- though the life-history of that genus has been worked out by W. R. Walton (Ent. News, XIX, 1908, pp, 464-465, PL XXII) and W. L. McAtee (Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington, XIII, 1911, pp. 21-29, Pis. I-III). Incidentally it may be mentioned that Surcoufs supposition that Goniops lives as an external parasite “after the fashion of Hippohosca^’ is a mere surmise not backed by any observation and highly improbable. To return to the bionomics of the family, W. Marchand has fortunately published a recent and very full account of “The Early Stages of Tabanidse” (Monogr. of the Rockefeller Institute, New York, No. 13, 1920, 204 pp., 15 Pis.), in which the student will find all needed infor- mation. In his discussion of the parasitary specificity of tabanids (pp. 189-190), Surcouf mentions that, while most of the blood- sucking species attack mammals, Tabanus crocodilinus Austen and other African forms bite crocodiles and that he has himself taken a Tabanus in the Sahara on Varanus griseus. Still more remarkable, however, is the behavior of Tabanus albipectus Bigot, which, according to Fryer’s observations in the Seychelles (Austen, Bull. Ent. Research, XI, 1920, p. 45), attacks sea- turtles, biting them between the plates of the neck. It would be fastidious to list the errors of dates and pages which I have noticed in the bibliography, but the student should be warned against trusting the references indiscriminately. REMARKS UPON THE GENERA Surcouf is extremely conservative in his taxonomic treat- ment, since, with few exceptions, he accepts only genera that have been in use for a long time among students of the group. He retains the division into two subfamilies, Tabaninse and Pangoniinae, proposed more than fifty years ago by H. Loew (Die Dipteren-Faima Siidafrika’s, I, 1860, pp. 14 and 31). Thaumastocera Griinberg he places at the end of the family as a genus of doubtful affinities, but, on account of the absence of tibial spurs, it certainly comes in the Tabaninse, a group which. 26 Psyche [February moreover, contains several other forms with well-developed ocelli. Siircouf admits 43 genera, of which Baikalia (p. 39; monotypic for B. vaillanti Surcouf), Guyona (p. 141; monotypic for Pangonia mesembrinoides Surcouf, 1908),i Brodenia (p. 160; monotypic for B. cinerea Surcouf), and Lesneus (p. 161; mono- typic for L. canescens Surcouf) are proposed for the first time. Unfortunately two of these new generic names are preoccupied: Baikalia Surcouf (not Baicalia v. Martens, 1876) I propose to replace by Surcoufiella, new name, and Brodenia Surcouf (not Brodenia Gedoelst, 1913) by BroMnsiomyia, new name. The only species of the last-named genus, Braunsiomyia cinerea (Surcouf) was discovered on the sandy beach at Port Elizabeth (Algoa Bay), Cape Colony, by that enthusiastic South African entomologist Dr. H. Brauns. Walker’s subdivisions of Pangonius and most of Ad. Lutz’ generic creations among South American tabanids are not ac- cepted by Surcouf and many of those proposed by Ad. Lutz are not even enumerated. There are, however, a number of other generic names published previous to 1920, which have been over- looked by Surcouf and in some other cases the names he uses are obsolete or wrongly spelled. Hexatoma Meigen, 1820 (p. 26). This name is preoccupied by Hexatoma Latreille, 1809, and should be replaced by Heptatoma Meigen, 1803, which, moreover, has many years priority. Chrysozona Meigen, 1800 (p. 28). I cannot agree with those who claim that this name should replace Hcematopota Meigen, 1803. I have recently examined an original copy, now at the Library of the American Museum of Natural History, of Meigen’s pamphlet ‘^Nouvelle Classification des Insectes Dipteres” (Paris, 1800) and find that this work merely gives short generic des- criptions without mentioning any species, so that these so-called genera having no genotypes should be regarded as nomina nuda, and therefore without nomenclatorial standing. Lepidoselaga Osten Sacken, 1876 (p. 43). There is no suf- ficient reason why this amended form should be preferred to the original Lepiselaga Macquart, 1838. ^Guyona does not appear to be generically distinct from Orgizomyia, as will be shown in a subsequent paper. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment of the Tahanidoe 27 Dorcalcemus Austen, 1910 (p. 112). This name was originally spelled Dorcalcemus. Ccenoprosopon Ricardo, 1915 (p. 132). The original spelling of this name is Ccenoprosopon. Diclisa (p. 112) as characterized by Surcouf is not Diclisa Schiner, 1867, which has as genotype Pangonia incompleta Macquart and is evidently a synonym of Scione Walker, 1850. Surcouf’ s genus Diclisa appears to correspond to Enderlein’s (1922) Rhinotriclista and Triclista. Cadicera Macquart, 1855 (p. 106). As shown by Austen (Bull. Ent. Research, XI, 2, 1920, p. 140), this name should be replaced by the earlier Phara Walker, 1850. Diatomineura Rondani, 1863 (p. 129). Brethes (Bull. Soc. Ent. France, 1914, p. 59) and Austen (Bull. Ent. Research, XI, 2, 1920, p. 139) have shown that this is a synonym of the earlier Osca Walker (Insecta Saundersiana, Dipt., I, 1850, p. 10). Orgyzomyia Griinberg, 1906 (p. 139). The correct spelling is Orgizomyia. Pelecorrhynchus Macquart, 1850 (p. 110). This name was originally spelled Pelecorhynchus. The following generic names are not listed by Surcouf; Acanthocerella Brethes, An. Mus. Nac. Buenos Aires, XX, 1910, p. 475. Monotypic for A. holiviensis Brethes, 1910. South America. Amphichlorops Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 166. Type: T ahanus flavus Wiedemsirm, 1S28. South America. Anacampta Schiner, Verb. Zool. Bot. Ges. Wien, XVII, 1867, p. 305. Without description or species. Evidently an error for Apocampta Schiner. Catachlorops Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 166. Type: Dichelacera fuscipennis Macquart, 1847. South America. Chelotabanus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 19 14, p. 166. Type: Tabanus fuscus Wiedemann, 1819. South America. Chlorotahanus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 167. Type: Tabanus mexicanus Linnaeus, 1767. North and South America. 28 Psyche [February Ccenura Bigot, Ann. Soc. Ent. France, (3) V, 1857, p. 286. Monotypic for C. longicauda Bigot, 1857. Chile. A number of species have been described, all of which have been omitted by Surcouf. Cryptotylus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 166. No species mentioned. South America. Cydistomyia Taylor, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, XLIV, 1919. p. 47. Monotypic for C. doddi Taylor, 1919. Queensland. Dicladocera Ad. Lutz, Comm. Linhas Telegr. Estr. de Matto Grosso ao Amazonas, Ann. No. 8, ZooL, Taban., 1912, p. 4. Monotypic for Dicladocera unicolor Ad. Lutz, 1912. Dyspangonia Ad. Lutz, Revista Soc. Scientif. Sao Paulo, I, 1, 1905, p. 27. Type: Pangonia fuscipennis Wiedemann, 1828. This is a synonym of Esenheckia Rondani. Erephosis Bigot, Mem. Soc. Zool. France, IV, 1891, p. 414. Misspelling of Erephopsis. Esenbackia Surcouf, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, XV, 1909, p. 257. Misspelling of Esenheckia. Gonisops Kertesz, Catal. Tabanid., 1900, p. 25. Evidently a misspelling of Goniops. Holococeria Ricardo, Arch. f. Naturgesch., LXXX, Abt. A, Heft 8, (1914) 1915, p. 128. A misspelling of Holcoceria. Laphriopsis Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, III, 1911, p. 71. An evident error for Laphriomyia. Leptotabanus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 72. The name is used in an enumeration of species for Leptotabanus nigrovenosus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, but I was unable to find a description of either genus or species. Leucotabanus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 167. Type: Tabanus leucaspis Wiedemann, 1828. South America. Macrocormus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 167. Type: Tabanus sorbillans Wiedemann, 1828. South America. Melanotabanus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 76. Monotypic for M. fuliginosus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, 1914. South America. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment of the Tahanidoe 29 Metoponaplos Ricardo, Arch. f. Naturgesch., LXXX, Abt. A, Heft 8, (1914) 1915, p. 124. Type by original designation: Pangonia parva Walker, 1848. According to Enderlein (Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, X, 2, 1922, p. 342), this is a synonym of Scarphia Walker, 1850, a view with which I fully concur. Merycomyia Hine, Ohio Naturalist, XII, 1912, p. 515. Type by original designation: Tahanus whitneyi Johnson, 1904 (Syn.: Merycomyia geminata Hine, 1912). North America. Neochrysops Walton, Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington, XX, 1918, p. 191. Monotypic for N. globosus Walton, 1918. North America. Neotabanus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 167. Type: Tahanus trilineatus LMreiWe, 1S14. South America. Ad. Lutz (Ibidem, p. 47) claims that his generic name has priorit}^ over Neotabanus Ricardo, 1911, but I have been unable to discover on what evidence this statement is based. Orthostylus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 74. Monotypic for 0. ambiguus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, 1914. South America. Palimmecomyia Taylor, Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, XLII, 1917, p. 518. Monotypic for P. celcenospila Taylor, 1917. Queensland. Paro,silvius Ferguson, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, N. S., XXXIII, 1921, p. 8. Monotypic for P. fulvus Ferguson, 1921. Australia. Phceomyia Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, III, 1911, p. 83. Evidently a misspelling for Phceoneura. Phceotabanus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 168. Type: Tabanus litigiosus Walker, 1850. South America. Phibalomyia Taylor, Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, N. S., XXXII, 2, 1920, p. 165. New name for Elaphromyia Taylor (Proc. Linn. Soc. New South Wales, XLI, 1917, p. 749), not of Bigot, 1859. Monotypic for Elaphromyia carteri Taylor, 1917. Queensland. Philorites Cockerell. Entomologist, XLI, 1908, p. 264. Monotypic for P. johannseni Cockerell, 1908. Fossil in the Eocene of Colorado. 30 Psyche [February Rhabdotylus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 166. Type: Tahanus vlcmiventris Wiedemann, 1828. South America. Poecilosoma Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 167. Type: Tahanus quadripunctatus Pohricius, 1805. South America. Rhigioglossa Wiedemann, Aussereurop. Zweifl. Ins., I, 1828, p. 105. Used in the combination ^^Rhigioglossa testacea’^ as a synonym of Rhinomyza edentula Wiedemann, which thus will be its genotype. The name takes precedence over Erodior- hynchus Macquart, 1838, based upon the same species. Rhynomyza Surcouf, Bull. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, XV, 1909, p. 260. Misspelling of Rhinomyza. Stenotahanus Ad. Lutz, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 167. Type: Tahanus tceniotes Wiedemann, 1828. South America. Stictotahanus Ad. Lutz and A. Neiva, Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, p. 72. The name is used in an enumeration of species for Stictotahanus maculipennis (Macquart). Since this is a described species the generic name has a standing in nomen- clature, even though the genus has apparently not been hitherto defined. In the case of the new generic names proposed by Ad. Lutz in Mem. Inst. Osw. Cruz, VI, 1914, pp. 166-168, the only pub- lished descriptions are contained in a key and are not accom- panied by references to species. In a previous article by Lutz and Neiva, however, which appeared in the same volume (pp. 69-80), these new names have been used in enumerations of species and I have selected genotypes from among them. Cryp- totylus alone has apparently not yet been used in connection with a specific name so that it still is a nomen nudum. Ad. Lutz also closes his article with the statement (p. 168) that it was published before (in 1913) in the Brazilian journal ‘^Brazil Medico.” I have been unable to discover whether his new generic names should therefore be properly dated from 1913, but it would appear that they were not used in connection with specific names previously to 1914. Many of Ad. Lutz’ proposed genera have not been noticed in the Zoological Record. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment of the Tabanidoe 31 The following additional genera of Tabanidse are of more recent date: Heterochrysops Krober, Zool. Jahrb., Abt. f. Syst., XLIII, 1920, p. 55. For a number of Palaearctic species of Chrysops, none of which is designated as type. Chrysops flavipes Meigen, 1804, is herewith selected as such. Neochrysops Szilady, Ann. Hist. Nat. Mus. Hungarici, XIX, 1922, p. 126. Type by original designation: Neochrysops grandis Szilady, 1922, Formosa. The name is preoccupied by Neochrysops Walton, 19 18.^ The genus, however, appears doubtfully distinct from Chrysops and need therefore not be renamed at present. Sitviochrysops Szilady, Ann. Hist. Nat. Mus. Hungarici, XIX, 1922, p. 126. Monotypic for Silviochrysops flavescens Szilady, 1922, Formosa. Surcoufia Krober, Arch. f. Naturgesch., LXXXVIII, Abt. A, Heft 8, 1922, p. 115. Monotypic for Surcoufia paradoxa Krober, 1922, Northwest Africa. Finalh^ in a recent paper which will be considered in detail below, Enderlein has proposed a considerable number of new generic names. These it appears unnecessary to list at present, since their exact status is as yet uncertain. Remarks Upon North American Species. Among the misspellings of names, I mention only those of Chrysops nigrihimho Whitney (not nigrilimbo) and Tabanus super jumentarius Whitney (not suberjumentarius) . Tabanus lugubris Osten Sacken appears to belong properly in the genus Snowiellus, from examination of a specimen obtained at Tampa, Florida, by Mr. E. Bell. Tabanus whitneiji Johnson belongs in the genus Merycomyia. Tabanus mexicanus. The synonymy and distribution given by Surcouf under that name should be revised. As shown by F. Knab (Insecutor Inscitise Menstruus, IV, 1916, pp. 95-100), four species have been commonly confused under mexicanus: ^Neochrysops Bethune-Baker, Trans. Ent. Soc. London, (1922) 1923, p. 279, in Lepidoptera, is similarly preoccupied. 32 Psyche [February (1) Tabanus mexicanus Linnaeus (Syn.: T. olivaceus de Geer and T. punctatus Fabricius). Mexico, Central America, Trinidad. (2) Tabanus inanis Fabricius (Syn. : T. ochroleucus Meigen, T. viridiflavus Walker, and perhaps also T. sulphur eus Palisot de Beauvois). South and Central America. (3) Tabanus flavus Macquart. Southeastern United States: from New Jersey to Florida, Missouri and Louisiana. This name is unfortunately preoccupied by Tabanus flavus Wiede- mann and no substitute appears to be available. (4) Tabanus luteoflavus Bellardi (Syn.: T. mexicanus var. limonus Townsend). Mexico. The following North American species have been omitted: Chrysops calopterus Hine, Ohio Naturalist, VI, 1905, p. 392, 9 . Guatemala. Chrysops hinei Daecke, Ent. News, XVIII, 1907, p. 143, 9 . New Jersey. Chrysops parvulus Daecke, Ent. News, XVIII, 1907, p. 142, 9 . New Jersey. Merycoynyia geminata Hine, Ohio Naturalist, XII, 1912, p. 515, PI. XXV, figs. 2 and 4, 9 cf . This is a synonym of Merycomyia whitneyi (Johnson). Merycomyia mixta Hine, Ohio Naturalist, XII, 1912, p. 516, PL XXV, figs. 1 and 3, 9 . Georgia, North America. Neochrysops globosus Walton, Proc. Ent. Soc. Washington^ XX, 1918, p. 192, fig. I, 9 . Eastern United States (Maryland). Silvius jonesi Cresson, Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Philadelphia, LXXI, 1919,^ p. 175, 9 California. Tabanus subniger Coquillett, Ent. News, XVII, 1906, p. 48, 9 . Illinois. Tabanus atratus var. fulvopilos^is Johnson, Psyche, XXVI, 1919, p. 164, 9 . Florida, New Jersey. A number of additional species of Tabanus have been des- cribed by J. McDunnough in 1921 and 1922 (Canad. Entom., LIII, 1921, pp. 139-144 and LIV, 1922, p. 239), namely: T. atrobasis, T. laniferus, T. metabolus, T. nudus, T. rupestris, and T. trepidus] and this author has also reinstated Tabanus calif- 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment oj the Tabanidoe 33 ornicus Marten and T. hcemaphorus Marten as valid species. More recently Hine (Canad. Entom., LV, 1923, pp. 143-146) has added T. gracilipalpis and T. sexfasciatus. Including these, we obtain a total of 334 species of Tabanidse known at present from America north of Panama. They are divided among the several genera as follows: Apatolestes, 1; Chrysops, 71; Hcematopota, 3; Corizoneura, 4; Diachlorus, 1; Diatomineura, 4; Dichelacera, 6; Rhinotriclista {Diclisa of Sur- couf), 1; Erephopsis, 2; Esenheckia, 1; Goniops, 1; Lepiselaga, 1; Merycomyia, 2; Neochrysops, 1; “Pangonius/’^ 18; Pityocera, 1; Scione, 2; Silvius, 4; Snowiellus, 2; Stibasoma, 2; and Ta- banus, 206. Of these Goniops^ Merycomyia, Neochrysops, and Snowiellus are restricted to the Nearctic region (north of Mexico). It may still be mentioned that Surcouf (p. 130) erroneously quotes Trichophthalma amcena Bigot and Hermoneura landbecki Philippi among the synonyms of Diatomineura latipalpis (Macquart), having evidently followed in this Kertesz (Cat. Dipt., Ill, 1908, p. 170). Both Bigot’s and Philippi’s descrip- tions refer, however, to a nemestrinid which should be known as Eurygastromyia landbecki (Philippi). See Lichtwardt, Deutsch. Ent. Zeitschr., 1910, p. 608. Remarks Upon Ethiopian Species Tabanus corax Loew, Wien. Ent. Monatschr., VII, 1863, p. 10. Surcouf (p. 79) lists this as a doubtful synonym of Ta- banus pluto Walker. Neave (Bull. Ent. Research, V, 1915, p. 308), however, has shown that Loew’s name should be used for Tabanus xanthomelas Austen, of which T. leucaspis v. d. Wulp (not of Wiedemann) is a synonym. Tabanus alboventralis Newstead is recorded twice in the list (p. 59), the first time misspelled ‘‘albiventralisP It is ap- parently a synonym of T. sufis Jsennicke. ^Whether there any true Pangoniiis, in the restricted sense, in North America appears extremely doubtful. The three species which I have ex- amined, viz., tranquilla Osten Sacken, rasa Osten Sacken, and fera Williston present all the characters of Austen’s genus Buplex, to which, I believe, they should be transferred. 34 Psyche [February Tabanus hlanchardi Surcouf and T. gabonensis Macquart are still listed as distinct species, whereas they are now generally regarded as synonyms of T. secedens Walker. Hcematopota maculosifacies Austen is listed twice (p. 34); also erroneously as maculifacies Austen. Pangonius brevis Austen (p. 127) belongs properly in the genus Phara (Cadicera). Pangonius austeni J. Bequaert (p. 127). This name should be deleted from the list. As stated by Austen (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) XI, 1913, pp. 560-562), it was based upon the male of P. infuscus Austen and the female of Diatomineura neavei Austen. I have convinced myself of the correctness of Major Austen’s view after he has kindly compared some of my specimens with the types of these two species, during my recent visit at the British Museum. Pangonius neavei J. Bequaert (p. 128) should also be dropped since it is not Austen’s Diatomineura neavei ^ but was based on both sexes of C orizoneura inornata Austen, as I have recognized after comparison with the types. In my paper on Congo tabanids. Rev. Zool. Afr., II, 1913» p. 222, I have also recorded a male Chrysops fusca and a female C. distinctipennis. As Major Austen has pointed out to me at the British Museum, both specimens belong to Chrysops stig- mdticalis Loew. On the other hand, Diatomineura virgata Austen, Dorcaloemus candid olimhatus Austen, and D. compactus Austen of the same paper were correctly identified. I have noticed the following misspellings of names: Hcema- topota heptogranuna for H. heptagr amnia] H. hirsutitarsis for H. hirsutitarsus] Tabanus nyassce for T. nyasce; and T. wosnami for T. woosnami. The following Ethiopian species have been omitted : Hcematopota furva Austen, Bull. Ent. Research, III, 1912, p. 334, PI. XI, fig. 7, 9 . Uganda and Kenya Colony. Hcematopota pertinens Austen, Ann. Mag. Hat. Hist., (8) I, 1908, p. 423, 9 . Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Northern Nigeria. Hcematopota picta Surcouf, Bull. Museum Paris, XIV, 1908, p. 155, 9 . Abyssinia. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment of the Tabanidoe 35 Hcematopota schoutedeni (Surcouf) = Chrysozona schoute- deni Surcouf, Rev. Zool. Afric., I, 1911, p. 89, 9 . Belgian Congo. Hinea distincta Ricardo, Arch. f. Naturgesch., LXXX, Abt. A, Heft 8, (1914) 1915, p. 126, 9 . Cameroon. Diatomineura neavei Austen, Bull. Ent. Research, I, 1911, p. 279, 9 d'. Katanga. Pangonius leucomelas Wiedemann, Aussereurop. Zweifl. Insekt., I, 1828, p. 90, 9 . Cape of Good Hope. Pangonius oldii Austen, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8) I, 1908, p. 215, 9 d. Nyasaland. Tabanus zoutouensis {Bigot)=Atylotus zoulouensis Bigot, Mem. Soc. Zool. France, V, 1892, p. 647, 9 . Cape Colony. ■ Tabanus ugandoe ^^Ricardo” Surcouf, Bull. Museum Paris, XIII, 1907, p. 41, has apparent^ not been described. Silvius callosus Ricardo, Ann. South African Mus., XVII, 1920, p. 529, 9 d . South Africa. Silvius hirsutus Ricardo, Ann. South African Mus., XVII, 1920, p. 529, 9 d. South Africa. Professor J. S. Hine and I have recently completed a check- list of African Tabanidse. We find that, after various additions and corrections, the total number of species at present described from the Ethiopian region is 422, divided among 23 genera as follows: Adersia, 1; Aegophagamyia, 1; Braunsiomyia (=Brodenia), 1; Buplex, 8; Chrysops, 30; Dorcaloenius, 6 (and 1 variety); Hcematopota (including Austenia, Holcoceria, and P arhcematopota) , 118; Hippocentrum, 5; Hinea, 3; Lesneus, 1; Nuceria (=Corizoneura), 17; Orgizomyia (including Guyana and Thriambeutes) , 4; Osca {=Diatomineura), 2 (and 1 variety); Pangonius, 35 (and 1 variety); Phara {=Cadicera), 15; Pro- nopes, 2; Rhigioglossa (—Erodiorhynchus) , 1; Rhinornyza, 9; Scarphia (=Metoponaplos) , 2; Silvius (including Mesomyia), 12; Subpangonia, 2; Tabanus, 145 (and 10 varieties); and Thaumastocera, 2. The Malagasy region possesses only 28 species, viz., Aegophagamyia, 2; Bouvierella, 12; Chrysops, 4; Orgizomyia, 1; Rhinornyza, 5; and Tabanus, 4. Of these genera Adersia, Aegophagamyia, Bouvierella, Braunsiomyia, Dorcalcxmus, 36 Psyche [February Hinea, Lesneus, Orgizomyia, Phara, Pronopes, Rhigioglossa, Scarphia, Subpangonia, and Thaumastocera are precinctive. * * * The Tabanidse are a very natural and remarkably uniform group of flies, and, whereas there has never been any doubt as to the limits of the family, its further subdivision is much more difficult. Loew’s arrangement into two subfamilies has been generally adhered to and entomologists have been slow in recognizing the new generic divisions that have been proposed from time to time. This is clearly shown by the unsuccessful attempts at splitting up the extensive genus Tahanus, of which about 1150 species are known at present. In 1909, Ad. Lutz (Zool. Jahrb' Suppl., X, p. 624) proposed raising Loew’s subfamilies to the rank of major divisions. The Opisthacanthse, with tibial spurs at the hind tibiae, he divided into three subfamilies: Pangoniinae, Silviinae, and Chrysopinae. The Opisthanoplae, without tibial spurs, also formed three subfamilies: Diachlorinae, Lepisela- ginae, and Tabaninae. Among the Tabaninae he further dis- tinguished the Tabaninae haplocerae, with toothed third antennal joint, and the Tabaninae schistocerae, with branched third an- tennal joint. Ad. Lutz’ subdivisions, however, have not all been very clearly defined and, as they were evidently based on a study of South American insects only, they have not been accepted by other entomologists. Quite recently Enderlein has come forward with a much more pretentious scheme of classification, intended to be of universal application.^ He also adopts Loew’s two major subdivisions of the family, for which he uses the names proposed by Ad. Lutz. In the Opisthacanthse he recognizes four subfamilies sep- arable as follows :2 ^G. Enderlein. Ein neues Tabanidensystem. Mitt. Zool. Mus. Berlin, X, 2, 1922, pp. 333-351. ^Throughout his key Enderlein uses the word “Fiihlergeissel” for the third antennal segment and not for the terminal st}de, but I have corrected this oversight. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment of the Tabanidoe 37 1. Antennal style four-jointed, rarely three-jointed (in one case all the joints fused) Silviinse. Antennal style seven-jointed, rarely six-jointed 2 . 2. Anal cell open Pelecorhynchinse. Anal cell closed 3 . 3. First posterior cell open, rarely closed just at the margin Melpiinse. First posterior cell closed some distance before the margin Pangoniinae. The Opisthanoplse he divides into five subfamilies : 1. Antennal style three-jointed, rarely two-jointed Haematopotinse. Antennal style four-jointed 2 . 2. Anal cell open; no ocelli Chasmiinae. Anal cell closed, petiolate 3 . 3. First antennal segment longer than thick; no ocelli Diachlorinae. First antennal segment about as long as thick 4 . 4. First posterior cell closed; ocelli always absent . . Bellardiinae. First posterior cell open; ocelli sometimes present. Tabaninae. Enderlein accepts for the whole of the family Tabanidae 131 genera, that is three times as many as Surcouf.^ These are divided among his nine subfamilies as follows: Pelecorhynchinae, 2; Melpiinae, 17; Pangoniinae, 22; Silviinae, 25; Chasmiinae, 2; Bellardiinae, 5; Tabaninae, 40; Diachlorinae, 8; and Haema- topotinae, 10. According to this classification the North and Central American species would represent 27 genera, namely: Melpiinae: Apatolestes, Osca {Diatomineura) , (and Goniops, which was not known to Enderlein). Pangoniinae: Pangonius, Rhinotriclista, Scione, Pityocera, Fidena, Esenheckia, and Ricardoa. Silviinae; Chrysops, Silvius, (and Neochrysops, which was not known to Enderlein.) Bellardiinae: Bellardia. ^Quite recently (Deutsch. Ent. Zeitschr., 1923, pp. 544-545) Enderlein has briefly defined 21 additional new genera. Of these, Anacimas is based upon a North American species. 38 Psyche [February Tabaninse: Stihasoma, Dichelacera, Dasyommia, Selasoma, Snowiellus, Hyhoniitra, Therioplectes, Tahanus, Atylotus^ Lepiselaga, (and Merycomyia, which was not known to Enderlein) . Diachlorinse : Diachlorus. Hsematopotinse; Hcematopota. A commendable feature of Enderlein’s work is the desig- nation of genotypes, though in some cases they are manuscript names of as yet undescribed species. Unfortunately the author has evidently failed to inquire whether types had not been pre- viously selected for some of the older genera. Since this is likely to cause some confusion in the future, I may point out some of the cases I have noticed. Diachlorus Osten Sacken. The genotype is Tahanus hi- cinctus Fabricius, as designated by Coquillett (1910); not Tahanus f err ugatus Fabricius as given b}" Enderlein. Dichelacera Macquart. The type of this genus is Dichelacera unifasciata Macquart, as designated b}^ Coquillett (1910); Enderlein gives Tahanus cervicornis Fabricius. Corizoneura Uondani. The type of this genus is T anyglossa cethiopica Thunberg (Syn.: Pangonia apjjendiculata Macquart), as designated by Coquillett (1910) and again by Austen in 1920 (Bull. Ent. Research, XI, p. 139). Enderlein’s genus Corizoneura, with Pangonia angustata Macquart as type, is entirely different and its characters seem to agree with those of Duplex Austen (Type: Pangonia suavis Loew), a genus evidently overlooked by Enderlein, Erephopsis Rondani. The genotype is Pangonia fulvithorax Wiedemann, as designated by Coquillett (1910). Enderlein gives Tahanus guttatus Donovan. Lilcea Walker. Pangonia lurida Walker was designated as type by Coquillett (1910). Enderlein gives as such Pangonia roei King. Melpia Walker. Pangonia fidvithorax Wiedemann, is the genotype designated by Coquillett in 1910, which makes this generic name a strict synonym of Erephopsis Rondani. Melpia Enderlein, with Melpia exeuns Walker as type, if really generic- ally distinct from Erephopsis, will need a new name. 1924] Notes Upon Surcoufs Treatment of the Tabanidoe 39 Nemorius Rondani. Monotypic for Chrysops vitripennis Meigen, as originally proposed by Rondani. Enderlein gives N. singularis Meigen as type. Nuceria Walker. Pangonia longirostris Hardwicke was designated as type by Coquillett in 1910. Enderlein gives as such Tabanus rostratus Linnaeus. Ornmatiosteres Enderlein. Enderlein gives as type of this new genus Pangonia bifasciata Wiedemann, and places it in the Melpiinae, which, according to his key, have the first posterior cell open. P. bifasciata, however, has been thus far placed among the Pangonius with the first posterior cell closed. Pangonius Latreille. Latreille (1810) and Coquillett (1910) designated Tabanus proboscideus Fabricius, 1794 {=Pangonia maculata PuhvioiViS, 1805) as the type. Enderlein gives as such Tabanus marginatus Fabricius, which was not among the species mentioned by Latreille when he originally proposed the genus. Philoliche Wiedemann. Coquillett designated Tabanus rostratus Linnaeus as type in 1910, so that Nuceria Enderlein (not of Walker) is an exact synonym of Philoliche. Enderlein’s Philoliche j however, with Tabanus angulatus Fabricius as type, is entirely different. Siridorhina Enderlein. This is an exact synonym of Nuceria Walker (not of Enderlein), since both have the same genotype: Pangonia longirostris Hardwicke. To judge from the charac- ters given in Enderlein’s key, both Siridorhina Enderlein and Nuceria Walker appear to equal Corizoneura Rondani and indeed Austen includes Pangonia longirostris Hardwicke in Corizoneura as defined by him in Bull. Ent. Research, XI, 1920, p. 139. The genus should be known as Nuceria Walker, since that name has several years priority. In his introduction Enderlein mentions several genera whose descriptions were not accessible to him. There are, unfortunately, a number of others which have also been overlooked, for instance such a well-known type as Goniops Aldrich. Enderlein’ s paper was issued as a preliminary account, pending the publication of a more comprehensive revision of the tabanid genera. Meanwhile it is difficult to judge of the validity 40 Psyche [February or usefulness of the many subfamilies, tribes, and genera which he adopts, the more so since several of his new genera are based upon undescribed species. The real test as to whether these groups are natural divisions or merely based upon artificial combinations of characters will come when Enderlein attempts to classify all or at least the majority of the described species. Unless this test is satisfactorily met, it is difficult to see how Enderlein’s work will not merely add to the intricacy of an al- ready overburdened taxonomy. 1924] Notes on Some New England Phoridoe 41 NOTES ON SOME NEW ENGLAND PHORIDJE (DIPTERA)i By Charles T. Brues. Among a small series of Phoridse recently received for identification from Mr. C. W. Johnson there are two species of particular interest. One is a new species of Apocephalus, a genus known to develop as a parasite of ants, and the other a small wingless female of Puliciphora which appears during the winter months. Apocephalus borealis sp. nov. (Fig. 1, a, b, c,) 9 . Length, including ovipositor 2.2 mm. Pale yellow, the central portion of the abdomen with an orange tinge and the legs pale brownish yellow; first segment of abdomen brownish, with pale hind margin; second segment with a brownish blotch at the middle of the lateral margin; third and fourth each with a Fig 1. Apocephalus borealis sp. noy. a, apex of abdomen with ovipositor in lateral view; b, ovipositor in ventral view; c, wing. larger darker spot; fifth entirely fuscous; sixth with the anterior angles brown; ovipositor brownish black, paler at tip, the membrane covering its upper side pale. Wings hyaline, venation pale fuscous. Front barely as high as wide; with only eight bristles below the ocelli; lowest row consisting of two reclinate ^Contribution from the Entomological Laboratory of the Bussey Ins- titution Harvard University, No. 234. 42 Psyche [Februafy post antennal ones and a lateral one next to the eye, median pair of the row above further apart than the post-antennals, this row curved upwards at the sides with the lateral bristle rather close to the eye margin and nearer to one of the median bristles than these are to one another. Ocellar row of four. All bristles strong, subequal. Median frontal suture distinct; lower half of front with scattered minute black bristles. Post- ocular cilia moderate, but the upper one on each side much enlarged. Antennae pyriform, obtusely pointed, as long as the front; arista no longer than the third joint, very stout, especially at base, nearly bare. Palpi rather broad, weakly bristled; cheeks each with two downwardly directed macrochsetae. Meso- notum sub-shining, with one pair of dorsocentral marcrochaetae; scutellum with one pair of bristles, the lateral pair very minute, scarcely visible. Propleura with two slender bristles above the insertion of the coxa and two minute ones near the humeral angle; mesopleura bare. Front coxa with a noticeable stripe of minute bristles along the anterior edge; middle tibiae not dis- tinctly setulose; hind tibiae with a line of very delicate, closely placed setulae inside the posterior edge; all tarsi slender. Ab- domen broad; second segment elongated, twice as broad as long, bare laterally; third to fifth segments gradually shorter, longer at the sides than along the median line; sixth longer and narrower, almost semicircular, with a few small marginal bristles medially at apex. Ovipositor of peculiar form; in dorsal view projecting beyond the sixth segment for a distance half the length of the abdomen; consisting of two chitinous pieces united at their apices, the upper one straight, issuing from the underside of the fifth and sixth segments and bearing below near the base a number of strong bristles; lower piece curved upward to meet the upper one and connected to it at the base by a large chitinous tooth originating at the extreme base of the upper piece. Viewed from the side (Fig. 1, A) the upper piece is seen to be nearly circular in section and the lower one greatly flattened; in ventral view (Fig. 1, B) the lower piece is spatulate, with truncate tip. Wing (Fig. 1, C) unusually narrow, costa not quite attaining the middle of the wing; first section of costa twice the length of the second; third very short, the minute second vein nearly per- 1924] Notes on Some New England Phoridce 43 pendicular to the costa; fourth vein very slightly and evenly curved; fifth faintly bisinuate; sixth and seventh similarly sinuate; costal cilia rather long and set moderately close together. Type from Salisbury Cove, Maine, July 17, 1913 (C. W* Johnson). It is deposited in the collection of the Boston Society of Natural History. The distinguishing characteristics of this species may be indicated by the following tabular arrangement. Key to the North American Species of Apocephalus (Females). 1. Front more than twice as wide as long, ovipositor narrowed to tip, without lateral enlargements. . . .wheeleri Brues. Front quadrate or nearly so 2. 2. Costal vein much less than half the length of the broad wing, with long, sparse fringe; ovipositor broad, with acuminate apex spinicosta Malloch. Costal vein about half the length of the wing, which is not unusually broad; costal fringe shorter and more dense 3. 3. Ovipositor, in dorsal view, swollen near base and apex, with a constriction between coquilletti Malloch. Ovipositor without lateral expansions, or with one at base only 4 . 4. Scutellum with two marginal bristles, ovipositor with widely separated dorsal and ventral valves; wing very narrow; front entirely yellow borealis sp. no\ . . Scutellum with the second pair of bristles present, though smaller; ovipositor without separated valves, wing broad- er 5 . 5. Ovipositor with very strong lateral expansions near base where it is three times as wide as at tip . . pergandei Coquillet Ovipositor with weak expansions at base which is twice as wide as the tip Malloch. Two other North American species are known only in the male sex. A, aridus Malloch differs in having black halteres and a much more sparse costal fringe. A. pictus Malloch differs in having four subequal scutellar bristles and a black front. 44 Psyche [February Puliciphora glacialis Malloch Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Washington, vol. 43, p. 507, figs. (1912). Concerning the habits of this species there is appended to the original description of the minute wingless female, the re- markable note: “ ‘Active on the ice’, Jan., 1874, Tyngsboro, Massachusetts (F. Blanchard)”. As the genus Puliciphora and its relatives are typically tropical insects which extend only sparingly into temperate regions, I have been expectantly waiting for further information relating to this species. In the lot of Phoridse containing the Apocephalus described above there is a single additional female specimen of Puliciphora glacialis found by Mr. C. A. Frost at Framingham, Mass, on March 23, 1907 while sifting for beetles. Reference to the Monthly Weather Review for March 1907, shows that there was an unprecedented warm period in the eastern states from March 21st to 23rd and that a maximum temperature of 76° was recorded at Framing- ham. Such temporary warm spells during the winter are, of course, the occasion for the appearance of most “winter” or “snow” insects, such as Boreus, Chionea, etc. So far as Chionea is concerned, its closest relatives seem to be inhabitants of cold climates (Pterochionea Alexander, of the nearctic region), and the same appears to hold true for most typical snow-insects. The present species of Puliciphora is more darkly colored and the abdominal plates are much more heavily chitinized than is usual in the genus. Structurally, however, it seems to be quite typical, even to the presence of the slit-like gland opening on the fifth abdominal segment. This habit is not unprecedented in the family for there are quite a number of species known, especially among those that frequent carrion which are often taken during the colder spring and fall months. Thus, Trupheoneura and Parastenophora include a number of autumnal forms some of which probably hibernate as adults. 1924] A New Species of Dixa from California 45 A NEW SPECIES OF DIXA FROM CALIFORNIA, By O. a. Johannsen. Cornell University. Ithaca, N. Y. The species described below was reared on May first, 1923, by Miss Alice M. Westfall from larvae collected from the surface of a pool formed by the water from a leak in an irrigation pipe across the street eastward from the Claremont (Cal) high school. In the key published in Psyche (30: 52, 1923) the species will find a place in the couplet with D. clavula Will., but differs in having the point of intersection of the radio-median crossvein with the petiole of the radial sector less than one-fourth the length of the crossvein proximad of the base of R4 A 5 while in clavula the intersection lies almost the length of the crossvein proximad of this point. Moreover the basal segment of the clasper in the last mentioned species is distinctly globose. Dixa aliciae sp. nov. Male. Head, antennae, proboscis and palpi brown, pro- boscis more yellowish below. Thorax including scutellum, yellow; mesonotum with three dull dark brown lines, the middle one divided by a hair line, the laterals abbreviated anteriorly; metanotum and sterno pleura brown. Abdomen yellowish brown; basal segment of clasper not globose, its mesal process nearly as long as the terminal segment, straight, slender, parallel sided, the apical fourth still more slender and curved like a plow handle; terminal segment slightly clavate resembling that of D. modesta but with longer hairs, especially apically. Legs brownish yellow, extreme tips of femora and of tibiae darkened, tips of hind tibiae slightly swollen. Fore basitarsus broken in the only male speci- men. Wings hyaline, veins brownish except the base of the radius which is more yellowish; a very faint suggestion of a cloud covers the radio-median crossvein while the petiole of the cubitus is margined posteriorly by a faint grayish line; the sub- costa ends slightly distad of the base of the radial sector; petiole 46 Psyche [February of R2+3, measured on a straight line from its base to the base of the fork, slightly more than half as long as R3; petiole of the media measured from the crossvein about an eighth its length longer than its anterior branch; the position of the radio-median crossvein as described above and nearly in line with the medio- cubital crossvein. Halteres yellow, the upper surface of the knob darkened. Length 2.75 mm. One specimen. Female. Like the male in coloring. The petioles of both radial and medial forks relatively slightly shorter. Fore basi tar- sus 0.7 as long as the corresponding tibia. One specimen. Slide mount of holotype and allotype in the Cornell Univer- sity collection. 1924] The Name of the Lac Insects 47 THE NAME OF THE LAC INSECTS By T. D. a. Cockerell. University of Colorado The Monograph of the Tachardiinse, by Mr. J. C. Chamber- lin, recently published in Bulletin of Entomological Research, vol. XIV, is certainly a fine example of modern work on Coccidse. It appears to exhaust the subject so far as the available materials permit, but of course many species remain to be discovered, and there is much to be done on the biology of all. Before it was published, I called the attention of Professor Ferris to the name Laccifer Oken, but he presumably had no access to Oken’s work. I am indebted to Mr. C. D. Sherborn for a copy of Oken’s account, in Lehrb. Naturg., Ill (1), 1815, p. 430. He proposes a genus Laccifer, for ^‘Chermes or Coccus lacca” It is stated to be the source of the gum-lac, and to occur by the Ganges on Mimosa cinerea and M. glauca, plants now known as Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn. and Leucoena glauca (L.) Benth. The old error of taking the male coccid for the adult female and some hymenopterous parasite for the adult female is repeated, but does not invalidate the name. I agree with Ferris that these peculiar insects deserve to rank as a family, and accordingly the following changes appear to be necessary: Family Lacciferidse (Tachardiidse Ferris) Subfamily Lacciferinse (Tachardiinse Ckll., pars.) Laccifer albizzice (Green, as Tachardia) Laccifer meridionalis (Chamb., as Tachardia) Laccifer greeni (Chamb., as Tachardia) Laccifer fid (Green, as Tachardia) Laccifer ehrachiatus (Chamb., as Tachardia) Laccifer lacca (Kerr, as Coccus) Laccifer conchiferatus (Green, as Tachardia) It may be noted that according to the rules Tachardina lobata is to be credited to Green, as he not only published a full descrip- tion, but gave the name and mentioned a difference from the 48 Psyche [February Philippine T. minuta. Also the combination Tachardina alhida should not be credited to me, but to MacGillivray; I used the name Tachardina only in a subgeneric sense. Mr. Chamberlin indicates subgenera and then immediately uses the names in a generic sense, which is illogical; but it may be anticipated that the latter treatment will eventually prevail. i.- I ,V; I I r t k I il I (r •JK' I Whatever Your Question Be it the pronunciation of Bolsheviki or sov- iet, the spelling of a puzzling word — the meaning of blighty, fourth arm, etc., this Supreme Authority — WEBSTER’S i^EW BE^TERNATiONAL DICTIONARY contains an accurate, final answer. 400,000 Words, 2700 Pages. 6000 Illustrations. Regular and India Paper Editions. G. & o. mermam; CO., mass. Write for specimen pages, prices, etc., and FREE Pocket Maps if you name “Psyche”. 500 Pin Labels all alike, 50 Cents. 1000 Pin-Labels all alike, 80 Cents. Smallest Type. Pure White Ledger Paper. Not over 4 Lines n