XXXI, '2O] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS 



The genus Aspistes Meigen in North America 

 (Diptera, Scatopsidae). 



By J. R. MALLOCH. 



In his paper on the dipterous family Scatopsidae* Dr. A. 

 L. Melander has recorded the European species Aspistes 

 beroHnensis Meigen as occurring in North America on the 

 strength of a specimen taken by Dr. Aldrich at Lafayette, 

 Indiana. I had some doubt about the correctness of the 

 identification as I had a number of specimens of an Aspistes 

 from Illinois, some of which had been in the collection of 

 the Natural History Survey for a number of years, which 

 though appearing to agree with the description of berolinen- 

 sis yet did not do so in every essential, while evidently the 

 same as that recorded by Melander. I deferred publishing 

 anything on the species until I could obtain authentic speci- 

 mens of the European species for comparison. These I 

 have now obtained through my colleague Dr. C. P. Alex- 

 ander who received them from Mr. M. P. Riedel. After an 

 examination of the two series I am of the opinion that the 

 North American species is undoubtedly distinct from the 

 European and describe it below. 



Aspistes harti sp. n. 



cf, 9 -Glossy black. Legs black, tibiae and tarsi yellowish testa- 

 ceous, apices of hind tibiae and tarsi usually infuscated. Wings clear. 

 Halteres black. 



Antennae in male lo-segmented, in female 8-segmented, the apical 

 three segments fused; frons, face, and vertex less conspicuously punctate 

 than in beroHnensis; sides of head behind eyes not striate. The elevation 

 on anterior half of mesonotum less closely punctured than in that species 

 and without the central longitudinal raised line which is always present 

 in beroHnensis. Abdomen in male as in beroHnensis, the eighth sternite 

 less distinctly punctate, and more pointed at apex. In other respects 

 as in beroHnensis. 



Length, 1.5-2.5 mm. 



Type, male, and allotype, Havana, Illinois, data lost. 

 Paratypes, Havana, 111., data lost, one male and one female; 



*Bull. 130, Div. Ent. Zool., State Coll. Wash., 1916, p. 5. 



