1895.] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 63 



and undescribed. S. frigida Smith, by the description, also 

 seems similar, but I think is clearly distinct. 



It is curious that from the same locality (Columbus, Texas), as 

 well as from Morgan County, La., Mr. Wickham sends a small 

 Mntilla which presents a close superficial resemblance to S. myr- 

 micoides This, which appears to be certainly A/, puteola Bl., 

 will be distinguished by the shape of the eyes and somewhat 

 larger size, as well as the parallel-sided thorax and other charac- 

 ters which appear on minute examination. 



[This species is closely related to pygm&a, differing by the 

 want of white pubescence on the apical abdominal segments. 

 W. J. F.] 



Sphaerophthalma quadriguttata Say, var. bigntlata. sp. nov. The two 

 anterior spots of the second abdominal segment absent. 



I have a 9 from Columbus, Texas (Wickham). The remain- 

 ing posterior spots are somewhat reduced in size, and for this 

 reason rather further apart than in typical quadriguttata, though 

 not nearly so far apart as in wickhami. This variety, though now 

 first named, is alluded to by Blake. 



The interest of this variety arises from the fact that in color 

 markings, though not in structure, it shows a transition towards 

 2vickhami. It remains to be seen whether it occurs in the South 

 only, or extends northwards with the typical form. 



Brachycistis idiotes n. sp. ^ shining chestnut-brown, head, legs and 

 antennae concolorous; wings hyaline, with a slight yellow tinge, venation 

 fuscous, stigma shining, very dark brown. Length of anterior wing 15 

 mm.; of first abdominal segment 3'-, mm. Antennae long, as usual in 

 tht- genus, first joint of flagellum about as long as second. Ocelli large, 

 not situated on any black patch. Punctures of thorax distinct, but scat- 

 tered, not numerous. Legs with pale long hairs, tibial spurs very long 

 and slender, the longest one oil the hind leg being about half as long- 

 as the first joint of tarsus. First abdominal segmens with erect pale 

 hairs; its shape elongate, narrow, but slightly constricted at its junction 

 with second. Second segment above not punctate. Wings ample, stigma 

 a little over 2 mm. long, marginal cell just 2 mm. long, moderately nar- 

 row, terminally obliquely truncate, appendiculate. First submaryin.il 

 longer than stigma; second triangular, about as long as marginal, its 

 distal lower angle a right angle; third irregularly quadrate, narrowed 

 above. First recurrent nervure joining second submarginal considerably 

 beyond its middle; second recurrent joining third submarginal also beyond 

 its middle. Minute hooks on costa of inferior wing thirteen in number 

 ;in castanea they are about seventeen). 



Hab. Las Cruces, N. Mex. (Cockerell). 



