2O2 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [May, '09 



Tacliytes rufofasciatus Cress. 



Many males and females from Lee Co. , Texas, collected from 

 June to September (G. Birkmann). The females vary greatly 

 in size. The abdomen of the male in many of the specimens 

 is black, with the apical margin testaceous. The wings are 

 yellowish hyaline, nervures pale testaceous. The spines on 

 the tibiae are white. 



Tachytes obscurus Cress. 



Three females and six males, Lee Co., Texas, June to Aug. 

 (G. Birkmann). The females are typical, but the males do 

 not quite agree with Fox's description. They are undoubt- 

 edly the of the 9 which agrees. The elongate process on 

 the fore coxae is very short and there is a long bristle-like 

 hair, which is white, at the apex of each. The abdomen has 

 more silvery pubescence than the 9 . 



Tachytes dnbitatus n. sp. 



9. Length 13 mm. Anterior margin of the clypeus produced in the 

 middle into a broad lobe which is slightly emarginate ; at the sides there 

 are three small teeth, the outer one much more distinct, the inner one is 

 very small ; the above description is from the under side, from above it 

 is not so plain. A distinct furrow fiom anterior ocellus to base of an- 

 tennae, this is obscured by the hair of the front. Depressed area behind 

 lateral ocelli not strong ; the vertex is not parted by a furrow. Vertex 

 with large, separate punctures along the orbits, over the entire vertex 

 are small, rather close punctures. Sparse between the eyes at the top, 

 not quite as great as the length of antennal joints 2 + 3. Third antennal 

 joint a little longer than the fourth ; the fourth and fifth joints equal in 

 length ; apical joint a little longer than the preceding one. Dorsulum 

 distinctly, although not strongly, rather closely punctured. Scutelhim 

 more finely punctured, slightly impressed. Metanotum rather coarsely 

 granular, a rather indistinct median furrow which is at the apex broadened 

 into a rather shallow fovea. Posterior face more finely granular, the mid- 

 dle furrow distinct. Metathoric spiracles about the same as those of pro- 

 pinquus Roll. Tibiae and tarsi distinctly spinose. Longest spur of hind 

 tibiae about the same length as the basal joint of the hind tarsi, if any- 

 thing slightly longer. Second cubital on radial distinctly wider than third. 

 Dorsal segments of the abdomen under the compound microscope are 

 finely tessellated. Apical margins of ventral segments 3-6 and the side 

 of the sixth closely punctured ; along the apical ventral margin of three, 

 four and five is a row of long brown bristles. Pygidium more acute than 

 usual. Black; apex of mandibles and scape beneath piceous ; palpi, 



