ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [June, '08 



Incidental Studies of new species of Oscinis. 



BY E. S. TUCKER, 



Special Agent, Bureau of Entomology, U. S. Dept. of Agric. 



In my incidental studies of flies which were obtained by per- 

 sonal collecting- during- past and more recent years, four forms 

 have been found belonging in the genus Oscinis, which fail 

 to agree with any known species, and, in consequence, they are 

 named and described herewith as new. 



Oscinis nigra n. sp. 



Colorado, Denver; August, 1906. Type: one specimen de- 

 posited in the U. S. National Museum. 



Wholly black, except fulvous tinge of halteres, and dull reddish 

 eyes. Body and legs shining. Triangular space of front extending 

 from the vertex to a point against the antennal insertions, lower 

 angular edges of front dull opaque. Dorsum of thorax minutely punc- 

 tured, bearing scattered black bristles, sides fringed ; scutellum having 

 two apical bristles of great length. 



First and second sections of wings equal in length, third section 

 about two-thirds the length of either one of the preceding, and fourth 

 section one-half the length. Third and fourth longitudinal veins 

 scarcely divergent. Length, 1.5 mm. 



This specimen differs from all previously described forms of 

 Oscinis on account of total absence of yellow or fulvous color, 

 other than on the halteres. 



Oscinis flavescens n. sp. 



Colorado, Manitou, 6629 ft. ; August, 1894. Type : one speci- 

 men deposited in the U. S. National Museum. 



Prevailing color yellow, with black markings as follows : A small 

 spot on vertex enveloping the ocelli ; three broad longitudinal stripes on 

 mesonotum, the medial, except towards the distal end, is twice the 

 width of a lateral one, beginning on the prothorax in a_dvance of them 

 and extending the entire length of mesonotum, while the lateral stripes 

 taper to an end before reaching the posterior margin ; metathorax 

 polished black beneath the scutellum ; dorsal base of abdomen and a 

 median spot arising from anterior edge of second segment black, basal 

 margin with a pronounced and rounded middle expansion on each 

 succeeding segment also black; two subfuscous spots on pleura pos- 

 teriorly beneath base of wing, and a strong dash of black on posterior 

 coxal plate. 



Eyes black ; vertex and front punctured, somewhat shining on 

 triangular area; third antennal joint disciform, arista black; dorsum 

 of thorax clothed with fine grayish pubescence which glistens on the 



