22 ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. [January, 



was discussed at some length, Messrs. Frank, Doll, Smith, Seib 

 and others taking part. 



This was followed by some discussions on the habits of dung 

 beetles, particularly the so-called tumble bugs, in the course of 

 which Mr. Seib read an article from a German publication detail- 

 ing at length some observations as to the method in which the 

 insects formed and disposed of the pellet they are so often seen 

 trundling about. 



Tne Entomological Section 



ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES, PHILADELPHIA. 



PROCEEDINGS OF MEETINGS. 



The following papers were read and accepted by the Committee for 

 publication in ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS : 



NITELOPTERUS. A NEW LARRID GENUS. 



By WILLIAM H. ASHME.AD. 



Among a small but interesting collection of parasitic Hymen- 

 optera sent me some time ago by Mrs. Annie T. Slosson, for 

 names, was a minute digger-wasp, taken by her last Winter at 

 Lake Worth, Florida, representing a new genus in the family 

 Larridae, although evidently closely allied to the European genus 

 Nilela Latreille. 



Our species in this family have only quite recently been mono- 

 graphed by Mr. Wm. J. Fox, and I therefore think it best that 

 there should be no delay in publishing a diagnosis of this inter- 

 esting new genus. 



Nitelopterus g. n. J\ Head transverse, with the eyes large and occu- 

 pying the whole side of the head, extending to base of mandibles ; maxil- 

 lary palpi 5-jointed ; labral palpi 3-jointed ; mandibles long lanceolate; 

 acute at tips, but with a deep emargination on lower side before the mid- 

 dle ; ocelli distinct, triangularly arranged. Thorax with a pronotum a 

 little longer, but narrower than the mesonotum, with a transverse con- 

 striction or furrow above at about two-thirds its length; mesonotum broader 

 than long, obtrapezoidal, without parapsidal furrows, but with a shallow, 

 poorly-defined, median furrow, which is more especially noticeable ante- 

 riorly; scutfllum with a transverse grooved line at base; metanotum as 

 long as the mesonotum and scutellum united, slightly narrowed towards 

 apex, the hind angles rounded, the short oblique posterior face trans- 

 versely striated, with a slight sulcus ; spiracles linear ; tibial spurs i, i, 2, 

 the tarsi longer than their femora. Front wings with one submarginal and 

 two discoidal cells, the submedian cell considerably shorter than the me- 



