140 THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST. 



ZETHU3 AZTECUS IN FLORIDA. 



BY WM. HAMPTON PATTON, HARTFORD, CONN 



Zethus AZTECUS, Saussurc (Syn. Z. Foeyi, Sauss. and Z. S/ossonce, F.) 



The male differs little from the female in colour (specimens from 

 Indian River, Fla., Dr. VVittfeld) ; the described differences being all 

 variations. The male clypeus is often black at base and in middle. 



Saussure's description of Z az^ecus says, "fronte transversim in lineam 

 elevato." Hence Fox's character of difference for Z. S/ossonce is incor- 

 rect, and the new name yields to Z. aztecus, Sauss, 



Z. aztecus, having abdomen black, differs in this (and not in lacking a 

 ridge above antennae) from Z. Slossonce, Fox. 



Z. Poeyi, having abdomen red, agrees in this with Z. Slossonce. The 

 teeth of clypeus are variable. 



The spiral antennal tip of Poeyi is not sufficiently invariable to hold 

 this species distinct from aztecus ; and the length of pedicle of second 

 segment is variable in appearance. The colour (also variable) does not 

 differ from Slossonce to Poeyi. Hence I unite Poeyi to aztecus and add 

 Slossofice as a synonym. Occurs in Mexico, Cuba and Florida. 



In Zet/ius four divisions are named in Saussure's " Synopsis" : 



Zethus, Sauss., second abdominal segment subsessile. 



Heros, Sauss., clypeus lozenge-shaped, forming on each side an angle. 



Zethuscuhis, Sauss , pedicle of second segment not more than one- 

 fourth length of segment. 



Didymogaster, Perty, pedicle of second segment at least one-fourth 

 length of segment. 



None of these divisions appear to be sufficiently distinct to be worthy 

 of mention, even as sections. The length of pedicle of second segment 

 is variable in the same species ; hence, aztecus was placed in Zethusculus 

 and Poeyi in Didymogaster. 



Disccelius is a synonym of Zet/ms. 



