by'arthuk white. 77 



recognised without difficulty by its slender shape, four-spined 

 scutellum, long antennje, and uniform, ligiit yellow-brown 

 colouration. 



4. A c T I N A Meig. 



Slender tlies, with a metallic-green thorax, six-spined scutellum, 

 and orange or brown abdomen; eyes hairy ((J) or sparsely hairy 

 (9), separated in both sexes; discal cell with four, issuing 

 veinlets, first, second, and fourth complete, third incomplete; 

 tibiae in the male considerably inflated. 



This genus occurs in Europe, North America, and Australia. 

 In Australia, two species are known. 



Tah/e of Australian Specie-s of Actina. 

 l.ScutcUar spines long, partlj"^ or altogether yellow; abdomen, in 



female, bright orange-brown, with black segmentations 



inciaurcdi-s Macq. 



2.Scutellar spines short, entirely metallie-green; abdomen, in 



female, uniform blackish-broMii coMatu White. 



Actina incisuralis Macq. 



Syn., Beris incisuralis Macq.; Beris Jilipalpis Macq. 



Thorax emerald-green((J), or bronze-green(5); abdomen brown 

 ((J), or bright orange-brown(2), with black segmentations; scu- 

 tellar spines yellow, with the base dark metallic-green; posterior 

 femora black((J), or orange, with the apical third or half black 

 (5); wings with a conspicuous, black stigma. Length, (J 7, 96mm. 



Hab. — New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland. 



This is one of the commonest and most widely distributed of 

 the Australian Stratiomyidcf . It usually occurs settled on low 

 vegetation, but may sometimes be found on windows. It is 

 subject to some variation, both as regards size, and colouring of 

 the abdomen and legs. 



'»'- 



Actina costata White. 



Thorax emerald-green, and abdomen blackish-brown in both 

 sexes; .scutellar spines short, entirely dark metallic-green; liind 

 femora black, with an orange band towards the apex (J"), or 

 entirely yellow(5); wings with the costal margin mucli inure 



