230 PROCEEDIWOS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. 45. 



Body unmarked save for two transverse yellowish white bands across the thorax at 

 scutellum and hind border of mesonotum; fore wings fumated out to end of the 

 stigmal vein. Discal bristle present bifasciata Ashmead. 



Body unmarked save for a subquadrate spot of silvery white on each side at the 

 cephalo-lateral angle of the thorax (in reality joined by a very faint band 

 crossing the thorax at the cephalic margin of the scutum). 

 Fore wings nearly hyaline but distinctly clouded proximad under the proximal 

 third of the submarginal vein (or at proximal seventh); discal bristle absent; 

 marginal cilia at apex of the fore wing subequal to a fourth of the wing's greatest 

 width. Tip of stigmal vein pointing distad, the inner margin of the stigmal 

 vein nearly in a straight line with the inner margin of the marginal at apex. 



melancholica Girault. 

 III. rhizococci group. 



This group contains but a single species, rhizococci Ashmead, which is characteris- 

 tically marked but which is likely to be confused with several species in other groups, 

 for instance, the one preceding and the one following. It may be distinguished at 

 once from any species of the unifasciata group by reason of the length of the white 

 band across the thorax, which is equal nearly to half of the length of that region; also 

 by reason of its general color, which is a sooty brown, not a pure deep black. In the 

 flavopalliata group it is most likely to be confused with flaropalliata itself, which it 

 closely resembles in the pattern of general body coloration. However, white differs 

 from yellow and the tAvo species differ that much in coloration; structurally, they may 

 be distinguished readi^ by reason of the differences in the width of the caudal wings 

 which are about twice broader in rhizococci and different in shape, tapering somewhat 

 distad, broadest proximad at apex of the venation, not true in flavopalliata, the pos- 

 terior wings there nearly equal in width throughout and narrow; the fore wings are 

 also somewhat broader in rhizococci and differ in shape, being broader distad, broad 

 proximad in flavopalliata. It is scarcely probable that the species will be confused 

 with any others aside from the ones mentioned. It is sooty or smoky brown in color, 

 marked with ivory white. 



Fore wings clouded out to the end of the venation; longest marginal cilia of fore 

 wing about three-fourths that wing's greatest width; discal bristle present; 

 posterior wings with their longest marginal cilia distinctly longer than the 

 wing is wide; antennal club brown; remainder of antenna and legs pallid 

 yellowish white rhizococci Ashmead 



IV. flavopalliata group. 



This group is characterized by having a predominance of smoky brown or dark 

 brown in its general body coloration, marked on the head, thorax or abdomen, or all, 

 with lemon or golden yellow; in other words, yellow is present but this color forms 

 but a small proportion of the whole body pattern. It includes the following species: 

 flavopalliata Ashmead, mexicana Ashmead, townsendi Ashmead, and fax Girault, 

 forms which may be identified by the vise of the following table. All of these species 

 are closely allied, very similar structurally and hence great care must be exercised 

 in attempting identification in this group. A careful study of the following table 

 should prove of great aid. The species flavopalliata and townsendi are more nearly 

 structurally identical. 



Body marked with a broad band of orange or lemon yellow across the thorax, includ- 

 ing the metanotum and most of mesonotum except cephalic hah, sometimes 

 excepting the scutum; rest of body sooty brown but sometimes more or less 

 of the head and tip of abdomen is yellow. Fore wings fumated out to end 

 of venation; stigmal vein at inner margin forming a regular curve. 



