178 L. O. HOWARD. 



Stigmal aud postiiiiirginal veins much shortened ; stignial 

 given off at almost a right angle. 



Genus Zygota Foerster. 

 Stigmal and postmargiual not much shortened ; stignial 

 given ofl" at a very ohlique angle. 



Genus Aclisia Foenster. 

 Abdomen with less than eight dorsal segments. 

 Abdomen with seven dorsal segments. 



Genus Acropiesta Foerster. 

 Abdomen with less than seven dorsal segments. 



Marginal vein more than twice as long as radial cell. 



Genus MsicrorhymiiN Foerster. 

 Marginal vein shorter, as long as, or scarcely longer than 

 radial cell. 

 Abdomen with three dorsal segments, the second very 

 much lengthened, almost reaching the tip of the ab- 

 domen, the third issuing from the second like a short 

 style ; marginal vein plainly shorter than radial cell. 

 (Jenus Miota Foerster. 

 Alidomen with three, very seldom with four dorsal seg- 

 ments, the .second not greatly lengthened, the third 

 equally large and strongly compressed laterally ; mar- 

 ginal vein not shorter than radial cell. 



Genus LiCptorliaptus Foerster. 



Sublhinily Hp:lorin.«. 



This subfiuiiily consists only of the genus Helorus Latreille, which 

 is sufficiently characterized in the subfamily synopsis. One unde- 

 scribed species of the genus has been collected in this country. A 

 single specimen was sent me by Mr. Cresson labeled " Canada." 



The genus Copelus Provancher (Petite Faune entomologiciue de 

 Canada, II, 539, 1883), seems, from the figures and description which 

 Mr. Provancher gives, to be identical with Helorits. The author 

 places it with the Braconidae, and says : " The singular arrangement 

 of the wing- veins with these insects renders them at once remarkable. 

 The form of the abdomen would seem at first to place them with the 

 Proctotrupidj\3, but the perfect venation of the wings excludes them 

 from this fi\mily." 



The proper position of this genus has been a matter of considerable 

 dispute. The full venation of the Avings and its evident high or- 

 ganization must place it at the head of the Proctotrupidae. The 

 species which I have seen bears a strong superficial resemblance to 

 the Sphegid genus Tiphia. Its habits are those of a parasite, and 

 H. anomalipea Panz., has been bred from the pupa of a Hemerobim. 



