BRACHYCYRTINE WASPS — WALKLEY 317 



The apically thickened antennae of Brachycyrtus, Labium, and 

 Poecilocrypius are also found in some species of the hemitehne 

 genus Otacustes Foerster, particularly in females of 0. hicolor (Cusli- 

 man) as well as in females of Alyersia Viereck and of hemitehne genera 

 formerly considered pezomachine. 



Some earlier authors have considered the petiole of Brachycyrtus 

 distinct from that of various cryptine genera. If one will compare the 

 petiole with that of Alesostenus and related genera, especially with 

 that of Alesostenus longicaudis Cresson (type of Derocentrus Cush- 

 man), a close similarity will be noted. The shape of the abdomen is 

 also similar. 



The Cushman species Brachycyrtus oculatus and B. convergens show 

 that emargination of the eyes is not a tribal character. The genus as it 

 now stands contains two natural groups, one with strongly emarginate 

 eyes, and the other with eyes either weakly or not at all emarginate 

 (fig. l,c,d). In this paper I shall consider each group a valid genus of 

 the tribe Brachycyrtini, subfamily Cryptinae. The small wasps 

 (4.5-9 mm. long) belonging to the Brachycyrtini are easily dis- 

 tinguished from those of other tribes in the Cryptinae by the following 

 combination of characters: the short, high, globose thorax; long, 

 slender, more or less club-shaped abdomen; the long antennae thick- 

 ening toward the apex; the short, broad head, usually broader than the 

 thorax; the flat or somewhat concave clypeus and more or less emargi- 

 nate upper mandibular tooth; the tiny claws; and the distinctive wing 

 venation (see fig. l,a,h). In fact, the wing venation is so distinct and 

 so characteristic — differing not only from that of other Cryptinae but 

 from that of other subfamilies as well — that ultimately, with the rear- 

 ing and collection of more material, additional characters ma}^ be 

 found that will necessitate the making of a separate subfamily, the 

 Brachycyrtinae, for the groups. 



The two genera, then, that constitute the Brach^'cyrtini are Brachy- 

 cyrtus Kriechbaumer and Habryllia, new genus, and may be separated 

 as follows: 



Eyes deeply or strongly emarginate; gastrocoeli present; occipital carina meeting 

 hypostomal carina before base of mandible . . . Brachycyrtus Kriechbaumer 



Eyes weakly or not at all emarginate; gastrocoeli absent; occipital carina not 

 meeting hypostomal carina but going directly to base of mandible. 



Habryllia, new genus. 



Little is known of the biology of the tribe. Species have been 

 recorded from Chrysopidae, Chrysopa sp., and "trashbug pupae" 

 (cln-ysopid pupae), undoubtedly correct!}'. Indefinite records are: 

 cage of Alabama argillacea Hcubner; caged cotton buds infested with 

 Anthonomus vestitus Boheman; and traps for fruit flies. 



