THE GENUS TACHINOMYIA — WEBBER 297 



TACHINOMYIA VAKIATA Curran 



Figure 17, d, i 



Tachinomyia variata Citrkan, Trans. Roy. Soc. Canada, ser. 3, vol. 5, sect. 5, 

 p. 169, figs. 14, 15, 1926. 



According to Cun-an (1926, p. 168) varmta is characterized princi- 

 pally by the dense, bristly pile on the lower surface of the anal 

 forceps, three or four dorsocentral bristles, and absence of ridges on 

 the lobes of the fifth sternite. 



In his description Curran omitted several characters which would 

 have aided materially in the identification of the species. At the 

 request of the writer more details concerning the type specimen have 

 been furnished by G. H. Shewell, of the Canadian National Museum, 

 where the type is deposited. His description is as follows : 



"Length, 12 nmi. Four posterior doi^ocentrals, the second very 

 fine; fourth abdominal segment black with reddish posterior border, 

 thinly gray pollinose ; fifth sternite lobes reddish with distinct ridges 

 on their inner edge; second genital segment reddish; inner forceps 

 pilose behind (about as in Curran's drawing) ; ratio of second to 

 third antennal segment 1 : 2.5." 



Tachinomyia variata differs slightly from T. cana as follows : The 

 ridges on the inner edges of the lobes of the fifth sternite are better 

 developed and apparently more constant in character; the second 

 antennal segment is mostly black ; the paraf acialia are narrower ; the 

 anal forceps are somewhat stouter and usually more densely pilose 

 on their posterior surfaces; and there are usually three dorsocentrals. 



Redescription of male. — Hind tibiae inwardly with short villosity, 

 villi scarcely the tibial width in length ; inner edges of lobes of fifth 

 sternite usually with a conspicuous ridge (fig. 17, i) ; anal forceps 

 (fig. 17, d) with dense pilosity behind, stout at base and somewhat 

 similar in outline to acosta.; fourth sternite convexly produced; 

 fourth abdominal segment black, moderately gray pollinose, with red- 

 dish-black apical border; first genital segment reddish black, second 

 orange red, moderately pilose above; scutellum black, apex slightly 

 reddish; tliree or four dorsoc^entrals; no posterior preintraalar bristle; ■. 

 cheeks hardly one-third the eye height, with pale hairs; second an- 

 tennal segment mostly black, third segment scarcely three times its 

 length. Front silvery gray pollinose, with slight yellowish cast, at 

 narrowest part about one-fifth the head width; 10 or 11 frontal bris- 

 tles, the last 2 reelinate ; frontalia narrow, widening gradually to base 

 of antennae; parafacialia nearly concolorous with front, at narrowest 

 part compared with distance between vibrissae 7.6:17.5 (average of 

 six); facial ridges bristly one-half way to antennae; vibrissae well 

 above oral margin. Length 1^17 mm. 



