AHT. 3 AVASPS OF SUBFAMILY BRACHYCISTIINAE MALLOCH 9 



CASTANEA group 



Characters. — Hind coxae sharply carinate on posteroventral mar- 

 gins, less conspicuously so in thermarum Bradley; propodeum with a 

 distinct transverse carina as in idiotes group ; second submarginal cell 

 of fore wing about as long as first; second sternite of abdomen with- 

 out a longitudinal carina; first abdominal segment not twice as long 

 as its apical width wiien seen from above; mid and hind tibiae with 

 distinct dorsal bristles or spines; only one pit below metathoracic 

 spiracle instead of the usual two. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES 



1. Second abdominal sternite with a transverse elevation near base; first 



tergite with a similar but less distinct ridge or elevation near middle 



crassa Bradley^ 



Second sternite and first tergite normal, without transverse elevations 2. 



2. Deep black species stygia Bradley. 



Castaneous or brownish orange colored species 3. 



3. Hind coxal carinae very sharp and conspicuous castanea Cresson- 



Hind coxal carinae more rounded, inconspicuous thermarum Bradley. 



BRACHYCISTIS (BRACHYCISTIS) CRASSA Bradley 



This is the only known species of the genus in which the second 

 abdominal tergite is transversely carinate near base. The hypopy- 

 gium is quite distinct from that of any other species of the genus 

 belonging to any group. The figures which I present of the organ 

 (figs. 44, 45) are considerably different from those given by Bradley 

 for this species, but the disparity may be due to a difference of view- 

 point, or to individual variation within the same species. The two- 

 small figures given above the uncus show lateral and end views of 

 that organ. 



All the species of the group except stygia are brownish-orange or 

 castaneous in color, the head being but little if any darker than the 

 thorax. Bradley gives good figures of the wings of all four species^ 

 showing their striking similarity. 



Length, 13-15 mm. 



Originally described from southern California. I have before me 

 specimens from Graham Mountains, Tucson, Arlington, Fort Grant, 

 and Gila Valley, Ariz. 



BRACHYCISTIS (BRACHYCISTIS) STYGIA Bradley 



A robust, coarsely punctate black species which is conspicuous 

 from the more slender shining black species like gaudii Cockerell and 

 atrata Blake by its larger size, 13-15 mm. in length, and the char- 

 acters listed in key to groups. I present figures of the hypopygium 

 (figs. 42, 46). 



Originally described from Arizona. I have before me a series of 

 specimens taken at Higley and Mount Superstition, Ariz. 

 54291—261 2 



