ICHNEUMON-FLIES, PART 2\ EPHIALTINAE 5 



"Pimplinae" rather than "Ephialtinae." We have chosen the latter 

 name because it is based on the oldest genus of the subfamily. With 

 the adoption of the name Ephialtinae all the supergeneric group 

 names in the Ichneumonidae will be based uniformly on the oldest 

 included genus, or when there is more than one of the same age, on 

 the one selected by the first revisor. Although the subfamily name 

 Pimplinae is well known, which would make it desirable to continue 

 using the name, in previous applications it has included a different 

 group of insects than our subfamily Ephialtinae. 



The six tribes of the Ephialtinae are keyed out below. They are 

 difficult to define and the beginner will have to use the key with 

 care. The habitus figures of the Nearctic genera (figs. 284-304,a) 

 should help in making correct tribal identifications. 



Key to the tribes of Ephialtinae 



1. Mesoscutum covered with sharp transverse wrinkles (figs. 300, b, and 302, b- 



304,a) 2 



Mesoscutum without transverse wrinkles, or sometimes with transverse 

 wrinkles on only a small portion of its surface 3 



2. First tergite with a sharp lateral longitudinal carina from its spiracle to its 



apex (fig. 300, b) ; last tergite of female elongate but without a horny rim 

 or truncate horn at apex (fig. 300, b) (Genus Pseudorhyssa) 



4. Theroniini (in part, p. 350) 

 First tergite without a distinct lateral longitudinal carina from its spiracle to 

 the apex (figs. 302,b-304,a); last tergite of female elongate and ending in a 

 heavy polished rim or a truncate horn (figs. 302,a-304,a) 



6. Rhyssini (p. 395) 



3. Prepectal carina absent (figs. 301 and 302, a) ; first tergite without a lateral 



longitudinal carina (at level of spiracle) except sometimes in Deuteroxorides; 

 upper part of temple with a scabrous area except in Poemenia (figs. 301, b 



and 302, a) 5. Poemeniini (p. 375) 



Prepectal carina present except in Alophosternum, in Dolichomitus cuspidatus, 

 and in a few extra-limital genera; first tergite usually with a lateral longi- 

 tudinal carina; upper part of temple without a scabrous area 4 



4. Mesopleural suture without a distinct angulation near the middle (figs. 298 



and 299, a), or if there is an angulation (in the exotic genus Xanthopimpla) 

 the tarsal claws each with an enlarged hair with a flattened tip and the apex 

 of mandible twisted so that its lower tooth is toward the mouth; when 

 hind tibia is banded there are apical and basal dark bands and a median 

 pale band, the extreme base thus being dark . . 3. Ephialtini (p. 280) 

 Mesopleural suture with a weak angulation near the middle (figs. 285-297; 

 299, b, and 300); never with both an enlarged hair on the tarsal claws and 

 the apex of the mandible twisted; when hind tibia is banded there are usually 

 apical and subbasal dark bands and median and basal pale bands, the 

 extreme base thus being pale 5 



5. Tarsal claws of female without a basal tooth (figs. 299, b and 300,a) ; tergites 



2 through 4 with fine indistinct punctures, polished or strongly mat; 

 areolet present; male subgenital plate often longer than wide. 



4. Theroniini (in part, p. 350) 



