[Proc. Roy. Soc. Victoria, 24 (N.S.), Pt. I., 1911.] 



Art. VI. — Oa a Neiv Australian Genus of Phorklae 

 Associated with Termites. 



By ARTHUR M. LEA. 



(With Plate XXIV.). 



[Read Stli June, 1911]. 



In September and October, 1910, I examined large numbers 

 of nests of ants and termites in New South Wales ; sometimes 

 alone, at other times in company with entomological friends. 

 On one excursion a minute apterous fly was obtained in a nest 

 of termites. It belongs to the Phor'idae,^ and represents an- 

 other of the highly remarkable genera of that family. The 

 specimen was placed in a small tube, with two of the termites, 

 without examination other than to see if it was a beetle, and it 

 was not till after my return to Tasmania that its true nature 

 was noticed. After the first careful examination it w^as replaced 

 in the tube with alcohol, but this, unfortunately, evaporated, 

 so that the accompanying drawing nmst be regarded as being 

 made from a somewhat shrivelled specimen, as I am sure that 

 the abdomen was considerably larger than as now figured. 



Eutermiphopa, n. g. 



Head of moderate size. Eyes fairly large, irregularly sub- 

 quadrate. Proboscis thin, rather long, geniculate near base, 

 bifurcate at apex. Palpi thin. Antennae with first joint about 

 as long as basal part of proboscis, second very short and con- 

 cealed from some directions by third, third irregularly obpyri- 

 form, terminated by a setose arista. Thoracic segments en- 

 tirely concealed from above. Wings and halteres absent. 

 Abdomen with four segments of which the first is produced over 

 the thorax and head like a hood. Legs rather stout ; coxae 

 prominent ; femora about as long as proboscis ; tibiae shorter ; 

 tarsi longer than femora, basal joint somewhat inflated. 



1. This ajijiears to be the first record of the family from Australia ; a single winged 

 Tasmaiiian specimen of it, however, was recently sent to Mr. Brues, who has described 

 so many of the family. 



