On Toxotrypana of Gerstsecker. 



BY W. A. SNOW. 



Concerning the true relations-iip of this remarkable American 

 genus there has been much diversity of opinion. Osten Sacken, 

 Bigot and Mik have agreed in assigning it to the Trypetidae. Van 

 der Wulp mentions it as occupying a place among the Ortalidae, 

 and this view is held by Roeder, who had the advantage, not pos- 

 sessed by most of the other commentators, of examining a speci- 

 men. Loew, who judged from Gerstaecker's description and figure 

 alone, recognizes the affinities of the genus with both the Trypetidae 

 and Ortalidae, and places it doubtfully in the group Pyrgotinae of 

 the latter family. In this group, Toxotrypana finds very dissimilar 

 associates. Especially does it differ from the other forms placed 

 here in the shape of the head and of the antennae, the presence of 

 ocelli, the long, drawn out anal cell, the bareness of the body and 

 the monstrous ovipositor, and in an even more important character, 

 the presence of lower fronto-orbital bristles. 



Toxotrypana curviriiiulii Gerst. 



In the museum of the University of Kansas are two female speci- 

 mens of Toxotrypana cun'icauda, Gerst. received in the Gaumer 

 collection from Yucatan. One of the specimens was covered with 

 mold and in poor condition, the front being denuded of bristles. 



(117) KAN. TTNIV. QUAR. VOL. IV. NO. 2. OCT.. 1895. 



