1907.] 203 



depends largely upon nourishment in the larval stage ; and the same 

 may be said, in a less degree, of the scutellum. It will however, be 

 noticed that in those species where the female always has a distinct 

 scutellum the male is almost always winged. In some cases, e.g.^ 

 P. nifjritus and F. anthracinus, the male appears to be dimorphic. 

 P. attentus and P. transfuga I hold to be distinct species : in the 

 former the abdominal pubescence is apically diffuse, the antennae 

 basally red, apically iufuscate, and the basal abdominal segment 

 entirely red ; in transfuga the pubescence is equally dense through- 

 out, the antennse have the scape black or brown, the apex red, and 

 the basal segment has distinct dark lateral margins, interrupted by 

 the rufous spiracles. 



I differ from Mr. Morley in considering the density of the 

 abdominal pubescence a constant character and of specific value. 

 P. infermedius and P. furax : according to Forster the difference 

 between these consists in the latter having the petiolar area nearly 

 vertical instead of oblique, and more elongate antennae. Without 

 seeing the original specimens, it is not possible to decide whether 

 these details are sufficient to separate them. 



P. carnifex : it is unfortunate that this name has priority, as 

 the insect described under it is not especially typical — rufulus would 

 be preferable, both as a type and a more appropriate name. The 

 species is very variable both in size and in colour ; it certainly 

 includes the seven varieties in Mr. Morley's first section. As above 

 noted, I consider the dense apical pubescence of the abdomen 

 a specific character, and I would group Section II as a good species 

 under the name unicolor. Possibly the form languidus, having the 

 meta- longer than the meso-thorax and shorter antennse, may prove 

 distinct. 



P. corruptor and faunus : I am of opinion that these are two 

 species. It is a most difiicult case, as the differences, though plain 

 enough when the two insects are placed side by side, are almost 

 hopeless to describe in words. The males, P. insidiosus and dysalotus, 

 are correctly assigned to P. corruptor, and P. conveniens to P. faunus, 

 of which P. xenoctonus is certainly a synonym. 



P. diibitator is probably distinct, having a high, oblique petiolar 

 area, a proportionately longer fifth anteunal joint and dense apical 

 pubescence. The specimen from near Norwich, to which Mr. Morley 

 refers, is probably faunus, as the apical pubescence was especially 

 stated to be diffuse. 



