Apri], '17] SMITH: MEALY-BUG PARASITE 263 



Identity of the Species 



This parasite was at first thought to be a species of the genus Lepto- 

 mastix, a genus of which there have been recorded three species, one 

 having the mealj^-bug as its host. The insect was later studied by Mr. 

 Girault, however, through the courtesy of Dr. Howard. He found it 

 to represent a new species in the genus Paraleptoniasiix, which he had 

 only a short time before described. He named the species abnormis 

 and it was described in the Entomologist (London), vol. 48, pp. 184-185. 

 It is one of the ectromine Encyrtids, in which group occur a number 

 of important coccid parasites. 



The Adult 



The adult of Paraleptomastix abnormis Girault is very striking in 

 appearance, due to its peculiar habit of holding its wings aloft when 

 walking about, as is shown in the illustration. One wing is held in such 

 a manner that it appears to be broken at the base. The peculiar 

 banded wings are the most conspicuous part of the parasite 's anatomy 

 and will always serve to identify it among our California scale parasites. 

 For a detailed description I transcribe herewith Mr. Girault 's original 

 characterization. 



Female. — Length, 1.00 mm. 



Differs from the description of the genotype in being like species of Leptomastix 

 except that the postmarginal vein is elongate, a third longer than the lender stigmal, 

 and over thrice the length of the marginal, the latter barely twice longer than wide. 



GoldenJ yellow — often dusky yeUow — marked with dusky black as foUows : Distal 

 half to two-thirds of the abdomen, bulb of scape, cephaHc aspect of the last two pairs 

 of coxse; funicles 1 and 2, club, proximal two-thirds of pedicel above, a conspicuous 

 streak along the dorsal scape for its entire length, dorso-lateral edge; and frequently 

 the entire disk of pronotum and scutum. Rest of antennae paUid dusky, the scape, 

 abdomen, pedicel, pro- and mesopleurum silvery. Propodeum blackish except 

 laterad of the spiracle. Venation dusky. Apex of caudal wing and a longitudinal 

 obUque streak opposite the submarginal vein, dusky. Fore wing conspicuously tri- 

 fasciate, the first cross-stripe smallest, incomplete, obHqued caudo-proximad from 

 before the bend of the submarginal vein; the second is complete, broader caudad, from 

 the postmarginal vein; the third is largest, across just before the apex, not very broad, 

 divided at middle narrowly and obscurely by a less dusky streak. Pedicel somewhat 

 longer than wide at apex, somewhat shorter than funicle 1, which is two and a half 

 times longer than wide ; funicles 3 and following each being somewhat longer than 1 . 

 Club joints subequal to the pedicel. Head densely scaly punctate. Axillae with a 

 short carina between them. Scrobes distinct, not joined above. Dorsal thorax with 

 a short silvery pubescence. 



The male is about the same, but the third or distal stripe of the fore wing may be 

 nearly absent, usually distinct. The scape is more compressed, the pedicel barely 

 longer than wide, the club solid, the flagellar joints (excluding the pedicel) all some- 

 what longer and with scattered, rather long hairs, the fimicle joints shorter than the 

 club. 



