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ét^ XXVII. Report on a colkctiooi of Bombyliidae (Diptera) 

 from Central Africa, with description of new 

 species, hy Prof. Mario Bezzi, T^irin, Italy. 



[Read October 4th, 1911.] 



Plate L. 



Through the kindness of Mr. Guy A. K. Marshall, the 

 Scientific Secretary of the African Entomological Research 

 Committee, I have received for study a very interesting 

 collection of Bombyliids from Tropical Africa. Some of 

 these beautiful flies, which may be called the butterflies 

 of the Diptera, are of economic importance on account of 

 their parasitic habits, for the larvae of several species are 

 known to prey on the egg-cases of locusts. 



The genera in the collection may be tabulated as 

 follows : — 



1 (10). Hind margin of the eyes absolutely entire, not indented and 



without a deep sinuosity ; proboscis always long. 



2 (9). First posterior cell of the wings closed. 



3 (6). Upper basal cell longer than the second one. 



4 (5). First posterior cell closed long before the hind margin of 



the wings ; basal comb of the wings distinct 



Binnhijlius, p. 60b". 



5 (4). First posterior cell closed very near the hind margin and 



strongly pointed at the end ; no basal comb at the root of 

 the costal vein .... Slsyi'ophanus, p. 611. 



6 (3). The two basal cells of equal length. 



7 (8). Face prominent, moderately pilose ; discal cell as in 



Bomhylius ..... Systoechus, p. 607. 



8 (7). Face not prominent, densely pilose ; discal cell very obtuse 



at the end ; its apical cross-vein as long as the width of the 

 first posterior cell at the same point . Anastoerhus, p. 609. 



9 (2). First posterior cell open ; basal comb of the wings not 



developed ...... Dischidus, p. 610. 



10 (1). Hind margin of the eyes indented or deeply sinuose. 



11 (12). Hind margin of the eyes deeply sinuose ; third antennal 



joint hairy above ; proboscis long ; first posterior cell as 

 in Sisyrophaiiits .... Eurycarenus, p. 613, 

 TRANS. ENT. SOC. LONP. 1911. — PART IV. (jAN.) 



