1868.] 173 



Although this genus is placed by Hartig in his section 1, — " Area 

 radialis angusta, areola basalis," — it is far from exhibiting those 

 characters typically. The system of neuration is rather transitional 

 between the elongate radial cell of Oynips, with the areolet at its base, 

 and the section of Synergus, &c., — " Area radialis brevis, lata ; areola 

 intermedia." 



According to Dahlbom (Onych. ochCallasp.Tab.Synopt., ii., p. 5, b.) 

 the two usual foveolae at the base of the scutellum are obsolete in 

 Wiodites ; this is true of Rh. rosce, but not of Rh. nervosus, in which 

 they are faintly indicated. 



These insects seem especially to aflfect the different sorts of rose- 

 trees. The males are much rarer than the females. Five species have 

 been described on the Continent : — roses, Lin. ; centifolicB, Hart. ; 

 eglanterice, Hart. ; canince, Hart. (spinosissimcB, Taschenberg, nee 

 Inchbald) ; and rosarum, Giraud. I have only met with one of these 

 in England; but to them must be added C. nervosa, Curt., which is, 

 judging from the descriptions, a distinct species. 



Ehodites, Hart., in Germ. Zeits., ii., p. 194. 

 Walk., Ent. Mag., 3, p. 167, No. xxvii. 



Rhodites rosas, Lin. 



Black ; legs reddish, the coxae, trochanters, and base of the femora 

 black. Abdomen of the $ entirely black ; wings slightly dusky, the 

 base of the radial cell incrassated, and suffused at the edges with 

 brown. Abdomen of the ? red, black at the apex ; wings darker than 

 those of the $ , a pale brown tint covers the whole of the radial cell, 

 and extends some distance beyond. Petiole $ % red. Basal foveolae 

 of the scutellum obsolete. Long. 1| — 2 ; alar. exp. 3 — 3| lin. 



This common insect needs only a passing mention here. Its gall, 

 the Bedeguar of the Rosa canina, is infested by several Chalcideous and 

 other parasites. (See Zoologist, iv, 1359 ; v, 1G61, &c.) 



Rhodites nervosus, Curt. 



? . " Black, shining, obscurely punctured and slightly pubescent ; 

 antennae 14-jointed, as long as the body, two basal joints brownish ; 

 ocelli very large ; post-scutellum rugose, with three parallel ridges ; 

 abdomen very smooth and ochreous, the lower sheath brown : wings 

 pale fuscous, iridescent, the nervures brown, edges of the marginal 

 cell suffused ; anterior legs pale ochreous, intermediate brown, hinder 

 piceous, base of all the thighs darker, apical joint of tarsi fuscous." 



"July; Dover. Distinguished from G. rosce by the large ocelli, 

 carinated scutel, dark hiud-legs, the absence of the brown splash on 

 the costa of the upper wings, and of tiie areolet." 



