1G07] 
JOIIXSOX — GEX US BOM BY LI US 
95 
A REVIEW OE THE SPECIES OF THE CEXUS ROMRYUUS OF 
'I'lIE E.\STER\ UNTFEl) STATES. 
KV CHARLES W. JOHNSON, BOSTON, MA.SS. 
Since imikinw a .study of the types of Bomhylius lancijer ( ). S., in the Museum 
of (Yiuparative Zoology, together with a eoinparisoii of the de.seriptioii of li. mexi- 
emuis Wiecl. and philadelphicus Maecp, 1 hud that there is a mistaken ideutiheation 
of two of our eastern sjieeies, and that the specimens referred to li. hincifrr and 
philadelphicux in tlie New .ler.sey List, repre.sent two undeserihed species, while 
another undescribed form has been confounded with Julvihaxi.x INIaccj. {= atricep.^ 
Loew). 
Considering the apparently short duration of life of the adults of such readily 
recognized species as B. major, pijgmaeux, piilchcllus ami varius, the time of aiipear- 
ance undoubtedly constitutes an imjiortant factor in determining clo.sely related 
species. This feature requires a more careful study than I am now able to give, 
and while I have a large and carefully collected .scries, their relationship and time of 
appearance was not understood at the time they were collecte<l. Owing to the fact 
that they are so easily denuded, specimens should be collected with the greatest care 
for denuded specimens are neither beautiful nor u.seful. Their life histories would 
also prove an interesting line of study. As far as known they are parasitic upon bees, 
chiefly Andrena and CollHes. 
F'rom the latitude of Philadelphia northward to Massachusetts the species can 
be divided provisionally into two groups: — those appearing in the spring, and those 
which appear in the summer; B. major, pi/gmaru.x, pulchellus and fiilviha-xis repre- 
senting the spring forms, and B. mexicanus, incanus, fraudulenius, variu.s and ••iub- 
varius those of the summer. Eor B. validux I have no date of capture. 
T.able of Species. 
1. Wings with the anterior half brown, which is sinuous and sharply defined pos- 
teriorly ........... major J,. 
Wings with the basal portion brown and spotted with brown posteriorly . 2 
Wings with the basal portion brown, which is gradually evane.sccnt po.steriorly 8 
2. Wings with the spots more or less coale.scent and forming three (luite distinct 
oblicpie cross-bands ....... pulchellus Imew. 
Wings with six or seven spots on the hyaline portion . . pygmocus Fab. 
