Pomona Journal of Entomology 



Volume I J U N E 1 9 9 Number 2 



STUDIES IN OXYBELIDAE I 



C. F. DAKER. 



Having been engaged for many years in the collection and study of material 

 in this family, such results as have been obtained will now be published from time 

 to time. A provisional table of the genera is presented herewith. Dr. Brauns 

 has kindly sent a specimen of his South African Oxybclomorpha. It is evidently 

 closely related to Oxybclus, but possesses mandibles deeply emarginate below. 

 The sub-median cell is much shorter than the median, the transverse median 

 nervure uniting with the median much before the origin of the basal nervure ; 

 but this condition occurs also among some of our American Oxybclus. The form 

 of the scutellar armature in Oxybclomorpha is quite unique. 



We have, in America, what we suppose to be true Belomicrus, separated as 

 indicated in the following table. If our species are true Belomicrus, then the 

 Belomicrus capensis of Brauns is not. Indeed I can see no reason why capensis 

 should not be placed in true Oxybclus. as it has the spine and squamae of that 

 genus and the characteristic metanotal sculpture which so well separates all true 

 Oxvbclus from the group that wc have been calling Belomicrus. On the other 

 hand, specimens of Belomicrus Haudlirschii Brauns, and Oxybclus ligula Gerst., 

 sent by Dr. Brauns, both belong to Notoglossa. 



As we now know them, the O.xybelidae are best developed in North .\merica 

 and Europe, the few African species being quite anomalous in one way or an- 

 other. Members of the family are common in Central and South America, but 

 all of the many species of those regions which I have seen, belong in Notoglossa. 

 A. Metanotum with only fine sculpturing on the lateral faces, the lateral bound- 

 ing carinae strongly crested above squamae approximate or coalescing be- 

 hind, completely enclosing the post-scutellum, and without pointed limbs 

 or angles ; scutellum never carinate. 



Belomicrus Costa. 



AA. Metanotum with very coarse sculpturing on the lateral faces, more so above, 



the lateral bounding carinae not strongly crested above; squamae never 



coalescing behind, always leaving apex of postscutellum free, and usually 



either with pointed limbs or angled margins ; scutellum usually carinate. 



