A New Rhaphiomidas of California . 



85 



the characters accorded this latter family (1. c. page 33) the genus 

 Rhaphiomidas further differs in that the third antennal joint is no- 

 composed of several segments, and the ocelli are sometimes prest 

 ent. Still this genus has evidently more aftinity with the Midasi- 

 dae than with any other family. 



The only described species, Raphiomidas episcopus, Osten 

 Sacken, occurs sparingly in Los Angeles county in midsummer, 

 hovering over flowers like a humming-bird. Only the female 

 was known to Osten Sacken ; the male agrees in all respects with 

 his description of the female (Western Diptera, page 282) except 

 that the last three abdominal segments'are destitute of black pile; 

 in both sexes each abdominal segment is bordered posteriorly 

 with yellowish. In perfect specimens the proboscis is not cleft, 

 as stated in the generic diagnosis (1. c. page 282;, and the mar- 

 ginal cross-vein between the end of the anal cell and the tip of 

 the wing is present in all of my examples. 



While on a collecting trip in the northern part of this (Los An- 

 geles) county in July last, I captured a singe male specimen of a 

 species closely related to the above, but clearly distinct. As it 

 will be easiest recognized by showing in what respects it diflers 

 Irom episcopus, I give the following comparison between these 

 two species: 



Rhaphiomidas Acton N. Sp. Rhaphiomidas Episcopus, O. S. 



Lower edge of third antennal 

 joint much less convex than 

 the upper edge. 

 Apex of third antennal joint 

 destitute of a tubercle. 



No ocelli present, their places 

 occupied by sunken, not shin- 

 ing spots. 



Bristles of posterior angles 

 of thorax and of scutellum 

 yellow. 



Abdomen shorter than the 

 wings. 



Abdomen orange-yellow, base 

 ot first two segments and a 

 medio-dorsal spot at the base 

 of the other segments black. 

 Segments 5, 6 and 7 together 

 not longer than the third. 

 Aypopygium two- filths as 

 long as the abdomen. 



Lower edge of third antennal 

 joint as convex as the upper 

 edge. 



Apex of third antennal joint 

 provided with a distinct tu- 

 bercle. 



Three convex, shining ocelli 

 present. 



Bristles of posterior angles 

 of thorax and of scutellum 

 black. 



Abdomen half the length of 

 the hypopygium longer than 

 wings. 



Abdomen black, posterior 

 margin of each segment yel- 

 lowish. 



Segments 5, 6 and 7 together 

 much longer than the third. 

 Hypopygium one-fourth as 

 long: as the abdomen. 



