74 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM vol. 76 



31. TIPHIA ASERICAE. new species 



Female. — Vertex with a few series of primary punctures of second- 

 degree density extending through and behind ocellar triangle, pri- 

 maries denser medially than on either side. Front highly polished; 

 groove present, though frequently interrupted; primary punctures 

 sparse, denser on anterior third, where they are evenly distributed 

 between the eyes, chiefly of second-degree density, except broadly on 

 median upper front, where density is of third degree. Impunctate 

 apex of clypeal extension poorl}^ defined by an irregular row of coarse 

 punctures, its longitudinal extension about one-third the distance 

 from apex of clypeus to base of antennae. Flagellum of antenna 

 fulvous beneath. Pronotum with its primary punctures nearly uni- 

 form in size; no definite transverse discal row or medial patch of 

 punctures; secondary pimctures sparse but well differentiated, widely 

 scattered; medial longitudinal extension of punctate area slightly 

 less than that of impunctate area. Side of pronotum without a 

 groove across the center, but with striations in this region sometimes 

 increased to short, shallow, irregular grooves. Scutum with its 

 notauli and its antero-medial groove continuous or nearly so. Meta- 

 notum densely bipunctate on its periphery, with its largest discal 

 punctures much smaller than those of the scutellum. Legs with major 

 calcarium of hind tibia widest at bend near middle ; hind basitarsus 

 with groove, shallow and extending about one-half the length of 

 joint, a group of three lanceolate spines on outside, one of which is 

 apical. Tegula thin, red, polished, transparent. Wings slightly 

 smoky. Propodeal areola almost rectangular, two and one-half to 

 three times as long as wide; carinae narrow and uniform, bordered 

 by conspicuous grooves; median carina on lowest three-fourths or 

 complete. Lower portion of sides of propodeum shagreened. with 

 patch of microscopic, appressed hairs. Posterior aspect of propo- 

 deum usually with scattered punctures antero-medially ; median 

 carina weak and flattened, sometimes complete. First abdominal 

 tergite with well-developed preapical band of coalesced punctures in 

 deep, narrow groove abruptly depressed on anterior border. First 

 sternite with lateral groove on posterior half, and a few scattered 

 punctures anteriorly. Tergites with polished impunctate margins 

 medially about 3 to 4 times the width of largest bordering punctures. 

 Pygidium uniformly reticulo-punctate on basal half, with polished, 

 impunctate emargination ; apex scarcely wrinkled, and not sha- 

 greened. Length, 8 to 8.5 mm. 



Male. — Vertex with primary punctures everywhere of third-degree 

 density. Front with rather small primary punctures, lacking usual 

 patch of punctures on lower front; preocellar patch on upi^er half 



