232 BOMBTMID^E. 



Genus LEPIDANTHRAX, O.-S. 



Lepidanthrax, Osten-Sacken, Biol. Cent.-Amer., Dipt, i, p. 107 



(1886). 



Genotype, Anthrax disjuncla, Wied. ; by designation of 

 Coquillefct (1910). 



" Antennae widely separated at base, inserted quite near the 

 orbits ; 3rd joint short, onion-shaped, with a long filiform style, 

 undivided by a suture, and with a microscopic bristle at the tip. 

 Front comparatively broad in both sexes ; proboscis considerably 

 prolonged beyond oral margin, slender. Front tibiae with a 

 series of distinct spinules ou upperside, front tarsi varying in 

 structure, stout or slender, always with distinct joints; the 

 minute hairs and bristles of the underside distinctly differentiated 

 from those of the upper; no pulvilli, ungues without teeth. The 

 contact of the 4th posterior cell with the discal cell unusually long, 

 about as long as the 3rd vein issuing from the discal cell ; the 

 distal end of the discal cell is not expanded, its sides being more 

 or less parallel ; anal cell open. The sides of the abdomen are 

 fringed, not with hairs only but with real scales. 



" Lepidanthrax will be easily recognised from the genus Anthrax, 

 not only by the general appearance and colouring, but by its 

 long proboscis, the more distinct spinules on the front tibiae, and 

 the venation." (Osten-Sacken.) 



The exact generic characters as set up by Osten-Sacken are 

 quoted, but those of the antennal 3rd joint and the base of the 

 4th posterior cell appear variable. The first species referred here 

 to Lepidanthrax possesses a considerably elongate 3rd antennal 

 joint, with a moderate-sized style ending in a nearly transparent 

 microscopic stumpy thick bristle. In all other characters com- 

 jKicta fulfils the generic requirements. In the second species the 

 3rd joint and its style are nearly normal. I have not examined 

 the pubescence of the front tarsi, as being of little value, but the 

 comparatively elongate proboscis and the slight though distinct 

 difference of venation will distinguish the species. The proboscis 

 reaches forwards (in the 6 specimen) as far as the tip of the 

 face, or downwards (in the $ specimen) to a distance equal to 

 the height of the head. The face is considerably produced, and 

 the contact of the 4th posterior cell with the discal is very 

 nearly equal to that of the 3rd, whereas in all Indian species of 

 Anthrax it is never more than half that length, often ^ or | only. 

 In L. transversa this generic difference is less pronounced. The 

 species of Lepidanthrax known previously come from Central 

 America. 



The two Indian species may be differentiated thus : — 



Third abdominal segment with band of whitish 

 scales ; base of wing more or less infuscated, 

 sometimes up to anterior cross-vein compacta, sp. n. 



"Whole abdomen without whitish scales ; wing 



clear, except the yellowish subcostal cell . . transversa, sp. n. 



