444 fa:milt xi. — staptiyltn'ID.i;. 



ing processes or laeiniiv of varying shape, frequently long and slen- 

 der and decurved, resembling somewhat the forceps of an earwig, 

 often broader in the form of triangular plates. The sixth segment 

 varies also in form and sculpture, the hind margin being notched in 

 most species and the surface concave or impressed, the impression 

 often wholly or pa.rtly filled with very short, stout bristles, thus 

 forming a "spongy space." The hind margin of the sixth ventral 

 in part of the species is also pectinate or fringed on each side with 

 stiff, close-set spinules, thus forming a comb-like structure. 



In the female the front tarsi are not dilated and the last ventral 

 is (a) either entire and fringed behind with short equal spinules 

 {flavipcmiis and circumcincfits only) or {h) divided into six rather 

 long and slender processes. In the latter ease the last dorsal is tri- 

 lobed, with the middle lobe either entire, eraarginate, bifid or trifid 

 at apex. In the key the characters given pertain only to the male, 

 unless the female be mentioned specifically. 



KEY TO INDIANA SPECIES OF TACHINUS. 



II. Sixth ventral pectinate on its hind margin. 



&. Sixth ventral with a spuu^.v space on the center of the impression; 



female with middle lobe of Inst dorsal shorter than the side lobes, 



slender and feebly notched at tij). 849. memnonius. 



1)1). Sixth ventral without a spongy space at middle, very deeply emargi- 



nate, the angles prolonged. 



c. Spinules on hind margin of sixth ventral bordering the entire 



emargination ; female with middle lobe of last dorsal as long as 



the side lobes, deeply divided to form two slender processes; pic- 



eous, the sides and base of thorax paler. s.")0. rep.vndus. 



re. Sjiiiuiles divided into three groups; iiale reddish-yellow; length 



3.5 mm. schutatoe. 



<ni. Sixth ventral segment not pectinate iiu hind margin. 



<l. Form parallel; abdomen not narrowed except at tip; female as in 



repandus. paraluslus. 



dil. Abdomen gradu.-iUy narrowed from liaso to tip. 



c. Sixth ventral with a spongy sjiace on its middle. 



/. Abdomen rather cuiirsely punctured; el.vtra clay-yellow; female 



with last ventral entire, last dcu-sal with the three liilies united. 



S.'ll. rL.\VIPENNIS. 



ff. .Vliihimen very obsoletely puncturi^l ; female with middle lobe of 

 last doi-snl as long as and broader than the side lobes, the tip 

 miti-lied one-third tow.nrd l>ase. sni'. luridus. 



<■<'. Sixth ventral without a siKUigy space on its middle. 

 .(/. I'irst two ventrals strongly carinate at middle. 

 //. rroccsses of last venti'al long and curved; last dorsal with 

 four acute teeth; elytra jiali' brown, Iheir tii)s piceous; fe- 

 male with middle lobe liroad, shorter than side ones, and 

 triangularly notched at tip. sn;i. FiMnRiATi's. 



